The Kody Norris Show at the spring 2026 Withlacoochee Bluegrass Festival – photo © Bill Warren
The spring edition of the 2026 Withlacoochee Bluegrass Festival has finished its run with a perfect weather weekend. Sunshine and warm weather was the order of the days. I caught up with promoters Danny and Christa Stewart on Saturday evening just before the final act. Both were exhausted but smiling.
CJ McClellan was the MC on Friday while Libby Lindblom and Mike Robinson split the MC duties on Saturday. Jackson Bethune Sound received many compliments from all of the bands. He was assisted by Luke Lindblom.
Friday kicked off with Larry Efaw & the Bluegrass Mountaineers. Larry takes an audience back to the mountain sounds of the Stanley Brothers. The announcement of the Stanley Brothers entrance into the Country Music Hall of Fame came during their set. Stanley Efaw, a current Clinch Mountain Boy, was filling in with the band. That put three generations of the Efaw family on stage – Larry, his son Stanley, and his grandson Chris Wilcox.
Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike has a unique style. Valerie has a soulful voice that is perfect for her original music. She featured songs from Maggie’s Journal, her project that is based on Val’s great grandmother’s journal. Little Roy Lewis brought his autoharp to the stage for one of the band’s tunes.
Then the explosion that is the Little Roy & Lizzy Show hit the stage. Roy has more energy at 84 years young than most 20-year-olds! Mandolinist and former band member Doug Flowers filled in for Matthew Songmaker. Matthew was at Carnagie Hall with Rhonda Vincent in celebration of the Grand Ol Opry 100th year. Lizzy dryly commented that it was a good reason for Matthew to have the weekend off.
The Kody Norris Show closed out the Friday festivities. The band is sporting new rhinestones for their “Spirit of America” tour. The outfits are Americana from top to bottom featuring the Liberty Bell, the Statue of Liberty, and flag motifs.
Fast Track kicked off Saturday’s festivities. This band of veterans always gives full measure, a group with probably 200 years of experience. Dale Perry is the premier bass singer in bluegrass. He rattles the windows with his low notes. Dale demonstrated the latest Goldtone banjo and pronounced it a really good one. Shayne Bartley was sporting a “new” 1920 Gibson mandolin.
The Chris Davis Band is a new band I had the honor of covering at their first show at Years of Farming. Withlacoochee was the band’s first festival performance. This is one group that needs to be seen.
The Wyatt Ellis Band is another new band. Alex Leach (unbelievably) is the old veteran of this band. The rest of the band are teenagers with tons of musical talent. The band was joined by 93 year old Jim Thompson for a tune. Jim drove to Florida from Knoxville to see the band. He has been a mentor to Wyatt and Alex. Put this group on your must-see list.
Newfound Road closed out the festival. They started 25 years ago but went on hiatus around 2013. Tim Shelton has brought the band back along with original member, Junior Williams. The words “powerful” and “powerhouse” were heard around the venue. The band gives its audience a ride from hardcore bluegrass to bluesy songs to wide open musical tributes. See them if they are in your area.
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