In 1997 fiddler Vassar Clements and a variety of musicians and singers gathered in a mobile studio at the Florida Folk Festival in White Springs to record Florida’s state song, “Old Folks At Home” by Stephen Foster. The recording engineer in the mobile studio was Jim Bickerstaff. Florida Artists Hall of Fame winner, Frank Thomas, suggested the recording idea. Thomas is known for closing out the River Gazebo Stage each year at the Florida Folk Festival by singing all verses of the Florida state song. In this recording he leads the chorus. Other musicians include Clyde Walker, Sonny Edwards and Ron Litschauer. Various singers added their voices including Mary Ann Dinella, Donna Green-Townsend, Grant Livingston and Priscilla Bingham Hall. (If you were a participant in this unique endeavor contact Donna at dgtmultimedia@gmail.com to be included in the credits.)
Here is that incredible audio with archival video added of the Suwannee River showing short video clips and pictures taken of the river and performances on the Ann Thomas River Gazebo Stage in White Springs.
Four One-Hour Music Programs produced from mainstage performances at the 45th Annual Florida Folk Festival in White Springs, FL
(including selections from the archives of other festivals and performances)
The late Will McLean and Paul Champion in the late 1960s to early 1970s
Produced by Bill Beckett and hosted by Donna Green-Townsend with production assistance from Jim Bickerstaff, Ken Crawford, Pete Gallagher and Ray Valla
Part One:
Featuring music from Marie Nofsinger, Valarie Caracappa (Wisecracker), Upsala, Pete Gallagher and the Green Grass Revival, Wingnuts, Vassar Clements, John McCuen, Clyde Walker and Sam Pacetti
Part Two:
Featuring music from Jeanie Fitchen, Chuck Hardwicke, Ken and Leigh Skeens, Grant Livingston, Frank and Ann Thomas, Dale Crider, Ron and Bari Litschauer, Happy and Patti, Simple Gifts and Mindy Simmons
Part Three:
The late Gamble Rogers at the FL Folk Festival
Featuring music and stories from Jim Ballew, Paul Champion, Cush Holston, Will McLean, Cousin Thelma Boltin, Gamble Rogers and Don Grooms.
Part Four:
Featuring music from Long John Higginbotham, Rock Bottom, James Billie and John Anderson
(from l to r) Lee Townsend, Jeanie Fitchen and Jessie Townsend (photo by Donna Green-Townsend)
What a memorable Florida Folk Festival for Jessie and Lee Townsend. Thanks to Jeanie Fitchen and Mark Smith for giving special stage time to them this year. There were some magic moments as this brother-sister duo performed “Dumbarton’s Drums” on the historic Old Marble Stage with Jeanie on her 50th year performing at the Florida Folk Festival. Of special note is the fact Jeanie received the first ever “Legacy Award” from the Florida Folk Festival organizers this year.
(from l to r) Andy Garfield, Lee Townsend, Jessie Townsend and David McBrady (photo by Donna Green-Townsend)
Another magic moment was having the opportunity to perform the late Jim Ballew’s beautiful song, “When I Die,” on the Ann Thomas River Gazebo Stage. Though Jim Ballew is best known for his incredible guitar picking, it’s been said that the last time he played on the Gazebo Stage he played “When I Die” on a banjo in honor of his music buddy and great banjo player, the late Paul Champion. It was especially memorable to Lee and the band to learn about that memory since Lee just happened to play banjo on the song that day. As they performed you could hear the audience singing along. It was a goosebump moment for sure. Jessie and Lee were joined by Andy Garfield on guitar and David McBrady on bass.
Jessie and Lee’s performance set at the River Gazebo Stage included a variety of songs that will soon be added to their latest CD project which they’re calling, “Tribute.” In all there will be 12 songs which pay tribute to some of Florida’s best songwriters past and present and more. Six songs have already been mastered and are available on their CD Sampler. In addition to “When I Die,” (the song above) the upcoming CD will feature a song originally written by environmental troubadour Dale Crider from Windsor, FL. Here are Jessie, Lee, Andy Garfield and David McBrady performing, “Oh Kissimmee River” which points out the environmental boondoggle of the government for trying to straighten Florida’s Kissimmee River.
(from l to r) Lee Townsend, Jessie Townsend and Mark Smith (photo by Donna Green-Townsend)
Gainesville Singer-Songwriter Mark Smith asked Jessie and Lee to join him on the River Gazebo Stage on the last day of the Florida Folk Festival to sing one of his songs, “Florida Lullabye.”
It’s a tradition to end the final set on the Gazebo Stage at the Florida Folk Festival with the performers and audience singing together on “Old Folks At Home.”
Jessie and Lee on the Azalea Stage at the Will McLean Festival
Jessie and Lee have been performing as a brother/sister musical duo for several years now singing and playing at a variety of venues including the Will McLean Music Festival, the Florida Folk Festival, the Island Grove Blueberry Festival, Dance Alive at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, the Thomas Center as well as a variety of special events at the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Historic Site and a many church programs and private events.
Jessie (Townsend) Armstrong and Lee Townsend were joined by Andy Garfield and David McBrady at the 2018 Blueberry Festival in Island Grove, FL.
(Left to right) Jessie (Townsend) Armstrong, Lee Townsend, David McBrady and Andy Garfield
One of my favorite performances by Jessie and Lee was at the 2016 Will McLean Festival when they were asked to perform the Will McLean song, “Macclenny Farewell” on the main stage during a tribute to the Matriarch of the Will McLean Festival, Margaret Longhill.
Jessie (Townsend) Armstrong, Lee Townsend and David McBrady performing Macclenny Farewell at the Will McLean Festival’s Tribute to Margaret Longhill in 2016
Jessie and Lee’s “Tribute” CD Now Available
Jessie and Lee have recorded their first professional CD at Gatorbone Studios in Keystone Heights. Click hereto listen to song samples and to find out how to order one.
To see video highlights of Jessie and Lee’s stage performances at the 2016 Florida Folk Festival click here:
To see highlights of Jessie and Lee’s stage performances at the 2016 Will McLean Music Festivalclick here:
At the 2016 Florida Folk Festival, state Heritage Award Winner Jeanie Fitchen invited Jessie, Lee and her mom to join her on the Old Marble Stage to sing one of Jeanie’s favorite songs, “Dumbarton’s Drums.”
Music video of Jessie and Lee and the band performing Will McLean’s “Crying Bird”
Music video of Jessie and Lee and the band performing the late Jim Ballew’s song, “When I Die”
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
During the Homecoming service Jessie and Lee also performed “Amazing Love”
On March 15th, 2015 Jessie performed Will McLean’s “Macclenny Farewell” during the Hour of Power on the Main Stage.
Jessie and her brother Lee Townsendalso made great harmony on the Azalea Stage at the 2015 Will McLean Festival performing Towne 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.”
2015 was Jessie’s second year performing at the Will McLean Festival. She made her debut here on March 8th, 2014 singing a song by the late Steve Blackwellcalled, “The Line.”
Jessie singing I Need You at the 40th dedication services at the New Cross Creek Baptist Church on August 31st, 2014
Jessie singing King of My Heart at the 40th dedication services at the New Cross Creek Baptist Church on August 31st, 2014
Jessie singing Be Thou My Vision at the Homecoming services of the Providence United Methodist Church on October 26, 2014
Donna, Jessie and Lee Townsend singing Never Grow Old at the Homecoming services for the Providence United Methodist Church in Windsor, FL on October 26, 2014
Jessie and Lee performing “Bury Me Beneath the Willow” along with Andy Garfield in November, 2014
Jessie and Lee performing “A Living Prayer” at the Homecoming Services for the Providence United Methodist Church in Windsor, FL on October 26, 2014
Jessie and Lee performing “Ten Thousand Reasons” at the New Cross Creek Baptist Church on October 14, 2012
Singer-Songwriter-Musician Mike Jurgensen From New Port Richey Continues to EntertainMike Jurgensen has won the Will McLean Best New Florida Song Competition three times. Now he serves as one of the contest judges. It’s a testament to his talent. Whether singing solo or performing in the band 2PM, Mike’s smooth “James Taylor-style” voice captivates the audience. Two of his songs, “Margaret” and “Music Drifts Along This River,” were included in the national Edward R. Murrow award-winning documentary, “Apalachicola “Doin’ Time” produced by Donna Green-Townsend in 2000.
Mike currently performs with the trio, “2PM” which includes musicians Pete Price and Pete Hennings. During the group’s latest appearance as part of the Sunday Sampler Series at the historic train depot in Dunnellon, FL they performed one of Mike’s latest songs, “Let’s Just Play One More.” The song captures how music can go late into the night around campfires at music festivals around the state because it’s just hard to pull yourself away from a great jam with friends.
Mike Jurgensen sat down with Donna Green-Townsend to talk about what inspires his songwriting:
Feature on Mike before a concert at the Studio Arts Center in Crystal River, Florida.
2PM performing the Herb McCullough Song, “Love Is All There Is,” at the 2018 Will McLean Festival.
2PM performing David Crossland’s song, “When The Buffalo Comes Back,” at the 2012 Will McLean Festival
2PM performing Ken Skeens’ song, “Down A Barefoot Road” at the 2012 Will McLean Festival.
Gainesville singer songwriter Tom Shed loves to write and sing about Florida. He was influenced by the late Don Grooms, a Florida Heritage Award Winner, when he was one of Grooms’ student in the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida. Shed says he likes to write and sing about, “history, humor and the human condition.” He talked with WUFT’s Donna Green-Townsend about the 60th Annual Florida Folk Festival in 2012.
Tom Shed produced Don Grooms’ “Walk Proud My Son” CD
Singer songwriter and musician Tom Shed played a pivotal role in helping Don Grooms produce his CD “Walk Proud.” In this special, which aired in the late 90s, Shed talks about why this project was so special. You’ll also hear many of Don Grooms’ best songs.
This weekend between 10 to 15 thousand people were attending the Florida Folk Festival at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs. As Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend reports, White Springs is in Hamilton County and was in the target area for high winds and heavy rain from what was “then” Tropical Storm Beryl as the storm was moving west across the state.
The 60th Annual State Folk Festival got underway today in White Springs just north of Lake City and runs thru Sunday night. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with longtime festival performer Tom Shed about the history of the longest running folk festival in the country.