Tag: Florida Classic

Adam Haynes and Rhonda Vincent fiddle at the 2024 Florida Classic – photo © Bill Warren

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The 2024 edition of the Florida Classic is in the books. Some wind, some rain, some sunshine, and lots of enthusiastic fans marked this bluegrass and country music event.

Swinging Bridge opened the day on Friday. They are in demand in south Florida.

Remedy Tree played two sets. Their second set came after an hour delay due to a rain storm that passed through. They did the set under the pavilion while the stage was being dried out. They played and sang without sound reinforcement, and the audience really enjoyed being up close and personal.

Rhonda Vincent and the Rage played their first set in a stiff crosswind. She said they needed to do all of their wind-related songs! Mickey Harris moved her bus to the upwind side of the stage during the supper break. It did help.

Ernie and Debi’s son Michael Evans brought his ’50s through ’70s pop show to the Classic stage. It was enjoyed by all.

Rhonda closed out the day, as the evening cooled off when the sun went down. 

Justin Mason and Blue Night opened the Saturday show. They are becoming one of Florida’s busiest bands. Justin got his love of bluegrass from his father and grandfather. He is known as “Mr. Bluegrass” in Florida.

Rebekah Speer came in from Nashville. She and Ernie toured with Valerie Smith some years ago. Shelton & Williams joined her for this show – Jay Shelton and Johnny and Jeanette Williams – who are now label mates on Turnberry Records with Rebekah. The great Jimmy Blackwood joined in on a couple of tunes. You may notice Jimmy wearing a sling. He took a tumble, but is recovering nicely.

The Gibson Brothers made their first Classic appearance in a couple years. They are as rock solid as ever. They have a new project out named Darkest Hour. They also brought along Eric Gibson’s son’s project titled The Keeping Kind. Kelley and Eric wrote all of the songs on the project. It has a country flavor with a definite Gibson sound.

The legendary Exile closed out the festival. They sang many of their hits from over the years along with songs they wrote and other groups recorded. The crowd was ready for more when they finished a truly great set of music.

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Swinging Bridge at the 2024 Florida Classic – photo © Bill Warren

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Ah, the Florida sunshine! Day 1 of the Florida Classic kicked off to bright sunshine and warm temperatures.

Sherry Boyd took the MC reins and welcomed everyone to the show.

Florida band, Sandy Back Porch, opened the show. They play bluegrass and traditional country music. They can be found at many venues throughout Florida.

Next up was The Sound. They are a Christian group based in Nashville. It is a family band featuring a father and his sons. They also brought a friend along who played keyboards. The band was originally based in Michigan. Rob Mills, father of the boys, lives about 30 miles from this photographer.

Another well known Florida band, Swinging Bridge, came to the Classic stage. The band has been together for many years. They play a combination of bluegrass and old country music. They can be seen at many venues in south Florida.

The Malpass Brothers brought their traditional country show to the Classic. Taylor’s humor had both old and new fans laughing throughout two sets of music. Many of the fans had never been introduced to Taylor’s “horse” Dexter. Dexter was in high spirits and kicked up a storm for the audience.

Terry Ridley closed out the day. His show is ’50s and ’60’s music that brings back memories of Elvis and other early rock and country musicians.

Rhonda Vincent headlines the Friday show.

The Gibson Brothers and Exile headline the Saturday show.

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The Grascals at the 2023 Florida Classic – photo © Bill Warren

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The 2023 Florida Classic has concluded. Ernie and Debi Evans can feel really good about this show. Great entertainment, perfect weather, and a big crowd always makes promoters smile.

Every band that graced the Classic stage had praise for MC Sherry Boyd. Words like “best on the planet” were used!

Justin Mason and Blue Night did their second set of the weekend. How many people do you know that live in Christmas? Blue Night fiddler Lester Canada and EMS Artist Relations Director Clarence Canada live in Christmas, Florida. Blue Night is steeped in traditional bluegrass music. Mary Kate Brennan can belt out some of the best old time country music to round out the sound.

Swinging Bridge is another Florida band that plays both traditional country music and bluegrass. They are popular at many Florida festivals.

Don Rigsby and the Fly-By-Nights is one of the good bluegrass bands that we don’t see enough. Don is a singing machine. He always delivers full measure. He was joined by Elmer Burchett, Chris Davis, and Calib Smith.

Dennis Lee and Stephanie Ann completed their two day stint at the Classic with their combination of humor and music.

The Atlantic City Boys closed out the Friday show. They are a tribute band to the late ’50s and early ’60s music in the style of Frankie Valli.

Saturday opened with the annual car show. There were vintage cars and trucks on site.

Catching the EMS sound crew all in one place at one time is a daunting task. I finally caught up to them Saturday morning. They are Rob Karaitis, Steve Holdeman, Gabe Bauman, Josh Griffin, Larry Payton, and Clarence Canada. They kept things on track in the midst of a lot of major equipment changes. Good job guys.

Florida band Remedy Tree opened the stage show. Husband and wife team of Gabriel and Abigail Acevedo anchor the band. They play a lot of old time mountain music.

Swinging Bridge played their second set of the weekend. They can be seen in a lot of Florida venues.

The Grascals put on two top notch sets of music. The band is celebrating its 19^th year. Danny Roberts, Terry Smith, and Jamie Johnson are founding members. Jamie Harper held down the fiddle spot with the departure of Adam Haynes. The Grascals Trio of Jamie Johnson, Terry Smith, and Kristin Scott Benson wowed the audience.

Adam is appearing for his first trip out with Rhonda Vincent and the Rage. Many words have been written about the “Queen of Bluegrass.” Please allow me to add “consummate professional.” She had a medical procedure earlier in the week that made playing her mandolin difficult. She soldiered on with a smile on her face.

Grand Ole Opry member Gene Watson closed out the festival with a show of his hits. He has been one of the best country singers since the mid-’60s. Rhonda joined him for a couple duets. Gene will celebrate his 80^th birthday at the Opry in October of this year.

Evans Media Source will welcome fans to the Spring Bluegrass Fest, March 23-25, at the former Sertoma Youth Ranch.

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Sideline at the 2023 Florida Classic Music Fest & Car Show – photo © Bill Warren

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There have been years at the Florida Classic where mittens, boots, and heavy coats were in order. Not this year. The temperature was close to 90 on day one, and promises more of the same for the rest of the festival. This puts a smile on promoters Ernie and Debi Evans’ faces.

The sunshine even put a hat on MC Sherry Boyd’s head!

Justin Mason and Blue Night kicked off the weekend. They are a highly sought-after Florida band. Justin is the face and voice of Florida bluegrass. He keeps everyone abreast of statewide happenings, and is joined by EMS sound tech, Josh Griffin, on banjo, Mary Kate Brennan on lead vocals, Lester Canada on fiddle, and Nico on bass.

Sideline made their next to last Florida appearance. Matt Flake filled in on fiddle. Steve Dilling announced that Jamie Harper is auditioning with the Grascals this weekend, so we will see him Saturday.

Dennis Lee is a comedian/country singer who is doing the Florida winter circuit. He was joined by fiddler, Stephanie Ann. Ron Cornett had the opportunity to interview them on his radio show.

The Malpass Brothers closed out the day’s stage show. One of their show highlights is keeping the memories of the Louvin Brothers alive. Chris has Charlie’s guitar and Taylor has Ira’s mandolin. They do several Louvin songs using those instruments.

Friday sees the return of Blue Night and Dennis Lee, along with Don Rigsby, Swinging Bridge, and the Atlantic City Boys.

Saturday features Remedy Tree, Swinging Bridge, The Grascals, Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, and country legend Gene Watson. Gene is doing his farewell tour, so get out to see him if you can.

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