Category Archives: Arts

Getting To Know Musician Lee Townsend

March 2, 2014ArtsAmanda Anderson, Andy Garfield, banjo player, Blue Linewalkers, bluegrass, Christian Ward, David McBrady, Erik Alvar, Lee Townsend, Orange and Bluegrass, P.K. Yonge Tumblin' Creek Bluegrass Band, Whitey Markle and the SwamprootersDonna Green-Townsend

Lee performing on banjo at the 2018 Blueberry Festival in Island Grove, FL with band members Jessie (Townsend) Armstrong on vocals (far left), David McBrady on bass and Andy Garfield (far right) on guitar

Lee doing a solo during a performance with the Tumblin Creek Bluegrass Band at P.K. Yonge High School in Gainesville — *Lee Townsend*

(For bookings or to contact Lee send an email to dltownsend3@gmail.com or call 352-672-7574)

The following YouTube Videos are from some of Lee Townsend’s various bluegrass performances around North Central Florida. (Read about Lee’s musical story and see pictures of Lee below the You Tube videos)

Jessie and Lee Townsend

Jessie and Lee Townsend

Lee and Jessie Townsend’s CD Sampler is ready. Click here to listen to highlights.

On Friday, April 29th, 2016 Red and Chris Henry along with David McBrady joined Jessie and Lee at Gatorbone Studios to begin recording six additional songs for their new CD called, “Tribute.” Here’s a sample of one of the recordings, “Oh Kissimmee River,” written by environmental troubadour Dale Crider from Windsor, FL. The song points out the folly of the government’s effort to straighten Florida’s Kissimmee River.

Lee and Jessie recently performed at the 27th Annual Will McLean Music Festival. Here’s one example of the songs they performed, the late Jim Ballew’s “When I Die”

Here’s Lee and Andy Garfield performing “Up 18 North” on the Azalea Stage.

To see more highlights from Jessie and Lee’s performances at the Will McLean Festival click here:

To see highlights from Jessie and Lee’s performances at the Florida Folk Festival click here:

Homecoming Service at the New Cross Creek Baptist Church

On April 26, 2015 Jessie and Lee Townsend performed “What Wondrous Love Is This” at the Homecoming Services of the New Cross Creek Baptist Church on April 26, 2015

2015 Will McLean Festival

On March 15th, 2015 Lee and his sister Jessie performed Will McLean’s “Macclenny Farewell” during the Hour of Power on the Main Stage accompanied by David McBrady on bass.

Lee and Jessie also made great harmony on the Azalea Stage at the 2015 Will McLean Festival performing Townes Van Zandt’s, “If I Needed You” with help on the bass and harmony by David McBrady.

The trio even got in some bluegrass with “Drivin’ Nails In My Coffin.”

Lee playing banjo on Wild Hog by Will McLean performed by Whitey Markle and the Swamprooters at the Will McLean Festival 2015

Blue Linewalkers at the 2013 Florida Folk Festival

“Cold Sheets of Rain” with Erik Alvar on bass, Andy Garfield on acoustic guitar and vocals, Lee Townsend on banjo, Amanda Anderson on fiddle and vocals and Christian Ward on fiddle

“The Lucky One”

“Little Boy of Mine in Tennessee”

“Ookpik Waltz”

“Bury Me Beneath the Willow”

Lee Townsend and Amanda Anderson

“Down In The River To Pray” and “A Living Prayer” presented at the New Cross Creek Baptist Church, January, 2012

Orange and Bluegrass Band Performing in Waldo, 2013

“Little Boy of Mine in Tennessee”

“I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”

“Nine Pound Hammer”

“Soldier’s Joy”

Jamming at Lis and Lon Williamson’s Porch in 2013

“Groundspeed”

Tumblin’ Creek Bluegrass Band On The Main Stage At Florida Folk Festival, 2013

Performing “Landslide” at the P.K. Yonge High School Graduation in 2011

“Foggy Mountain Breakdown”– Jamming at the Hippodrome

Lee guitar0002 — *Lee at around three years old*

Lee Townsend loves to play music, especially bluegrass. Even at the young age of 3 he wanted to play the guitar.

His love for music isn’t a total surprise. His grandpa Dorsey Lee Townsend was a great guitar player who played with his brother Jesse Townsend around the Cross Creek area in the 1930s through the 1970s. His other grandpa, Sterling Green from Missouri, also played the guitar and had a family band.

Lee Mace's Ozark Opry — *Lee’s mom and her siblings singing in a talent show accompanied by members of Lee Mace’s Ozark Opry*

Lee learned his first music chords from his mom (Donna Green-Townsend) and dad (Dorsey Lee Townsend, Jr.)

*Lee jamming with his dad in Cross Creek, FL*

File0005 — *Lee with his mom Donna Green-Townsend*

*Lee and his first guitar teacher David Cook*

File0014 — Singer-Songwriter Jon Semmes from Dunnellon

David Cook gave Lee his first professional guitar lessons. His parents along with musician and singer songwriter Jon Semmes from Dunnellon helped purchase his first “real” guitar. It wasn’t long before he decided he also wanted to try out playing the banjo. His Aunt Linda and Uncle Jim Johnson provided his first one.

P1010697 — *Randy Hollinger and bluegrass band members playing for runners in a Gainesville marathon*

At P.K. Yonge High School Lee had the opportunity to take Mr. Randy Hollinger’s instrumental ensemble class. The class included not only a bluegrass band, but a rock band, blues band and a girl’s punk rock band.

Free Bird Playing 4 best so far — *Finale of one of the P.K. Yonge Instrumental Ensemble concerts.*

The bands put on a big show every May on the school’s performing arts center stage. But the bluegrass band had a life of its own and soon the Tumblin’ Creek Bluegrass Band began performing at a variety of venues, including the Will McLean Folk Festival, the Florida Folk Festival, United Downtown in Gainesville, the Micanopy Fall Festival, and the Alachua Downtown Festival among others.

100_0455 — *Members of the Tumblin’ Creek Bluegrass Band*

2012-03-11_15-15-46_524 — *The Tumblin’ Creek Bluegrass Band performing in 2013 at the Will McLean Folk Festival*

Not surprisingly, when Lee went on to college he joined a bluegrass club and a band soon formed called Orange and Bluegrass.

543975_10151592755501040_243116692_n — *First gathering of the Gator Bluegrass Club*

577400_358617244252265_2137473904_n — *Orange and Bluegrass Band performing at a Waldo bluegrass festival*

As with many acoustic bands, there’s always a mix and match of performers at various festivals. On Memorial Weekend of 2013 one of those mix and match groups became the Blue Linewalkers who performed on the Main Stage of the Florida Folk Festival. Performers included Erik Alvar on bass, Andy Garfield on vocals and guitar, Lee Townsend on banjo, Amanda Anderson on Fiddle and vocals and Christian Ward on fiddle.

2014 Will McLean Song Contest Winner and Finishers

February 27, 2014Arts, Features, NewsBari Litschauer, Before the Fire, Dawn DeWitt, Florida, Frank Thomas, Jan Glidewell, Jane Fallon, Kissimmee, Kissimmee Prairie Dream, Kissimmee Prairie Preserve, Larry Mangum, Raymond Sealey, Roadside Revue, Ron Litschauer, Rosewood, Songwriting, Stan Geberer, Will McLean, Will McLean Festival, Will McLean Song Contest WinnersDonna Green-Townsend

Here are the winner, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers of the 2014 Will McLean Best New Florida Song Contest:

Here’s a look back at the top 3 winners of the 2014 Will McLean Best New Florida Song Contest along with video clips of them performing their winning song on the main stage at the 2014 festival.

Jane Fallon Song Contest Winner 2014 A — *1st place winner Jane Fallon*

The 2014 first place winner was Jane Fallon from Brookline, NH. Her song entitled “Before the Fire (Rosewood)” captures the emotional story and resulting fear from the 1923 Rosewood tragedy in North Central Florida. Jane has been a finalist in several songwriting competitions such as SolarFest , the Ossipee Music Festival and the prestigious Rose Garden Coffeehouse Competition. Her songs have placed 2^nd and 3^rd respectively in the Neuse River MusicFest competition and the West Coast Songwriters Competition.

The 2014 second place finisher Larry Mangum is from Jacksonville. His song entitled “Florida” describes the beauty of the Sunshine State and why he’s proud to call it home. Mangum has given nearly 3000 performances over 4 decades as a folk, rock, country and Americana artist. He’s released 8 albums of original music and 2 live albums since 1980. In 2006 he won third place in the Will McLean Song contest with his tribute to Gamble Rogers, “The Last Troubadour.” He is also host and co-founder of “The Songwriters’ Circle” in Jacksonville, a monthly program featuring many of the best regional and national touring acts.

Sealey Guitar colour — *Third place Ray Sealey*

The 2014 third place finisher was Ray Sealey from Harrington, QC. His song “Kissimmee Prairie Dream” gives the flavor of Central Florida’s early years in the Kissimmee area. Ray was born in England and received a degree in English Literature after emigrating to Canada. He was involved in folk music in his early years but then turned to classical guitar. He eventually taught music at the Universities of Western Ontario and Ottawa. He also worked in radio at the CBC and later in arts management being involved in music festivals, summer music centers and orchestras. Now, later in life, he has returned to those early folk roots and spends summer in the Laurentian Mountains north of Montreal and winter in Florida.

Back to the list of winners by year

or

Click here to go to the Will McLean Festival website

willfestactivities500 — Festival montage photo by Gail Carson

2014 marked the 25th anniversary of the Will McLean Folk Festival which ran from Friday, March 7th thru Sunday, March 9th. The 2014 festival honored Jan Glidewell, a longtime columnist for the Tampa Bay Times who died in 2013 from cancer. Glidewell was an avid supporter of the festival. The 26th year for the 3-day festival gets underway at the Sertoma Youth Ranch near Dade City on March 13th, 2015. The winner and 2nd and 3rd place finishers of this year’s song contest will be featured on Saturday, March 14th.

The Will McLean festival features four stages, including a young performers stage, a variety of music workshops, arts and crafts, food and more. McLean, known as the “Black Hat Troubadour,” is the first folk artist inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. In 2014 one of the newest folk musicians inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame, Frank Thomas, also performed at the Will McLean Music Festival. In the clip below recorded on the Cypress Stage at last year’s festival you’ll see Frank singing one of his most popular songs, “Cracker Cowman.”

Frank Thomas was accompanied by members of the band Roadside Revue featuring Dawn DeWitt on bass, Bari Litschauer on banjo, Ron Litschauer on guitar and Stan Geberer on harmonica.

Back to the list of winners by year

Back to the Will McLean website

Pete Seeger’s ties to Will McLean, the “Father of Florida Folk”

January 28, 2014Arts, Features, NewsBlack Hat Troubadour, Donna Green-Townsend, Father of Florida Folk, folk music movement, folk music revival, Pete Seeger, Pete Seeger dies, Will McLean, Will McLean and Pete SeegerDonna Green-Townsend

Singer Songwriter Pete Seeger, a good friend of Will McLean

One of the most enduring and loved folk singers in the U.S. has died. Pete Seeger, who had America singing such iconic tunes as, “If I Had a Hammer” died January 27th, 2014 at the age of 94 at a hospital in New York. President Barack Obama issued a statement saying, “Pete Seeger believed deeply in the power of song, but more importantly, he believed in the power of community …to stand up for what’s right, speak out against what’s wrong, and move this country closer to the America he knew we could be. Over the years, Pete used his voice, and his hammer, to strike blows for worker’s rights and civil rights; world peace and environmental conservation. And he always invited us to sing along. For reminding us where we come from and showing us where we need to go, we will always be grateful to Pete Seeger.”

In March, 2014 Singer Songwriter from Delray Beach, Rod MacDonald, asked several other musicians and the audience at the Will McLean Folk Festival to join him in a tribute to the late Pete Seeger:

Florida's Black Hat Troubadour — Florida’s Black Hat Troubadour

While most people will be recalling the dozens of classics he helped make famous, like Turn, Turn, Turn, Where Have All The Flowers Gone, and Woodie Guthrie’s This Land Is Your Land, among others, there are many in the Sunshine State who will remember how Seeger reached out to the “Black Hat Troubadour” in Florida, the late Will McLean. The two songwriters shared a deep respect for one another.

“Will McLean’s songs will be sung as long as there is a Florida.” That’s how Pete Seeger described his friend. That quote was shared at the 1990 memorial service for McLean who was the first folk artist inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. President Emerita of the Will McLean Foundation, Margaret Longhill, says, Seeger and McLean were both genuine people with a great songwriting connection. They both liked to write songs about everyday people and they both liked to have their audiences sing along. “Pete Seeger’s songs will live forever in the hearts of those who seek truth, justice and love,” says Longhill.

the late Will McLean considered to be the "Father of Florida folk" — The late Will McLean considered to be the “Father of Florida folk”

Longhill remembers attending a Pete Seeger concert at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater with McLean in the mid 1980s. Prior to the concert Seeger and McLean chatted as friends backstage. During the concert Seeger said to the audience, “Ladies and gentlemen, I would like you to know in this audience tonight is America’s greatest living songwriter, Will McLean. Will McLean stand up,” recalls Longhill.

Longhill says the story that’s been passed down is that McLean and Seeger became acquainted after McLean wrote a letter to Seeger saying, “I’m a Florida folk singer and I don’t have a guitar.” Soon after Seeger sent him a 12-string guitar. During McLean’s memorial service in 1990 many of his musician friends recalled with humor how that guitar was pawned as were many other guitars that followed.

While Pete Seeger will always be remembered for his part in the folk music revival in the 1960s, many in Florida will also think of him for providing McLean and the late Gamble Rogers the opportunity to perform at a folk music concert in Carnegie Hall in New York City. Seeger loved Mclean’s earthy songs about unique characters and places in Florida such as Wild Hog, Tate’s Hell and Osceola’s Last Words.

Though Seeger travelled and wrote songs all around the country, McLean wasn’t interested in seeking fame and fortune and preferred to remain in Florida and write about his beloved “Florida Sand.” But the two songwriters continued to have great respect for one another. Seeger even performed one of McLean’s best known Florida songs about Chief Osceola during the nationally televised “Johnny Cash Show” in 1970.

Here’s a segment from a November 1985 interview with Donna Green-Townsend where McLean shares the story of performing at Carnegie Hall in NYC with Pete Seeger

Here’s more about that special trip to Carnegie Hall in NYC from the November, 1985 interview with Donna Green-Townsend

The Will McLean Foundation continues to hold a festival each year in honor of the state’s “Black Hat Troubadour.” The festival is held each March at the Sertoma Youth Ranch near Dade City. The festival features three stages along with various music workshops and the winners of an annual songwriting contest.

Click here to go back to the Will McLean Festival Website.

Archival Hippodrome State Theatre, Gainesville Community Playhouse and Acrosstown Repertory Theatre features

December 1, 2013Arts, FeaturesAcrosstown Repertory Theatre, Hippodrome State TheatreDonna Green-Townsend

Click on a link below to hear archive theatre features produced by Donna Green-Townsend

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Always Patsy Cline (07/14/1999)

A Christmas Carol at the Hipp (11/29/2010)

Avenue Q at the Hipp (07/10/2013)

The Big Bang (08/29/2004)

“Carrie” at the Hipp (10/12/2012)

“Come Back, Little Sheba” in Gainesville (12/06/2012)

Costume sale at the Hipp (10/01/2010)

‘Dead Man’s Cellphone’ Opens At The Hipp (01/12/2010)

Don’t Dress For Dinner Opens At The Hippodrome (08/30/2013)

Dracula– two versions

“The Drawer Boy” at the Acrosstown Repertory Theatre (08/24/2012)

“End Days” at the Hipp (01/06/2011)

Forever Plaid (06/2000)

God of Carnage at the Hipp (09/01/2011)

The Hot Mikado (07/2007)

Love and Fate

The Marvelous Wonderettes at the Hipp (06/01/2012)

Mary Hausch Recaps 40 years at the Hippodrome State Theatre (05/17/2013)

Mindgame (Oct 16, 2009)

Robin Hood at the Hipp (04/12/2013)

From my audio archives: Peter Rowan performed before sellout crowds in Gainesville and Melrose, FL in 2012 and 2013

November 6, 2013Artsbluegrass, Donna Green-Townsend, Peter Rowan, Shake Rag Series, Thomas CenterDonna Green-Townsend

Peter Rowan music feature produced by Donna Green-Townsend in May, 2012

Folk and bluegrass icon Peter Rowan and his Bluegrass band made a tour stop in Gainesville at the historic Thomas Center on Tuesday, November 12th, 2013.

In May of 2012 Grammy Award Winner and 5-time Grammy nominee Rowan gave his only Florida performance that year as part of the Shakerag Concert Series in Melrose. It was a sellout.

Peter Rowan performing in May, 2012 in Melrose, FL. He was introduced by the late Joe Saccocci.

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Here is a video of Peter performing a tribute to the late Doc Watson

“Song Weaver” Amy Carol Webb

November 4, 2013Arts, NewsAmy Carol Webb, Donna Green-Townsend, Florida singer songwriters, Song Weaver, South Floridaadmin

Amy Carol Webb at the Will McLean Folk Festival March 2012

Music critics have described Miami Springs singer songwriter Amy Carol Webb as passionate, powerful and profound. The nationally acclaimed acoustic musician is known as a Miami Herald, “One to Watch,” a Billboard “Act to Watch” and New Times “Best Solo Artist.” Donna Green-Townsend takes a closer look at just what inspires this award-winning artist in this interview that originally aired on WUFT-FM in September of 2004.

Amy Carol Webb’s, “I Come From Women,” is one of her most popular songs and typically gets the entire audience involved.

In 2015, on the 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March, Webb joined a thousand others in Selma, Alabama to commemorate the event that capped several tumultuous weeks in the American Civil Rights Movement in 1965. She also put the experience into song at the Will McLean Festival.

In a tribute to the Matriarch of Florida Folk, Margaret Longhill, Webb performed, “Oh Margaret.”

Webb performing on the Old Marble Stage at the Florida Folk Festival on May 27th, 2012 during a pouring rain. She received a request to do “These Are My Own.” As you will see in the video, it presented quite the challenge to the interpreter for the hearing-impaired assigned to the stage.

The pouring rain coming down also seemed like the appropriate time for Webb to sing her song, “We Are Made of Rain.”

*Amy Carol Webb and company at the Will McLean Folk Festival, 2012*

2012-11-11_15-54-54_883 — *Amy Carol Webb performing at the Sunday Sampler Series at the Old Train Depot in Dunnellon in the Fall of 2012.*

Don’t Dress For Dinner Opens At The Hippodrome (08/30/2013)

September 1, 2013ArtsDon't Dress For Dinner, Donna Green-Townsend, Florida, Gainesville, Hippodrome State Theatre, Michelle BellaverDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on WUFT August 30, 2013

Hipp play 2 — Cast of Don’t Dress For Dinner at the Hippodrome State Theatre

The sequel to the popular comedy, Boeing-Boeing is now on stage at the Hippodrome State Theatre in Gainesville. Don’t Dress For Dinner, which is the first play of the Hipp’s 41st season, has had success on Broadway and in London. Donna Green-Townsend talked with Michelle Bellaver who plays Suzette the cook in the play. Bellaver says she’s glad the season kicks off with a comedy.

Don’t Dress For Dinner runs through September 22. Longer version of the interview:

Gabe Valla and Sam Pacetti

August 17, 2013ArtsAcoustic guitar, Donna Green-Townsend, Florida musicians, Gabe Valla, Sam Pacetti, St. AugustineDonna Green-Townsend

Tonight (8/17/2013) there was a reunion of sorts. That’s when musicians Gabe Valla and Sam Pacetti gave their long-awaited second performance in Gainesville’s Thomas Center. The two guitar players, who now both live in the St. Augustine area, first met as teenagers at a memorial service for the late Gamble Rogers, who is now honored in the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. Valla, who grew up in Gainesville around the acoustic music scene, talked with WUFT’s Donna Green-Townsend about the uniqueness of the scheduled show:

The concert was sponsored by the Shakerag Culture Center and the City of Gainesville Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs.

Gabe Valla and Sam Pacetti 1 — Gabe Valla and Sam Pacetti performing at the Thomas Center on August 18, 2013 (photo by Lee Townsend)

Gabe Valla and Sam Pacetti 2 — Gabe Valla and Sam Pacetti performing at the Thomas Center (photo by Lee Townsend)

George Tortorelli and Lisa Lynne

August 1, 2013ArtsDonna Green-Townsend, flute music, George Tortorelli, harp, Lisa Lynne, New Age musicDonna Green-Townsend

: Flutist George Tortorelli performing with harpist Lisa Lynne

Flutist George Tortorelli and harpist Lisa Lynne can often be found at Gainesville’s Downtown Arts Festival each November. You can also often find them performing at the Florida Folk Festival in White Springs on Memorial Weekend…that is when they’re not touring across the country with their New Age Music. For many years George Tortorelli played music in a rock ‘n roll band. These days he prefers the soothing sound of his homemade flutes from his bamboo forest around his Gainesville home. Along with music partner Lisa Lynne, they’ve had a number of CDs top the New Age charts. He talked with Donna Green-Townsend about the switch in his musical taste.

Tortorelli talking about one of their latest projects, a Christmas CD performed on ancient acoustic instruments:

Mem Semmes

August 1, 2013Arts, SpecialsDonna Green-Townsend, Dunnellon, Florida, Florida singer songwriter, Mem Semmes, Sunday Sampler, Will McLean Folk Festival, Will McLean FoundationDonna Green-Townsend

Folk friends 002 — Mem Semmes and her son Jon

The late Mem Semmes from Dunnellon loved music. Not only did she write hundreds of songs, but she also helped provide a long time venue for Florida’s singer songwriters through the monthly concert series, The Sunday Sampler. Just a few years before she died her son Jon Semmes helped Mem produce her first CD. Mem talked about songwriting with Donna Green-Townsend in this one hour special aired on WUFT in December of 2007 on Across The Prairie.

Mem Semmes on These Diamonds CD Project

The late Will McLean spent his life writing songs to save Florida through music. Now the foundation named after the father of Florida folk is marketing an environmental CD trying to continue McLean’s lifelong mission. The acoustic CD features musicians from across the Sunshine State singing about a wide variety of environmental stories and issues. As Donna Green-Townsend reports even the CD title, These Diamonds carries a story behind it.

Florida musicians included on the CD are:

The Eagles Fly – Mindy Simmons

Lullaby of the Rivers – Bob Patterson

Rose and the Gold – Mem Semmes

Cracker Cowman – Frank Thomas

Florida Pines – Paul Garfinkel

Paw Prints in the Sand – Ken Skeens

These Diamonds – Grant Livingston

Turtle Tears – Amy Carol Webb

Rand McNally Map of Florida – Jim Bickerstaff

Plumes – Steve Blackwell

Apalachicola Doin’ Time – Dale Crider

Song For Our Children – Mary Ann Dinella

Early band photo of Mem Semmes

Donna, Mem Semmes and Harriett Meyer at Apalachicola Doin' Time Celebration in 2000 — Donna, Mem Semmes and Harriett Meyer at Apalachicola Doin’ Time Celebration in 2000