Tag Archives: Will McLean Music Festival

Honoring the Matriarch of Florida Folk, Margaret Longhill

March 16, 2018NewsMargaret Longhill, Matriarch of Florida Folk, Will McLean Music FestivalDonna Green-Townsend

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. St. Elizabeth Place, Citrus Springs, FL 34434 on Tuesday, March 6th at 11 a.m.

Margaret Longhill (photo by Gail Carson)

“The Matriarch of our Florida Folk community passed away,” that’s how friends describe the loss of Margaret Longhill who died early Thursday morning, March 1^st at her home in Dunnellon at the age of 96.

Longhill, born October 16, 1921, was the oldest of seven children of John and Angela Longhill. Though born in Kentucky she grew up in Memphis, TN. After high school Longhill left home to become a Sister of Mercy at the novitiate in Dubuque, Iowa, where she took the name Sister Mary Amora. During her tenure as a nun, she taught various grade levels at St. Bernard Academy in Nashville and Immaculate Conception Academy in Memphis, eventually becoming the Dean of Students at Edgecliff College in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Her love for Florida came when she moved to the state in the early 70’s to teach at Central Florida Community College (now Central Florida College) in Ocala, Lecanto, and Brooksville, FL. She fell in love with Florida’s history, environment, music and people. A neighbor introduced her to Will McLean (1919-1990), a native Floridian who was passionate about the love of the land and dedicated to protecting Florida’s unique environments. Longhill became an avid member of the Florida Folklore family, and began a campaign to teach the whole world about the beauty and the fragility of Florida’s environments. She and a group of Will’s followers held the first Will McLean Music Festival in April of 1990. The festival is now in its 29^th year.

Organizers of the upcoming Will McLean Music Festival are planning a “Farewell to Margaret Longhill” on Sunday at 4:30, March 11^th during the three day festival which runs March 9 – 11^th at the Sertoma Youth Ranch near Brooksville, FL.

Margaret Longhill at Artists Hall of Fame Induction for Will McLean

Longhill started the festival in 1990 to honor the late Will McLean who is considered the “Father of Florida Folk.” She also was instrumental in getting McLean into the prestigious Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 1996.

Longhill and McLean were close friends and she spent her life keeping McLean’s goal alive of “Saving Florida Through Music.” To that end she established the Will McLean Best New Florida Song Contest which has garnered thousands of new songs in the state.

Ken Skeens, a musician and songwriter from Fort Myers was the first winner of the contest in 1992. Ken along with his wife Leigh says, “Margaret, you hear her name and you feel her love. You sense her calm resolve and how its power sustains the essence of Florida in her sure and steadfast way. You feel her selfless, abiding will and her keen strength of purpose as it nurtures Florida’s legacy. It assures, encourages and inspires new and future creative artists. Margaret walked the walk as she shared her humanity and her wisdom. With her eyes as piercing as an eagle and as gentle as a dove she made our family richer. Because she walked among us and beside us in her gentle loving grace, we are all forever blessed. Thank you Margaret. Love, love, love.”

Other former winners like Paul Garfinkel from Deland, FL also applauded Longhill’s lifelong work and her ability to encourage aspiring musicians along their careers,

“Margaret was the best of us,” said Garfinkel. “I don’t recall her ever, in the 23 years I’ve known her, reacting in anger or spite, but only in the spirit of conciliation, hope, and compassion. She was an “includer”, a facilitator of dreams and an inspiration to the hesitant. In 1996 she gave me, sight unseen, a chance at presenting my music on the Will McLean Festival stage. I found a musical home there among hundreds of new friends, and that home and those friends have lasted for decades now. Next to my wife, those gifts that Margaret gave to me are the center of my universe. Any time that I step onto any stage, anywhere, I owe it all to her loving encouragement. And I will now miss her every time I do. Florida has lost one of its most valuable treasures.”

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Recently Longhill was instrumental in facilitating the transfer of the Will McLean Collection which contains hundreds of letters, poems, song lyrics and personal artifacts of McLean into the Department of Special and Area Studies at the George A. Smathers Libraries at the University of Florida.

Longhill is survived by her youngest sister, Ann Elise Connors, her sister-in-law, Jean Longhill, 22 beloved nieces and nephews, dear friends Jon and Deedee Semmes, as well as many, many friends and admirers.

A mass will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 1460 W. St. Elizabeth Place, Citrus Springs, FL 34434 on Tuesday, March 6th at 11 a.m.

Contact Roberts Funeral Home in Dunnellon at 352-489-2429 for more information or go online to http://www.robertsofdunnellon.com/ or send an email to jroland@robertsofdunnellon.com

In lieu of flowers – pictures, remembrances and donations may be made to: The Will McLean Foundation
12088 Palmetto Ct., Dunnellon, FL 34432 (http://willmclean.com)

Quotes from other songwriters and festival organizers:

Red Henry (Musician and longtime friend of Will McLean and Margaret and former Florida resident now residing in Winchester, VA)- “Margaret was the prime mover behind much of Florida music today. Her creativity, determination, and kindness brought musical joy to a great many in the Florida folk community.”

Elisabeth Williamson (Singer songwriter and a former winner of the song contest from Keystone Heights)- “As Matriarch of the Florida Folk tribe, Margaret Longhill leaves behind a lasting legacy that will serve new generations in perpetuity. She has inspired countless songs and stories, not just about Florida through the annual Will McLean songwriting contest, but about her personally as an iconic and beloved figurehead of Florida folk culture. Her unbridled enthusiasm for the people who make music, especially the young folks entering the scene, along with her beauty of spirit and loving regard will be deeply missed by all who knew her.”

Lynn Wodjenski (Will McLean Festival Coordinator)- “Margaret had an uncanny ability to recognize what someone could be and she took great joy in fostering that talent. Many of us in the Florida Folk community owe Margaret a debt of thanks for realizing our potential before we did ourselves. She helped many achieve a dream – be it as a performer, writer, or coordinating a festival.”

MikeJurgensen (Musician and three-time winner of the Will McLean Best New Florida Song Contest from New Port Richey)- “Margaret had an immeasurable impact on the Florida folk music community, and we mourn our loss as we would a family member. Her love for Florida and for songs that celebrate Florida’s history, culture, and natural beauty inspired the writing of thousands of Florida songs. Those songs have been the centerpiece of the Will McLean Music Festival, which Margaret founded, nurtured, and grew into one of the major festivals in the state. She has been the heart and soul of our community for many years, and she is indelibly etched into our hearts. I know that many more songs will be written in her memory, honoring Margaret’s loving vision.”

Amy Carol Webb (Performing songwriter and past winner of the Will McLean Best New Florida Song Contest from Sunrise, FL)- “Margaret had a gift for hearing the truest music within each of us and calling it out — gently but fiercely. ‘No’ was not an answer. And ‘yes’ poured out in song.”

Bari Litschauer (Musician and key coordinator of the Will McLean Music Festival schedule from West Palm Beach)- “For each of us, there are probably only a few folks we keep prominently in our rear view mirror. Margaret is one of those souls who will remain forever in my rear view mirror reminding us to Keep the Music Alive, which is how she signed her email correspondence. GodSpeed to you, my friend and much love.”

Bari’s husband Ron has these memories and thoughts about Longhill- “One of my favorite quotes from Margaret, when asked how she started the Will McLean festival, “ I didn’t do anything, it just happened.”

Ron Litschauer adds, “My favorite memories include watching her dance, ride on the back of a motorcycle around the campground, visiting our campsite holding a coffee cup which “not so secretly” contained two fingers of whiskey, insisting upon driving her own camper to the festival, and quietly accepting help from anyone who was around to help her get it properly placed and hooked up. Margaret had a positive demeanor that was impossible to say no to. She remains an inspiration and example to us all that unconditional love and encouragement always wins. As she so often reminded us, we were all her “Treasured Artists.” The festival and her spirit will endure, but Margaret, the person, can never be duplicated or replaced. She was one-of-a-kind and I will deeply miss her.”

Dennis Devine (Musician and friend from San Antonio, FL) “Margaret was the gentle rock that held our Florida music community together. Her ideas and encouragement motivated us all. Her soul is now soaring with the hawks.”

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Click here to to go back to the Will McLean Website

A conversation with Margaret Longhill about Will McLean

February 1, 2018News, VideoFlorida Artists Hall of Fame, Florida Folk, Margaret Longhill, Will McLean, Will McLean Music FestivalDonna Green-Townsend

President Emeritus of the Will McLean Foundation, Margaret Longhill, is credited for her work helping to get the late Will McLean into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. McLean (1919-1990), considered the “Father of Florida Folk,” was inducted in 1996.

Shortly before his death, Longhill and some of McLean’s closest friends were instrumental in establishing the Will McLean Foundation, dedicated to promoting the work of Florida folk artists and passing along the state’s history through song for generations to come. Longhill also spearheaded the creation of the Will McLean Music Festival. The festival, a favorite for Florida songwriters, is held each March at the Sertoma Youth Ranch near Brooksville.

In January of 2016 multimedia producer Donna Green-Townsend sat down with Longhill to have a conversation about her efforts to keep Will McLean’s legacy alive as one of Florida’s premier songwriters and poets.

Click here to go to the Will McLean Festival website

Will McLean Music Festival Honors Margaret Longhill

March 18, 2016NewsAmy Carol Webb, Donna Green-Townsend, Gail Carson, Ken Skeens, Lee Townsend, Leigh Skeens, Margaret Longhill, Mike Jurgensen, Paul Garfinkel, Pete Hennings, Pete Price, Sertoma Youth Ranch, Will McLean Music FestivalDonna Green-Townsend

See the special video presentations of the tribute to Margaret Longhill below the text which were produced by Gail Carson and Paul Garfinkel

Margaret Longhill 2 — Margaret Longhill (all photos by Gail Carson)

The 27th annual Will McLean Music Festival at the Sertoma Youth Ranch near Brooksville honored Margaret Longhill on March 12th. Longhill has been the gentle, guiding hand and inspiration for hundreds of musicians who have found their voices for Florida.

Since she first met Will McLean (1919-1990), the first folk artist inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame, she has continued to keep the flame burning of Will’s desire to “Save Florida Through Music.”

“Music is a magical way to teach the value of our blessed, flowered land,” says Longhill.

774973_10209266139476404_566977009591258835_o — Margaret making her entrance to the special Saturday night tribute on March 12th

Whether it’s her support for the young performers or the annual ‘Best New Florida Song Contest,’ Longhill, the Will McLean Foundation President Emeritus, possesses the ability to nourish and encourage songwriters across the state simply with her incredulous smile and engaging enthusiasm. As a result, the library of songs about this “Land of Flowers” continues to grow.

“I’d like to be known as a lover of Florida and promoter of music, especially about Florida. And I was a convert because I’m from Tennessee and I love Tennessee too, but you know, when you live in Florida you just adopt Florida,” says Longhill.

Donna and Margaret Longhill — Margaret Longhill being interviewed by Donna Green-Townsend

The presentation on Saturday night, March 12th, included a live interview with Longhill on stage by Donna Green-Townsend interspersed with performances by three former “Best New Florida Song Contest” winners.

12828424_10209266155476804_2220312219301774798_o — Ken and Leigh Skeens performing, “The Empty Chair”

Ken Skeen and Leigh Skeens performed the song that won the very first contest called, “The Empty Chair.” Ken not only won first place during the very first song contest in 1992, but also won second place and tied for third. He then worked for a number of years as the song contest coordinator.

10329875_10209266157796862_7070884214081586474_o — (from left to right) Mike Jurgensen, Pete Price and Pete Hennings performing “Music Drifts Along This River”

Mike Jurgensen, accompanied by Pete Price and Pete Hennings on guitar and bass performed Mike’s winning song, “Music Drifts Along This River.” Mike has won the song contest three times and is now working as a judge for the annual competition.

12829207_10209266162556981_1362463715517003452_o — Amy Carol Webb and Ron Litschauer perform, “Oh Margaret” during the special tribute to Margaret Longhill

Margaret recited Will McLean’s poem, “My Soul Is a Hawk,” accompanied by Wayne Martin on fiddle and Dennis Devine on guitar. Amy Carol Webb, a past song contest winner, then performed a special song she wrote for Margaret’s birthday a few years ago called, “Oh Margaret.” She was accompanied by Ron Litschauer on mandolin.

Magnolia Stage Lee Jessie and David March 12 2013 — Lee and Jessie Townsend along with bass player David McBrady performing at the Margaret Longhill Tribute Presentation. (photo by Gail Carson)

The tribute also included a Will McLean song, Macclenny Farewell, performed by two young performers, Jessie and Lee Townsend, who represent Longhill’s passion for supporting the musical talent of youth at the festival. Jessie and Lee were accompanied by David McBrady on bass.

A very special thank you to all the folks behind the scenes who made the presentation possible including Ron and Bari Litschauer, Lynn Wodjenski and countless others who helped to set up the living room scene and lights and who made the presentation run smoothly.

Here are the videos of the special tribute to Margaret Longhill produced by Gail Carson and Paul Garfinkel. The first video was produced by Gail:

Paul Garfinkel’s six segments on the Tribute to Margaret Longhill from Saturday, March 12, 2016 show a wider perspective on the special evening:

Part One:

Part Two:

Part Three:

Part Four:

Part Five:

Part Six:

Gail Carson also produced another video for Margaret to thank her for all she has done to promote and to preserve Florida Folk Music. The video demonstrates, through a number of voices, the unforgettable impact Margaret Longhill has had on so many songwriters and performers, especially young performers.

Will McLean Festival web cover

Will McLean Festival to Feature Some of the Best Songwriters In Florida

February 26, 2016NewsAmy Carol Webb, Brian Smalley, Florida Songwriters, Frank Julian, Grant Peeples, Headliners, Jordan Cherkinsky, Margaret Longhill, Mindy Simmons, Passerine, Still Friends, Will McLean, Will McLean Music FestivalDonna Green-Townsend

Mindy Simmons, Passerine, Grant Peeples, Frank Julian, Jordan Cherkinsky, Amy Carol Webb, Brian Smalley and Still Friends are the Friday and Saturday night headliners who will grace the Main Stage of the Will McLean Music Festival which runs March 11th, 12th, & 13th 2016 at the Sertoma Youth Ranch in Brooksville. The festival, in its 27th year, will feature more than 70 Florida acoustic musicians, with young performers to artists who have been with the festival since its inception.

Mindy Simmons from Sarasota has been called the “Sarasota Songbird.” She is a consummate performer who brings a polished, professional show to festival stages, concert halls and other performance venues. Her quick wit and warm approach charms audiences and puts them in a relaxed frame of mind to sit back and be entertained. “Mindy Music” includes original songs as well as classic blues, jazz, and folk. Mindy also performs with Lisa Bohn, a duo of musical talent that provides awesomely blended two-part harmony and fun-filled camaraderie.

The band Passerine from Sarasota features a distinctive sound combining 3 and 4-part vocal harmonies, the crisp rhythms of an acoustic guitar, the haunting voice of the dobro (resonator slide guitar), and the resonant lows of an acoustic bass. With this unusual arrangement of voices and instruments, Passerine offers a fresh take on traditional folk and bluegrass music as well as a repertoire of original songs that range from sweet ballads to the edgier side of contemporary Americana.

Grant Peeples is from Sopchoppy, FL. His style of music has been described as “Leftneck” folk. A voice that No Depression said “sounds like a ’57 Chevy with glass mufflers” and lyrics that 3rd Coast Music Magazine calls “unusually literate…unusually honest” and a self-proclaimed style of “leftneck”. Peeples, a self-described “vegetarian that watches NASCAR and a tree-hugger with a gun below the seat,” is known for his axe-sharp socio-political tunes, raucous humor and heart-gigging ballads. In 2014 he was the recipient of the Focus Foundation Award for Creative Excellence, which cited the “humor, compassion and wisdom of his songs,” as well as their “unflinching social insight and cultural acuity.”

Frank Julian and Jordan Cherkinsky — Jordan Cherkinsky and Frank Julian

Julian/Cherkinsky is a new collaboration between Jordan Cherkinsky and Frank Julian. Jordan Cherkinsky who lives in Coral Springs hails from the Detroit area, but his musical influence is taken from Gram Parsons, Clarence White, Townes Van Zandt, Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman, Tony Rice, Gillian Welch, and others. He has been playing guitar and mandolin for almost 52 years, performing with a variety of Florida folk artists at venues across the state. Frank Julian, who lives in New Port Richey, is originally from upstate New York. Julian has also appeared at Folk Festivals and various venues throughout the state of Florida. Frank’s award winning lyrical talents, his wonderful vocals, and rhythm guitar playing coupled with Jordan’s melodic maneuverings and elaborate finger-stylings create a unique musical energy that is quickly garnering acclaim in the Americana scene. Frank and Jordan have written a surprisingly eclectic mix of songs that are gaining attention across the spectrum of the genre. Two of their songs just finished in eighth and tenth places in the Will McLean Best New Florida Song Contest.

Brian Smalley‘s songs borrow from folksy flat-pick guitar and new-grass. He also demonstrates a touch of new-age acoustic music. He sings with a soulful, earthy, yet energetic voice and his live performances tend to be just that: Lively!

Amy Carol Webb from Miami Springs has been defined as a “beloved song weaver.” She is passionate, powerful, and poignant. She’s the girl next door and no ordinary woman. Born and reared in Oklahoma, Amy traces her heritage back to Native Americans through her Great-Grandmother who settled Oklahoma when it was still a territory. Amy’s music reflects the same pioneering spirit, tenacity, integrity, and never-quit grit. Her joy is infectious, her courage inspiring, her songs gifts of literate, humorous, and often profound poems of one woman’s remarkable journey from precious child, to woman, to mother, to “Songweaver.”

“Still Friends” features former members of the celebrated group Steve Blackwell and Friends from Southwest Florida. The group performs original acoustic music with a unique and memorable delivery. Combining strong songwriting with elements of folk, rock, bluegrass, jazz, and soul music. Still Friends is a favorite of audiences throughout Florida. Band members include Reed Coffey on lead guitar, banjo, bass and vocals; Japhy Blackwell on saxophone and vocals; Carrie Blackwell Hussey on vocals and percussion and Tiffiny Coffey on vocals and guitar. Their influences include the Wood Brothers, Scott Jacobs, Frank Desguin, Wampus, Lawton Chiles, Stetson Kennedy, Bone Mizell, Totch Brown, Townes Van Zandt, Buddy Miller, Indigo Girls, Steve Earle and Donna the Buffalo.

This year the Will McLean Festival is honoring Margaret Longhill, from Dunnellon, FL, who has been the gentle, guiding hand and inspiration for hundreds of musicians who have found their voices for Florida. Since she first met Will McLean (1919-1990), the first folk artist inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame, she has continued to keep the flame burning of Will’s desire to “Save Florida Through Music.”

“Music is a magical way to teach the value of our blessed, flowered land,” says Longhill. Whether it’s her support for the young performers or the annual ‘Best New Florida Song Contest,’ Longhill possesses the ability to nourish and encourage songwriters across the state simply with her incredulous smile and engaging enthusiasm. As a result, the library of songs about this “Land of Flowers” continues to grow.

The presentation will include a live interview with Longhill on stage interspersed with performances by three former “Best New Florida Song Contest” winners as well as a song by two young performers who represent Longhill’s passion for supporting the musical talent of youth at the festival. The presentation gets underway at 8:00 p.m. Saturday night, March 12th on the Magnolia Stage followed by performances from musicians Brian Smalley at 8:45 p.m., Amy Carol Webb at 9:30 p.m., and Still Friends at 10:00 p.m. The complete schedule of performers for the three-day festival is available at www.willmclean.com.

Will McLean Finale Photo The weekend event kicks off Friday, March 11th at noon with musical performances at four covered stage areas plus a variety of workshops. Winners of the Best New Florida Song Contest will be featured on the Magnolia Stage on Saturday, March 12th at noon. This year’s winner is Lauren Heintz from Winter Park, FL with a song called, “Florida Born and Bred.” The 2nd place finishers are Paul Garfinkel from Jacksonville and Pete Price from Ozello, FL with, “Florida Rain.” The 3rd place finisher is Ray Sealey from Quebec, Canada with his song, “The Turpentine.”

This year there will be a battle of the bands by the young performers on Sunday. The young musicians will also showcase their talents throughout the weekend on the Shooting Star Stage and Azalea Stages.

Red and Chris Henry leading a mandolin workshop

Festivalgoers can also participate in a variety of workshops throughout the weekend set in the shade of the towering oaks. Workshop sessions include fingerstyle, flatpick and slide guitar, banjo, fiddle, flute, harmonica, autoharp, dulcimer, mandolin, yodeling, harmony singing, percussion, a gospel sing, and songwriting. It is an excellent chance to pick up pointers regardless of your level of expertise.

Gramma Toni's Coffee Shack

The Will McLean Music Festival features outstanding original arts and crafts and a variety of delicious food.

Maw & Paw's Kettle Corn Attendees may camp alongside performers for the weekend, or come for the day. Pets are welcome (on leashes). Bring your chairs for a one of kind experience of fun and entertainment. There will also be activities for children.

Sertoma Youth Ranch is located at 85 Myers Road, Brooksville, FL 34602. Weekend admission is $40 at the gate. Children under 12 are free. Daily admissions are $20 (Friday), $25 (Saturday) and $15 (Sunday). For information about camping and all aspects of the Will McLean Music Festival, visit www.willmclean.com. Also, “Like” the festival on Facebook to receive the latest Festival updates!

Will McLean Festival web cover