Kevin Prater Band at the spring 2026 Withlacoochee Bluegrass Festival – photo © Bill Warren
Day one of the spring edition of the Withlacoochee Bluegrass Festival was a good one, with Florida sunshine, good fans, and excellent music. Danny and Christa Stewart have put together an outstanding lineup where CJ McClellan holds down the MC duties. Jackson Bethune Sound has rapidly become one of the best sound companies.
Mountain Highway continues their Florida tour. They are in their tenth year as a band. They tour all around the country in addition to being a regular at Dollywood. See Emily, Victoria, and the “Grumpy Old Man” if they are in your area.
Kenny Stinson & Perfect Tymin’ are a Withlacoochee staple. They bring their high energy sound and family harmonies to every stage they play.
Kevin Prater is leading his band for the 17th year. He has traveled the roads for 45 years as a professional musician, 12 years as as part of the James King Band. His current guitar player, Dalton Smith, has brought some of the James King music to the band. It’s almost haunting when Kevin leans into the tenor on songs like Echo Mountain.
The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys closed out day one. They are in their twelfth year and are a mainstay of the traditional sound. Eb Saunders joined them to play twin fiddles with Max Silverstein on a tune.
There are two more days of top notch music on the schedule with the likes of Larry Efaw, Valerie Smith, Little Roy and Lizzy, and Kody Norris on Friday. Saturday welcomes Fast Track, Chris Davis, Newfound Road, and Wyatt Ellis to the stage.
Support your local music venues.
