By the time I met Will McLean he had already penned most of the hundreds of songs and poems he has become famous for. He’d already performed at Carnegie Hall and made friends with the late Pete Seeger. His glory days performing on the “Old Marble Stage” at the Florida Folk Festival were long since … Continue reading My Friendship With “The Black Hat Troubadour” Will McLean
Category: News
Bluesman Willie Green- The Real Deal
UPDATE: Sadly, Willie Green passed away on June 14th, 2021 at the age of 85. He will be greatly missed. The Yearling Restaurant where Willie performed for 18 years issued this statement on their website: It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing of Mr. Willie Green June 14th, 2021, at 85 years of … Continue reading Bluesman Willie Green- The Real Deal
Educational exhibit in Cross Creek features Florida animals featured in MKR’s books
A Florida wild animal exhibit is showcasing the animals made popular in the literary works of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. The colorful taxidermy-mount exhibit features most of the species of wild animals found throughout Florida. Many of these, particularly the bear and deer, were made famous by Rawlings in her many books like The Yearling (Pulitzer … Continue reading Educational exhibit in Cross Creek features Florida animals featured in MKR’s books
Elaine Carson Spencer: Reflecting on the Artistic Ties between MKR and Her Parents, Robert E. and Estelle Carson
Robert E. Carson was a professor of Humanities at the University of Florida from 1946-1971. In his youth, he worked as a professional musician playing the saxophone and clarinet in dance orchestras, theaters, hotels and for a brief time, vaudeville. His first love was the violin which he started playing at the age of … Continue reading Elaine Carson Spencer: Reflecting on the Artistic Ties between MKR and Her Parents, Robert E. and Estelle Carson
2019 Winner and Finishers of the Will McLean Best New FL Song Contest
Bob Patterson from St. Augustine is the 2019 winner of the Will McLean Best New Florida Song Contest for, “Silver Springs.” The song has a musical message about the current plight of not only one of the largest artesian springs in the world, but one of the most beautiful springs in Florida located in Marion … Continue reading 2019 Winner and Finishers of the Will McLean Best New FL Song Contest
Reflecting on Rocky: My Time As A Movie Extra
“All the excitement about the newly-released movie “Creed II” starring Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone brings back thoughts about one of the most memorable days of my life in Hollywood as an extra in the filming of “Rocky III.” The first “Creed” movie garnered Oscar buzz for Sly Stallone as Best Supporting Actor. … Continue reading Reflecting on Rocky: My Time As A Movie Extra
MKR friend Carol Fiddia Laxton revisits historic home in Cross Creek
On March 3, 2018 Carol Fiddia Laxton toured the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Home in Cross Creek, FL. She had last visited the home when she was 18 years old many decades before. Her father wanted her to talk to Marjorie about what she was going to do after high school. Marjorie encouraged Carol to go … Continue reading MKR friend Carol Fiddia Laxton revisits historic home in Cross Creek
Happy Birthday Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
See highlights of the 121st and 122nd birthday celebrations for Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings at the MKR Historic State Park in Cross Creek, FL. Visitors who attended the 122nd Birthday Celebration for Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings in Cross Creek, FL in August of 2018 were treated to recipes from her Cross Creek Cookery book, music … Continue reading Happy Birthday Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Honoring the Matriarch of Florida Folk, Margaret Longhill
UPDATE: On Sunday, March 11th, 2018 friends, family and performing songwriters gave a “Farewell to Margaret” through songs and poems during the 2018 Will McLean Music Festival. (Thanks to Gail Carson for providing the video) Earlier post on March 1st, 2018: A mass will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 1460 W. … Continue reading Honoring the Matriarch of Florida Folk, Margaret Longhill
Apalachicola Doin’ Time documentary full script with photos and music
“APALACHICOLA DOIN’ TIME” documentary full written script with photos and music below. (All photos by Donna Green-Townsend) Editor’s Note: Despite the fact it’s been nearly 20 years since this documentary first aired nationally, the Tri-State-Water War has continued to make headlines as the issue works its way through the courts. The key political players … Continue reading Apalachicola Doin’ Time documentary full script with photos and music