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.
