Tag: Palatka Bluegrass Festival

The Palatka Bluegrass Festival had nearly picture perfect weather for their Spring 2022 event. It did get a little chilly Saturday evening, but there was not a cloud in the sky.

Remedy Tree opened the Friday show. They showcase some really good old time fiddling and music.

Darren Nicholson brought his band to the show. He has fronted this group for sixteen years, when Darren is not out with Balsam Range. Darren’s outsized personality and smile light up the stage. Darren, Justin Mason, and Clarence Canada hosted the Moonlight Jam after the stage show. Larry Stephenson and his band members joined in for a big jam enjoyed by all.

The Gibson Brothers followed. They introduced some new music along with some old favorites. Leigh announced that he had carpal tunnel surgery less then two weeks ago. He never missed a beat. Colby Kilby was with the band playing mandolin and some guitar.

The Martins put on a Gospel show and provided personal testimonies, showing out with great sibling harmonies.

Larry Stephenson joined MC Sherry Boyd to introduce the Gibson Brothers for their evening show.

Saturday dawned bright and sunny with Retro 78 opening the stage show. It was immediately apparent why they won the most recent SPBGMA band contest. They describe themselves as playing bluegrass in the ’70s style. They give full measure of hard driving bluegrass music.

Darren Nicholson was joined by his wife Jennifer in his Saturday set. They sang a stirring duet.

A trip around the grounds showed quite a number of vendors. Several different types of food and several craft vendors were on hand. The Ranch boys are learning blacksmithing and were selling their wares. Root beer floats are always popular as is homemade ice cream. Girl Scout Troop 33009 was selling cookies to help fund an upcoming trip. The CFO of Candidpix said that the Purchasing Department may have overbought! 😊

Zink and Company are entertainers of the best kind. Corey Zink does a blend of traditional country and bluegrass music. He said that he liked donuts – it snowballed! “What kind of donuts?” from the audience. “Round ones!” says Corey. What he didn’t know was that a donut vendor was on the grounds. A bucket of donuts hit the stage just before the set was done!

There are few superlatives left to describe Rhonda Vincent. Great music, hardworking, smiling, funny, crowd pleaser, fan favorite – the list is endless. The most recent title is grandmother. Congratulations! She did bring the house down with banter between herself and the band. She asked Hunter if he was recording “American Idol.” He shook his head no and said that Rhonda was the only American Idol for him. The audience roared and Jeff got a tissue and wiped the tip of Hunter’s nose. Rhonda continued on about the sunny Florida weather. Mickey piped up that Rhonda was the only sunshine he needed. The audience again roared. Aaron retrieved another tissue and wiped the tip of Mickey’s nose. Mickey then said that you can tell who has been in the band longest – Hunter 20 years and Mickey 19. Rhonda asked Zack if he was taking notes. That set the audience off again!

Rita Parker made a quilt for the Ranch to raffle and Nancy Bryan won this beautiful keepsake.

Roscoe Canady was a well known Florida bluegrass musician who passed several years ago. His widow, Rosalee, has remained active in Florida. A couple of years ago she sold one of his less expensive mandolins to Bryce Griffin. She has watched this young man of 15 turn into a really good mandolin player. Ernie Evans invited Bryce to join him on stage and talked about his musical abilities. Rosalee joined them and presented Bryce the hand built mandolin that Roscoe used on tour. There were smiles and tears of joy all around. I caught up to Rosalee and Bryce backstage. He was pickin’ and grinnin’!

Rhonda invited a youngster named Molly to join her in singing If You Don’t Love God. This is another of the wonderful things that Rhonda does for the kids.

Evans Media Source donated a guitar to be raffled as a fundraiser for the Ranch. An astounded Sherry Boyd drew Norman Adams ticket as the winner! Norman donated the guitar back to the Ranch. Executive director, Brad Hall, has started the boys on guitar lessons. Ranch founder, Homer Rodeheaver, was the song leader for evangelist Billy Sunday, so the ranch has a musical legacy. Brad feels the guitar lessons and the music festivals are extremely valuable in ranch life. His goal is for each youngster that learns to play guitar to have one to take with him when his time at the ranch is over. All of us can be a part of that endeavor.

The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys closed out the festival. These guys and gal have a chemistry on stage that few bands ever find which provides a riveting show. I have watched Jereme and Josh grow up. They used to come to Michigan with Jereme’s dad’s band when they were 12 or 13 years old. Tommy would have them on stage for a song or two. Now they are grown men with one of the most in-demand bands in bluegrass.

EMS will host the Florida Classic this weekend in Brooksville, Florida. Join us there for another weekend of great music.

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The Rodeheaver Boys Ranch is one of the special venues for bluegrass festivals. It was established in 1950 and provides a home for boys that need guidance. It is completely funded by non-government donations. The ranch motto is “It is better to build boys than to mend men.”

Ranch director Brad Hall welcomed everyone to the festival. Norman and Judy Adams started offering both fall and spring bluegrass festivals a number of years ago at the ranch. Ernie and Debi Evans are now the promoters.

Day 1 of the 2022 Spring Palatka Bluegrass Festival was kicked off by Deeper Shade of Blue. They are one of the most in-demand bands on tour. They are spending two days at the festival, and hosted the Moonlight Jam after the stage show along with Clarence Canada and Justin Mason. The Moonlight Jam is a new feature of Evans Media Source festivals. A festival band or bands host a jam and invite all the campground musicians to join in. It has become a favorite activity.

Chosen Road followed. They are a well known bluegrass Gospel band. They are great supporters of the ranch goals and are a first time band for me. I thoroughly enjoyed their music. They brought Carley Arrowood Thrailkill to play fiddle with them., who has formed her own band, The Carley Arrowood Band.

The Larry Stephenson Band is always a crowd pleaser. Larry said that he played the first Palatka festival. He pays homage to the Osborne Brothers and Bill Harrell at every show. His is one of the most recognizable voices in bluegrass music.

The Malpass Brothers closed out the stage show with their excellent classic country program. Larry Stephenson was invited to join them for a song on each set. It made for a top flight trio! They have become a favorite at many festivals, and will be hosting their first festival in Denton, North Carolina, taking the reins of what was the Doyle Lawson festival.

Friday and Saturday will have Remedy Tree, Deeper Shade of Blue, The Darren Nicholson Band, The Gibson Brothers, The Martins, Corey Zink. The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, and Rhonda Vincent.

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Ernie and Debi Evans are now the promoters of the Spring Palatka Bluegrass Festival held at the Rodeheaver Boys Ranch in Palatka, Florida. Norman and Judy Adams have retired, but are mentoring Ernie and Debi through this year.

MC Sherry Boyd opened the show with an open mic session Thursday.

Geoffery Keyes manned the sound board for Blue Ridge Sound, with Jackson and Zack handling the on stage duties.

Springfield Exit kicked off the stage show. Linda Lay has one of the truly magic voices in bluegrass music. She is surrounded by well-seasoned talent – her husband, David Lay, David McLaughlin, and Troy Engle. Carl Jackson joined for a tune during the evening set.

The Primitive Quartet was up next. They have been inspiring audiences with their bluegrass Gospel music for 47 years. Reagan Riddle has been battling pneumonia and was back for his first show in a while. Brother Mike sang most of Reagan’s parts, but Reagan did do a couple tunes during their evening set.

IBMA Entertainer of the Year, Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers, followed. Joe has brought what started out as a part-time gig to help promote his radio stations, to the very pinnacle of the bluegrass world. Congratulations to mandolin player, Mike Terry, on the birth of his granddaughter a week ago!

Carl Jackson, Larry Cordle, and Jerry Salley then brought their great show to the Palatka stage. They not only sing many of the wonderful songs they have written, but also provide the backstories of the songs. These stories make the songs even more meaningful.

The Malpass Brothers closed out the day’s entertainer with top-flight vintage country music. They also brought 14 year old Katie O on stage to sing a couple tunes. One word – WOW! Chris and Taylor understand the importance of encouraging youngsters who have a love for the music.

Ted Lehmann has been a dear friend for many years. He and I have had a running “competition” – getting a picture of the other one napping. Well – I am up one!!

Friday saw Sherry bring Bandana Rhythm to open the entertainment. They are a family band from North Carolina. They are becoming a crowd favorite at Evans Media Source festivals.

The Dry Branch Fire Squad always spends two days entertaining at Palatka. This year was a little unusual as bassist Jeff Byrd had a serious medical issue between Friday’s sets. He did receive a stent Friday evening and is recovering nicely. The band soldiered on and performed their sets on Saturday. Ron Thomason thanked everyone for all the concern shown for Jeff.

Penny Creek is a Florida band that is commanding attention throughout the region, a five-piece band that can feature all five as lead singers.

The Gibson Brothers followed. Their brother harmony keeps every audience wanting more. The brotherly banter is always entertaining – mostly at Eric’s expense. Eric did get one good shot in. Leigh said he ought to get his wife a bald eagle for a present. Eric said: “she already has one.” The audience roared!

Jimmy Fortune closed the Friday show with his many hits from his time with the Statler Brothers and the songs he has written.

Preacher Mike and Mary Rose Robinson had a morning Gospel sing on Saturday. They were followed by a showcase from the “Duck Wallow Lane” band.

Then The Dry Branch Fire Squad took the stage. Ron Thomason always puts forth folksy wisdom that comes from his heart. “I told you that to tell you this,” is one of his lead-ins to what will surely be a pearl.

The U.S. Navy Band Country Current was unable to make the show. Florida band, Born Lonesome, did a good job filling in.

The Little Roy and Lizzy show blasted onto the stage as they always do. Andy Stinnett is the new guitar player for the show. Roy still has more energy than most young men. Lizzy is in recovery mode from surgery, and uses a chair when she performs. It certainly does not affect her playing or singing. She brought a 10 year old youngster to the stage to do a couple tunes. Lizzy appreciates all that was done for her in her younger days, and believes in doing the same for other youngsters.

The Lonesome River Band put on a top flight show. Barry Reed had the tin roof of the pavilion rattling with his bass! There are few adjectives left to describe the excellence of LRB.

Norman and Judy Adams were honored by the staff of the Ranch with a commemorative brick in front of the Ranch Cafeteria and a handmade lap quilt. Ernie Evans thanked everyone for their support and thanked Norman and Judy for their mentorship.

Rhonda Vincent closed out the festival in her wonderful way. She introduced a young man from Oklahoma, Vernon Lee Johnson, who had gone on a country cruise that she was on.  He sang a couple vintage country numbers with her, and did a super job. Rhonda spent all of the supper break greeting fans, signing autographs, and posing for pictures. She is very generous with her time!

The Florida Bluegrass Classic begins Tuesday evening in Brooksville, Florida. It is an Evans Media Source festival. Join CandidPix.info there for great music and fellowship.

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Whenever Doyle Lawson and Del McCoury appear on the same day at a festival – well just wow! That was the case on Friday at the February Palatka Bluegrass Festival.

The day started with a couple of open mic performances. The first couple represented the Oregon Bluegrass Association and provided several old time tunes. Geoffrey Keyes worked the stage despite losing an argument with a table saw. He told me: “The fingers are throbbing a little.”

Summer Brooke and Mountain Faith opened the stage show. They were short-handed due to some illnesses. Summer, Brayden, and a cousin of theirs soldiered on. The Dry Branch Fire Squad followed. Ron Thomason can explain things in a way that leaves the audience scratching their collective heads. Here’s the first story: The bass player had left the band at the end of the year due to serious illness in his family. Ron hired Adam McIntosh, former DBFS guitar player to be the bass player. Two weeks ago the banjo player had quadruple bypass and is out for a while. So, the bass player came back for a while and Adam is filling in on banjo. Imagine Ron telling this!!

Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver were up next. Doyle has two new singers in the band, but the “Doyle Lawson sound” is alive and well. Doyle’s singing is as strong as he has in some time. Penny Creek is a band from Florida’s band east coast who are really coming into their own. They are playing a lot of local venues and working hard, and that hard work is paying dividends. Del McCoury closed out the day as only Del can. His catalog is as deep as it can be after some many years of producing hits.

Saturday opened with a Gospel sing hosted by Mike and Mary Rose Robinson. They present this at most of Norman Adams’ festivals. Gilbert Nelson was on hand to present Wernick Method jam classes. There were several open stage performances. Norman and Judy spend Saturday morning renewing reservations for next year’s festival.

The Dry Branch Fire Squad opened the stage show with another dose of Ron Thomason’s wit and wisdom. The Moron Brothers followed with good music and humorous shenanigans. The Malpass Brothers brought their vintage country music to the Palatka stage. Lardo from the Moron Brothers joined them to play bluesy harmonica in the evening show. Lizzy Long and Sally Berry joined Chris Malpass in the evening shows. Rhonda Vincent and the Rage closed out the festival. The crowd joined Rhonda in singing Happy Birthday to Hunter Berry. Rhonda is very likely the hardest working entertainer on the circuit. Every fan that wants it gets a picture with her or an autograph. Her shows are always top shelf.

Congratulations to Norman and Judy Adams for presenting another one of their great festivals.

The Candidpix.info cameras are headed to the Florida Bluegrass Classic for the next week.

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