Newell Lodge Bluegrass Festival - Folkston, GA - March 9 - 13

The Newell Lodge Bluegrass Festival presented by Harvin Carter will run from March 9 - 13, 2016 at Newell Lodge just north of Folkston, GA in a beautiful live oak grove surrounded by Georgia's piney woods. Providing water/electric hookups, the full service Hold Your Horses Cafe, and hot shower facilities, as well as rental cottages, Newell Lodge is isolated, yet convenient to highways, a perfect venue for a getaway to a long weekend. Featuring strong national bands and popular local/regional ones, Newell Lodge has improved in every way during the past year.

The Lineup

Claire Lynch

Claire Lynch, three time IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year, is, perhaps, the finest song stylist in bluegrass music. Blessed with a beautiful singing voice, she has surrounded herself with top-notch musicians whose instrumental versatility and virtuosity perfectly complement her song choices. Claire has announced her semi-retirement from the road, so take this opportunity to see and hear one of the all-time greats. 

The Audience in the Shade of the Live Oaks

Mountain Faith

Mountain Faith returns to Newell Lodge after the highly acclaimed performance last year in NBC's America's Got Talent where they sang their way to the semi-finals, the furthest any bluegrass band has reached on this popular television program. Beginning their career as, largely, a gospel bluegrass band, they have widened their repertoire into bluegrass and country, where they have become a national attraction. Headed by Summer McMahon singing and fiddle playing, the band is young and attractive. 

Jamming in the Hold Your Horses Cafe

Larry Gillis Band

Larry Gillis has long been noted for his hard driving banjo play with both three finger and claw-hammer styles. His unique Swampgrass style reflecting the south Georgia Okefenokee area is deep country traditional bluegrass.

The Stage at Newell Lodge

Goldwing Express

The Goldwing Express has developed a large and loyal fan base through hard work and carefully developed marketing of DVD's recorded on the spot prominently featuring members of the audience, particularly service veterans who participate in their march of service hymns.  

Deeper Shade of Blue

Based in Monroe, NC, Deeper Shade of Blue is a strong regional band that should be more widely known. Father son duo Jim Fraley on banjo and Jason Fraley on mandolin are superb instrumentalists. Dobro master Frank Poindexter is well known in Florida for his long association with the Rice brothers. He has recorded and toured widely. Troy Pope, nurtured as a gosple singer, is a fine bluegrass tenor. While this band is not well-known outside North Carolina, they represent the best in that state's fine collection of bands. 

Gentle River Gospel Bluegrass Band

Gentle River Gospel Bluegrass Band makes a return visit to Newell Lodge. Hailing from the Jacksonville Area, the  band has been together for more than fifteen years playing mostly churches and festivals in the area. 

The Details

Hosts Harvin and Kay Carter, with the assistance of Evans Media Source, provide a perfect locale for a weeklong or weekend getaway in the south Georgia woods. Dotted with comfortable cottages and plenty of RV sites with water/electric hookups, the Lodge also offers trail rides on horses available on site, as well as tasty home-made food at the Hold Your Horses Cafe.  The live oak grove creates a peaceful, beautiful environment for being outdoors and attending a festival. For information about renting a cabin or reserving an RV site, look here. For tickets to the Bluegrass Festival, go here. You can also make reservations by calling 912-496-2838. 

Jamming in a Gazebo

How to Get to Newell Lodge

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Harvin Carter

Ashley & Kay Carter

Debi & Ernie Evans

Photo: Bluegrass Today