Originally aired on WUFT Sept 29 2008
Worldwide Conflicts have erupted over oil…and some say the next wars will be over water. Cynthia Barnett from Gainesville is an award-winning journalist who has written a lot about water for Florida Trend Magazine and in her own publications. She spoke with WUFT’s Donna Green-Townsend about her interest in environmental writing.
He’s had many songs top the Country Music Charts, but Quincy native Billy Dean never forgets his roots. Dean was the headliner at the Florida Folk Festival in White Springs in 2008. Donna Green-Townsend reports on the man and his music.
After his popular appearance at the Florida Folk Festival in 2008, Billy Dean was scheduled to make a reappearance at the state’s official music event. He talked once again with Donna Green-Townsend
Quincy, Florida native Billy Dean headlines tonight at the Florida Folk Festival (Feature aired on WUFT on May 27th, 2011)
Grammy Award-winning country artist from Quincy, Florida, Billy Dean is headlining the mainstage at the Florida Folk Festival in White Springs at 10 p.m. Dean has snagged thirteen top 10 hits in his career. Though he grew up in the Panhandle he now lives in Tennessee. Yesterday before packing up to head to the state’s official folk festival his family headed to the basement because of all the severe weather heading across the Midwest. He talked with Donna Green-Townsend by phone about the storms and what he has in store for tonight’s performance in White Springs at the Stephen Foster State Park just north of Lake City.
Originally aired on WUFT on March 27th, 2008
African Origins of the Banjo
Long Version
Many people are beginning to realize just how similar the three-stringed African instrument called the akonting is to the American banjo. The banjos is often thought to be an American instrument, but it actually has deep roots in Africa with a close tie to their tribal traditions. Over hundreds of years the instrument has gone through some physical changes and styles. Many early players plucked out old-time fiddle tunes from the British Isles and Canadian provinces. Many styles developed in America’s Deep South. Sentimental tunes and early swing have also been popular styles. Eventually in the United States a totally new style developed called bluegrass. In this special we explore the history and many styles of the banjo.
Akonting Banjo Symposium was co-sponsored by the Center for Arts & Healthcare, Shands Arts & Medicine program with support from the Digital Worlds Institute, the Center for African Studies, the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs and the City of Gainesville Division of Cultural Affairs. The ultimate goal was to explore the common ancestry and unique musical and cultural expressions of the new world banjo and its West African ancestors. Senegalese Akonting player, Sana Ndiaye travelled to Gainesville for the event. Sana stopped by the WUFT studios along with old-time clawhammer banjo players and teachers Chuck Levy and Ken Perlman. During this special you’ll hear from all three about their love for of this stringed instrument and what they’ve learned from each other in this unique cultural exchange.
Shorter version:
Winner Rog Lee “City of Jacksonville”
2nd place Malcolm McKinney “The Ghosts of Flagler’s Train”
3rd place Doug Spears “Land of Sunshine, State of Dreams”
Winner Mike Jurgensen “The Ghost of James McNeil”
2nd place David and Mary Anna Evans “Land of the Flowers”
3rd place Larry Mangum “The Last Troubadour”
Winner Elisabeth Williamson “Florida Cracker Girl”
Just before the 2007 Will McLean Festival, Lis talked with Donna Green-Townsend at WUFT about her first-time win of the Will McLean Song Contest
2nd place Al Scortino “Spanish Gold”
3rd place Scott Morris “While Osceola Cries”
Aired on WUFT on November 13th and 16th, 2005
The Bills from Canada Bring Their High-Energy Style of Music to North Central Florida
The Bills (formerly named the Bill Hilly Band) from Canada brought audiences to their feet at both the Gamble Rogers Folk Festival in St. Augustine and the Riverhawk Music Festival near Dade City in November of 2005. The band is known the world over as one of the most boldly innovative roots bands and has received two Juno Award nominations in Canada. While in Gainesville The Bills stopped to give a performance and an interview in the WUFT studios. Donna Green-Townsend has this band profile. 
Just in time for Halloween, the Hippodrome brings you a story you think you knew… until now! In the Hipp’s Dracula the audience members will be immersed in a world of danger, lust and temptation as they witness an epic battle of good versus evil with only one possible outcome.
The young solicitor Jonathan Harker travels to Transylvania for work, but after meeting Count Dracula and his lovely Vampyrettes, he begins to lose his sanity. Back in England, he finds himself in Dr. Seward’s asylum providing clues about Count Dracula for Seward, Professor Van Helsing, and the boisterous American Quincey Morris. They must also try to save the bitten Lucy’s soul while Mina fights strange temptations.
Dracula was also presented on the Hippodrome State Theatre Stage in 2005, albeit a more traditional version….and when Dracula was being portrayed by a character with the last name of “Bloodworth,” let’s just say the audience experienced some chilling moments.
Winner Bruce Tetley “Dodgin’ A Hurricane”
2nd place Cathy DeWitt “My Heart Belongs to Florida”
3rd place (tie) Lucia Jenkins “Here To Stay”
3rd place (tie) Bob Patterson “Lullabye of the Rivers”