Newell Lodge Bluegrass Festival: Folkston, GA - October 25 & 26 - Preview

Newell Lodge, located a few miles north of Folkston, GA on a live oak hammock in the midst of the piney woods is one of the most delightful venues we get the pleasure of visiting during our bluegrass year. Originally designed as an equine resort with small rental cottages and full horse facilities, owners Harvel and Kay Carter, with the help of Robert Wilson, have turned it into a bluegrass destination.  Shaded by a grove of huge live oak trees and provided with a cook shack selling three meals a day (don't miss breakfast there each day or their excellent baked goods as well as barbecue), a spacious stage, and very good sound provided by Clint Wilson and Brandon Bostic. There are hot showers and a goodly number (constantly being extended) of water and electric camping sites.  This festival, held spring and fall, is a great stop on the trip through for winter visitors headed in either direction or for folks from north Florida and south Georgia. The Newell Lodge Bluegrass Festival will run from October 24 - 26 with some pleasant surprises for early arrivals and folks who remain on Sunday for the gospel sing.

The Lineup

With a fall lineup featuring familiar regional bands and emerging national ones, Newell Lodge presents a strong lineup with much designed to draw people for both the music and the warmth of a family reunion.

THURSDAY 

Open Stage

Midnight Rain   

We haven't seen the Gandy Brothers in several years and are eager to see how they've developed since we last saw the hot picking youngsters.

 

The Wilson Family Band
Clint & Katie Wilson Conducting a Workshop in 2007

 The Wilson Family has been a regional favorite since they first starting performing their combination of gospel standards and originals as well as a lively bluegrass catalog about seven or eight years ago. Their fans, very much including us, have watched them grow, Clint get married, and move on to new and different interests while maintaining their family ties. Now appearing rarely, they remain a strong regional favorite.

Singer/Songwriter Clint Wilson

Katie Wilson

Robert Wilson

Kalyn Hall Wilson
the newest member of the Family

FRIDAY – October 25, 2013

The Thomas Family

The Thomas Family, from Hilliard, FL, has a gospel ministry in song that has become increasingly a part of the Newell Lodge Bluegrass Festival. This year they will be appearing on both Friday and Saturday. It's always interesting to watch the kids in a family band develop. These three have been coming along fine.

 Michael Thomas

Ethan Thomas

Midnight Rain

The Bankesters

The Bankersters, coming from Carbondale, IL, have recently joined the distinguished stable of artists recording for Compas Records.  They have been receiving increased recognition for their tight sister harmonies and original sounds and songs.  Active in the just finished IBMA convention in Raleigh, NC, they have become a greater presence throughout bluegrass music on the festival scene.

Allysha, Emily & Melissa Bankester

Breaking Grass

Breaking Grass comes from Mississippi with driving bluegrass, high energy, and plenty of original music from lead singer Cody Farrar. They were a hit at Newell Lodge last year, and are welcomed back for two days this year.  They deserve a wider audience with their exciting, youth oriented presentation.

 Cody Farrar

SATURDAY – October 26, 2013

The Thomas Family

     JR Davis & The Bridge  

        

JR Davis is a popular country and bluegrass singer from Englewood, FL singing with a band re-named the Bridge when it plays with him, but familiar on the Florida and Georgia bluegrass circuit as Swinging Bridge. The band ably supports his fine singing and also stands for itself with a strong group of regional musicians.

 
Breaking Grass

The Bankesters

Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass

 Danny Paisley, with his fine band in which his son Ryan is rapidly becoming an important cog as the third generation of Paisley's to sing and play at the national level, offers a rough edged, traditional sound and plenty of original songs to complement the covers from the years he played in his father Bob's band. This year he was prominent at IBMA, both in the WAMU's Bluegrass Country radio presentations and in an exciting collaboration band at Wide Open Bluegrass in which he played with Bela Fleck, Ron McCoury, and others. He has appeared this year at folk, bluegrass, and other venues singing his unique style with broad appeal.

Danny Paisle at
Wide Open Bluegrass 

The Details

 

Newell Lodge Bluegrass Festival runs from October 24 - 26 at Newell Lodge in Folkston, GA. Information about camping can be found HERE and advance tickets HERE. Early arrivals will find good company, jamming, as well as a fish fry and a low country boil provided by hosts Harvel and Kay Carter on Monday and Tuesday evenings. This is a great location to stop for the week, rest up, enjoy the fellowship, tour the area, maybe get a little hunting in, take a trail ride, and more.

Low Country Boil

Jamming at Newell Lodge

The Gazebo - Jams, Gospel Sings, Weddings

Ashley & Kay Carter

Harvel Carter

Live Oak

Getting to Newell Lodge
click the "view larger map" below
input your current location in "A"

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A Rental Cottage


Maude Pickle

See you there!