17th annual Florida State Bluegrass Festival

Forest Capital State Park • April 4-6, 2019 2019 Florida State Bluegrass Festival page 2

FREE ADMISSION for all Taylor County residents The 17th annual Florida State Bluegrass Festival MoonPies as they can starting at 2 p.m. in front of the “Festival-goers will have the opportunity for ‘endless promises everything from sweet treats (MoonPies!) to main stage. sampling’ at just $5 per person.” spicy fun (chili anyone?). “We remind local fans we are offering free Musical entertainment begins Thursday with an “In More than 6,000 MoonPies will be given away admission for Taylor County residents. You can pick the Spotlight” open mic session starting at 6 p.m. during the festival, which opens this Thursday, April 4, up your free tickets at the ticket booth when the festival Friday’s musical line-up hits the stage beginning at and continues through Sunday, April 7. opens Thursday. Residents must present a Florida ID 2 p.m. “A truck full of MoonPies arrived in Taylor (driver’s license) to receive the free passes.” On Saturday, the entertainment begins at noon, County Monday and will be given out free to the Regular ticket prices are $30 in advance for a with the closing band at 9 p.m. crowd on Saturday by our MoonPie Princesses, their weekend pass and $35 at the gate for out-of-town A Kids’ Zone with bounce houses -- and free courts and our Bluegrass Sweethearts,” Festival visitors. Admission for children 18 and under is free. admission -- will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Coordinator Dawn Taylor said. The festival also features a Chili Cook-Off on Saturday as well. 2019 MoonPie Princesses Kelsea Croft and Tatum Saturday with cooks competing for cash prizes and A Gospel Sing is also planned Sunday, starting at Padgett will lead their court in passing out as many bragging rights. 10 a.m. ‘Stringtime with the Sheriff ’ Sit and pick a spell Friday night... Sheriff Wayne Padgett invites local musicians and “pickers” to join him at the Florida State Bluegrass Festival Friday, April 5, for a “Stringtime” session from 6-7 p.m. “Join us around the stage for some down-home country and . Bring your instrument and let’s have a good time,” Padgett said. If you would like to join the picking group, please call (850) 843-4834. “Stringtime” will be held at the main stage at Forest Capital Park. Sheriff Wayne Padgett 2019 Florida State Bluegrass Festival page 3 Taylor County Chili Challenge Saturday at High noon Proceeds benefit Special Olympics & ‘Shop with a Cop’ Chili Challenge is Sat. at Forest Capital Park WANTED: Legendary chili State Bluegrass Festival to host the outlaws for the ultimate savory 17th annual Taylor County Chili stew showdown at high noon. Challenge at Florida Capital Park The Perry Police Department this Saturday. has joined forces with the Florida The registration fee is $30 per entry, with all the proceeds benefiting local Special Olympics athletes and the annual “Shop with a Cop” program. Each contestant must cook and provide a minimum of two gallons of chili at the time the contest begins for judging and serving. Check-in is at 11 a.m. and serving begins at noon. Winners will take home prizes in three categories: Best Chili, Most Unique and People’s Choice. Festival-goers will be able to purchase a commemorative cup for “endless samples of chili” for just $5. For more information and an April 6 application, please visit the Taylor County Chamber of Commerce or http://www.floridastatebluegrass. com/. 2019 Florida State Bluegrass Festival page 4

Kenny Stinson and Perfect Tym’n will perform Friday at 2 and 5 p.m. Kenny Stinson brings the family Kenny Stinson is a man who has down the road, bringing Kenny’s early age with his family band. In been in the bluegrass world for dream full circle with a family addition to , he also plays most of his life. He got his start band of his own. dobro, , bass and piano. at the age of 5, playing Gavin Stinson, Kenny’s son, When off from Perfect Tym’n, he in jam sessions at festivals with began playing the guitar as a still plays with his family or with his dad, Clay Stinson, and uncle, child on stage with his dad and just his wife. Clyde Stinson. grandparents. Gavin mimicked Completing the group is Ronda They eventually started their his dad’s actions, which made him Stinson, Kenny’s wife and Gavin’s own family band, The Bluegrass into the showman he is today. mom, who joined the group bring Inspirations, playing festivals and On banjo, Perfect Tym’n a new sound to the Perfect Tym’n churches across the United States. has brought in another young band. Her background is not in the They traveled for many years talented man, Sam Crabtree from bluegrass world, but in southern until his parents were ready to Chattanooga, Tenn. He got his gospel music. Although when retire from the road. Stinson then start playing banjo at the age of she met Kenny she did not like became a sideman to numerous 13 and is also a versatile musician, bluegrass music at all, together greats for many years before playing the mandolin, guitar, they have created their own sound deciding to launch his own band, and pedal steel. that she has grown to love. Kenny Stinson & Perfect Tym’n. Coming in on guitar is Daniel For more information about the His wife and son joined the band Norton, who started playing at an band, visit www.perfecttymn.com. 2019 Florida State Bluegrass Festival page 5 Remington Ryde is one of the busiest bands on the circuit Remington Ryde has become Frankhouser on guitar and lead with Pinecastle Records. The first eight Society for the Preservation Johnny Cash Hideaway Farm one of the busiest bands on the vocals, Billy Lee Cox on banjo, release entitled “A Storyteller’s of Bluegrass Music of America and Storyteller’s Museum in Bon bluegrass circuit over the past five Stanley Efaw on mandolin and Memory” was a tribute album to (SPBGMA) award nominations, Aqua, Tenn. years, performing more than 120 tenor vocals and Ron Truman on James King. The album has done including for “Entertainers of the The future has a lot in store for dates a year throughout the United bass. well, with several songs hitting the Year.” Remington Ryde. States and Canada. In 2017, Remington Ryde Bluegrass charts. In 2018, the band signed a For more information, visit The band is led by Ryan signed a major recording contract Since 2016, the band has had three-year contract with The remingtonrydeband.com.

Remington Ryde will take the stage Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. Florida State Bluegrass Band is what fans expect Ernie Evans and The Florida Florida State Bluegrass Band is State Bluegrass Band represent rapidly gaining a widespread fan what fans expect from bluegrass base across the United States. music today -- an ability to bridge The band consists of Ernie the gap between contemporary and Evans (vocals, mandolin, guitar, traditional styles. banjo), Josh Griffin (vocals, guitar, Known for their strong lead banjo), Isaac Taylor (vocals, banjo, vocals, classic hits, and ability guitar) and Debi Evans (vocals, to entertain their audiences, The bass).

The Florida State Bluegrass Festival will perform Friday at 3 and 7 p.m. 2019 Florida State Bluegrass Festival page 6

The Appalachian Road Show, featuring two of bluegrass music’s greatest talents, Barry Abernathy and Darrell Webb (above), will take the stage at the Florida State Bluegrass Festival on Saturday at 1 and 6 p.m. 2019 Florida State Bluegrass Festival page 7 The roots run deep in the Appalachian Road Show Appalachian Road Show is a instrumental powerhouse band, left hand. Because of his hand, session musician as well as & The Rage, Wildfire, and Michael collaborative effort, decades in the Mountain Heart. Abernathy is also he approaches the fingerboard an International Bluegrass Cleveland & Flamekeeper. making, between two of bluegrass known for his contributions to both from the top and does the fretting Music Association (IBMA) and With Appalachian Road Show, music’s greatest talents, Barry Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and with his thumb and the end of SPBGMA award winner. The Abernathy, Webb and their Abernathy and Darrell Webb. IIIrd Tyme Out. his single-knuckled index finger. mandolin master with the soaring talented compadres (including Their Appalachian roots run In addition to his truly great The Georgia-born Abernathy was tenor previously headed up his fiddle beast, Jim VanCleve, and as deep as the West Virginia coal voice, Abernathy plays a blistering named “Banjo Player of the Year” own eponymous band and, prior to legendary upright bassist, Todd mines and their musical stylings banjo. The most unlikely thing in 1997 by the Society for the that, worked with some of the top Phillips) seek to honor the music, stand as tall as the Georgia pines. about Abernathy’s story is his Preservation of Bluegrass Music acts in acoustic music, including traditions and history of the Abernathy was a founding having been born with just a thumb of America (SPBGMA). Lonesome River Band, J.D. Crowe great Appalachian people and member of the vocal and and part of an index finger on his Webb is a Grammy-nominated & The New South, Rhonda Vincent region. 2019 Florida State Bluegrass Festival page 8 The Grascals have a bond forged in friendship, music Great musicians will always find one that, more often than not, goes been forged at the intersection mingling of bluegrass and country Their cutting-edge, modern a way to make good music, but beyond the purely musical to the of personal friendships, shared music that has been a hallmark of bluegrass is delivered with a deep for great musicians to make great personal. professional resumes and an the Nashville scene for more than ➟ Please see page 12 music, they must form a bond – For The Grascals, that bond has appreciation for the innovative 40 years.

Three-time Grammy nominees The Grascals will take the stage Saturday at 4 and 9 p.m. 2019 Florida State Bluegrass Festival page 9 Mile Twelve rooted in traditional bluegrass Although their sound is rooted in band member Evan Murphy. traditional bluegrass, Mile Twelve “I hope people take away that surveys a broader landscape on songwriting and arranging really their newest album, “City on a matter. It’s about the material Hill.” All five band members and playing it in a way that feels bring their own influences and honest. This album isn’t political in observations into the music, the sense that we’re beating people resulting in a project that feels over the head with anything, we contemporary, thoughtfully crafted just tried to tell stories that feel and relevant. authentic.” “Original bluegrass music, The album title alludes to the written and played by young ➟ Please see page 13 people, is very much alive,” said

Mile Twelve will take the festival stage Friday at 4 and 8 p.m. 2019 Florida State Bluegrass Festival page 10 MoonPie Princesses & Bluegrass Sweethearts MoonPie Princesses Tatum Padgett and Kelsea Croft will be joined by members of their courts and this year’s Bluegrass Sweethearts Saturday, April 6, at Forest Capital Park to hand out more than 6,000 free MoonPies, starting at 2 p.m. The 2019 Bluegrass Sweethearts include: (5-6) Emma DeVane, Ja’Siya McQuay, Kabrie Palmer, Gemma Stanley, Aubrey Allen, Taylor Chaney, Christy Freeman, Sophia Montgomery, Emilia Sirmones, Rilee Walker, Zyla Brooks, Giselle Cherry, Aria Dunnell, Chrissy Irvin, Carlie Nash and Jordyn Sneed; (7-8) McKinzie Harris, Hannah Tomlinson, Merci Coleman, Tori Howard, Allison Parker, Lexie Welch, Honesty Green, Ashlee Sparkman, Rayle Harris and Avery Dunnell.

(7-8-year-old division) 2019 MoonPie Princess Kelsea Croft (second from (5-6-year-old division) 2019 MoonPie Princess Tatum Padgett (third from left) and members of her court (l to r): first runner-up Destiny Jackson, left) and members of her court (l to r): first runner-up Kiley Kinsey, third third runner-up Lainey Lovett and second runner-up Ashton Sheffield. runner-up Nataliegh White and second runner-up Morgan McKinney. 2019 Florida State Bluegrass Festival page 11 Brad Hudson wants the audience to feel Brad Hudson is a multi- & Carolina Road, recording with accomplishments and band to support his new album and it’s all good as long as it is a instrumentalist with a highly them on their “Country Grass” opportunities have left Hudson looks forward to putting them on reflection of what’s inside you recognizable, soulful voice and a project. with a wealth of experience to the stage and pleasing audiences and makes the audience feel resume that speaks volumes about Hudson also toured with gospel bring to his own band, a challenge nationwide. something,” Hudson said. his bluegrass and gospel music greats Jeff and Sheri Easter, during that he feels completely ready for. “I love this music so much. For more information, visit skills. which he played guitar, banjo, He has assembled a great stage Traditional, gospel, contemporary, www.bradhudsonmusic.com. In addition to performing with dobro, mandolin, fiddle and bass, the Parton family at Dollywood, as well as singing for the group. Hudson has opened for many He learned a lot from, and got to country stars at the Grand Ole do so much for, the Gaither TV Opry, such as Collin Raye and stars and Grammy-nominated . He also toured artists. nationwide with Lorraine Jordan All of these amazing

Brad Hudson is a multi-instrumentalist with a highly recognizable, soulful voice. He will perform at the Florida State Bluegrass Festival on Saturday at 3 and 8 p.m. 2019 Florida State Bluegrass Festival page 12 Festival closes with Relevant, yet immersed in values of soul, music Sunday gospel sing GRASCALS earned three Grammy nominations Continued from page 8 and two “Entertainer of the Year” Jan Ladd, along with her husband, Larry Ladd, will bring the festival awards from the International weekend to a close on Sunday with a gospel sing. knowledge of, and admiration for, Bluegrass Music Association, as Festival-goers are invited to enjoy a short service with a wonderful the work of the music’s founding well as national media attention gospel sing that everyone participates in. They supply song books and fathers. Timely, yet timeless, that seems to perpetually elude provide accompaniment. Jan also encourages everyone to bring an The Grascals make music that is acts entrenched in niche genres. instrument if they have one, a voice to sing along, or just the ears to listen entirely relevant to the here and Such appearances include The and be blessed. In the past, as everyone parts and begins their journey now, yet immersed in traditional Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Fox home, many talk about this experience being what brought them back or values of soul and musicianship. & Friends, The Late Late Show had them looking forward to the next festival. Jan Ladd It’s a unique sound that has with Craig Ferguson and CBS’ The Talk. All the while, stages that represent the strongest bastions of tradition continually welcome them, as evidenced by over 150 performances at the . Honors also include performing twice for President George W. Bush and at President ’s inaugural ball at the Smithsonian. As their records prove, The Grascals’ rare musical empathy gives them an unerring ear for just the right touch to illuminate each offering’s deepest spirit – whether they’re digging into one of their original songs or reworking a bluegrass classic or a pop standard. Take for instance, fan favorite, “Last Train to Clarksville.” Non- bluegrass listeners enjoy a new take on a familiar song, while die- hard bluegrass audiences who may have never heard the Monkees classic, respond in-kind, not even realizing that the song has been Grascalized.

Kristin Scott Benson 2019 Florida State Bluegrass Festival page 13 Band members met at a Cambridge dive bar MILE TWELVE Benedict wrote the instrumental were far from anyone’s minds Route 93, the city’s main artery. Murphy praises the mastery of Continued from page 9 track, “Rialto.” when Murphy, Sabat, Keith- It’s a road sign they’ve passed Gillian Welch and Jason Isbell for “We all inspire each other Hynes, and Bowness started countless times while heading out their ability to tell a fully-realized idealized imagery of a shining city and recognize that everyone has crossing paths at house parties and on tour. Through an active social story within the confines of a three- on a hill – a historical phrase that different strengths,” Murphy pick-up gigs in Boston. In time, media audience and radio support minute song. has often been applied to Boston, says. “What makes this band so they recognized each other as from terrestrial stations and Sirius These influences shine through where the band got its start. Murphy collaborative is that everyone in the regulars at a Cambridge dive bar XM, the band has found receptive in City on a Hill, but at the core added, “We realized that many of band can do something at a really called The Cantab Lounge during audiences across the globe, touring the album is a representation of the characters in these songs were high level. That’s the balance. Tuesday night bluegrass jams. In all over North America as well as the band’s emerging voice. “We in crisis, had been failed in some We’re all challenging each other.” 2014, they decided to start their Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, decided to record this album as way, or were failing themselves. “City on a Hill” follows multiple own band. By gathering grassroots and Japan. live and authentically as possible,” It’s an unintentional theme but it IBMA Momentum Awards, and industry support, they were Asked about the band’s Murphy says. “There was no came out in the songwriting.” presented by the International well on their way when Benedict, influences, Murphy cites Alison metronome, no filler material, no The Mile Twelve lineup offers Bluegrass Music Association to who was living in Nashville at the Krauss & Union Station for smoke and mirrors. It was very five of the most promising young emerging bluegrass artists. Mile time, relocated to Boston to join their precise arrangements and real, you know? We all feel that the musicians in bluegrass: David Twelve won the band category in the band in 2016. execution, the Del McCoury Band end result is an honest statement of Benedict (mandolin), Catherine 2017, shortly before releasing their The band takes their name for their grit and groove, and the who we are.” “BB” Bowness (banjo), Bronwyn debut album, “Onwards.” from the mile marker that sits Punch Brothers for their genre- For more information, visit Keith-Hynes (fiddle), Evan The following year, Keith- at Boston’s southern border on bending virtuosity. As for writing, www.miletwelvebluegrass.com. Murphy (guitar, lead vocals), and Hynes and Benedict secured Nate Sabat (bass, lead vocals). All IBMA Momentum Awards in are credited as songwriters because instrumental categories, while everyone in the band helped shape the band earned two major IBMA the material throughout the writing Award nominations for “Emerging and arranging process. Murphy and Artist” and “Instrumental Sabat initiated most of the lyrical Performance of the Year” in 2018. ideas for City on a Hill while Those kind of accomplishments Thursday is open mic The Florida State Bluegrass Festival will kick off Thursday evening with the “In the Spotlight” Open Mic Night. Those who wish to take the stage at the Heritage Pavilion at Forest Capital State Park. For more information, contact the Perry-Taylor County Chamber of Commerce at (850) 584-5366 or visit the chamber tent on the festival grounds. 2019 Florida State Bluegrass Festival page 14

Local Republicans host ‘Meet & Greet’ Saturday at festival Taylor County Republicans will host a “Meet & Greet” with candidates in the House District 7 seat race Saturday, April 6, at the Florida State Bluegrass Festival. Republican candidates Lynda Bell, Virginia Fuller, Jason Shoaf and Mike Watkins will be at the local Republicans’ booth from noon to 4 p.m.

Let’s BOUNCE Kids’ zone features a bubble station, art contest and free MoonPies Saturday The 17th annual Florida Additional attractions include a State Bluegrass Festival will bubble station, finger painting art feature a free “Kids’ Fun Zone” contest and free MoonPies. Saturday, April 6, compliments of The Kids’ Fun Zone, open from Buckeye Community Federal 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., will also include Credit Union. bounce houses. Admission is free for children Look for the zone “under the (ages 18 and under). pines” at Forest Capital State Park. 2019 Florida State Bluegrass Festival page 15 Festival recognized as top event Top 20 in Southeast Southeast Tourism Society (STS) named the Florida State Bluegrass Festival as one of the STS Top 20 Events in the Southeast for April 2018. Travel industry experts select 20 events per month, and STS publicizes them throughout the United States. The complete list is published on two websites: Southeast Tourism Society and Travel Media Press Room. The Florida State Bluegrass Festival has been recognized by STS in the past for a Top 20 Event in 2012, 2014 and 2016. The local festival has also been recognized by the International Bluegrass Music Association Mandolin ~ Banjo ~ Guitar as one of the best events in the United States. Free music workshops offered Saturday with festival admission Musicians of all skill levels are A mandolin workshop will be by the top musicians in their invited to take part in workshops held at 10 a.m., followed by a respective fields,” Coordinator planned during the 17th annual banjo workshop at 11 a.m. Dawn Taylor said. Florida State Bluegrass Festival at A guitar workshop at noon will All sessions will be held at the Forest Capital State Park. round out the schedule. Perry Garden Club, located behind The workshops are free with “Our workshops will be led the main stage. festival admission and will be held Saturday, April 6.

Cloverbud Cloggers hit the stage Saturday The Baker County 4-H Cloverbud Cloggers will make a special guest appearance at the 17th annual Florida State Bluegrass Festival Saturday, April 6. The group will take the stage at noon.