Agri-Civic Center - Okeechobee, Florida
The YeeHaw Music Fest, held in the Agri-Civic Center in Okeechobee, FL, will run from Janury 18 - 21, 2018 with the gates opening at Noon on Monday, January 15th. Each year since moving from its previous location in YeeHaw Junction, thirty-three miles to the north, this festival has grown, improved, and become an increasingly rich and varied event catering to bluegrass and country music fans from within Florida and from a huge geographic area beyond. Ever since assuming ownership, Ernie Evans and his wife Deb, as Evans Media Source (EMS) have worked to rebuild and expand this festival. The 2018 version will be the most extensive and interesting one yet, gwith significant improvements in the stage, lighting, sound, vendors, and more.
Ernie Evans - Festival Promoter
Tuesday - January 16
Bingo - 1:00 PM
Michael Reno Harell - 7:00 PM
Michael Reno Harrell, story-teller, folk singer,and entertainer is a national treasure. Coming from North Carolina and known throughout the country for the songs he writes and sings, weaving his narrative seamlessly around his evocative stories of his rural childhood and the gritty present. He tells stories of nostalgia, humor and triumph over adversity. His appearance represents a musical addition to the festival, starting it off with a his solo performance on Tuesday evening. His appearance is open to the community for $10.00 at the gate and free to ticket holders for the festival. Don't miss Michael Reno Harrell. Here's a sample of one of his songs:
Michael Reno Harrell - The Nickel
Wednesday - January 17
Traditional Potluck Supper - 5:00 PM
Bring your favorite covered dish for the annual pot luck supper. The festival provides the main course while you provide your side dishes and desert.
Open Mic "Radio Show" - 6:30 - Hosted by Greg Bird
Karaoke
WEMS (Evans Media Source) - Blue Country Radio - 8:30
YeeHaw All Stars and Guests
Pete
Dave O'Brien
The Lineup
T. Graham Brown (S)
Country legend T. Graham Brown, a native of Arabi, GA, whose career includes three #1 country hits and eight other top ten songs along with having recorded thirteen studio albums, will appear for one ninety minute set at YeeHaw Music Fest on Saturday night. He has continued an active career, with a 2014 album Forever Changed, which he co-produced, receiving a Grammy nomination. His 1986 #1 hit, Hell & High Water, below, was recorded in 2014.
T. Graham Brown - Hell & High Water
The Cleverlys (Fr)
The Cleverlys have been described as a "GrassHipPop Fushion" band which specializes in bluegrass based humor. They're a unique sound, look and appeal to the YeeHaw stage. They break down some of the walls in bluegrass with their off-the-wall humor and well-disguised musicianship. They cover songs from across the genre spectrum, turning them into bluegrass. Below is their interpretation of Beck's Loser.
The Cleverlys - Loser
Darrell Webb Band (S)
Darrell Webb is a veteran performer who's been around for longer than his young looks would suggest. He's played with some of the best and fronted several increasingly good bands. Often noted for his deep traditionalism, his work is also sprinkled with diverse influences making his music always interesting and sometimes cutting edge. His present band is one of his best yet.
Darrell Webb Band - Crossroads
Donna Ulisse (Fr)
Donna Ulisse is a Nashville veteran who came to town as a country singer and has distinguished herself as a singer/songwriter leading her own bluegrass band, while continuing to write hit songs for herself and others. In 2016 she was named IBMA songwriter of the year. Her mellow voice and deeply felt songs resonate with her experience and her immersion in bluegrass music.
Donna Ulisse - Back Home Feelin' Again
Dave Adkins (S)
Dave Adkins exudes enthusiasm and a huge talent for song interpretation. People complain that contemporary bluegrass has lost its soul, but maybe it all has just been concentrated into this Kentucky-based singer. Last year at Sertoma, Dave appeared with a new band well-designed to support his unique style of country inflected bluegrass. His strong voice and commitment to excellence show through in every performance.
The Dave Adkins Band - Put Some Grass In It
Larry Stephenson Band (F)
Larry Stephenson brings his crystal clear tenor voice, a deep love of and respect for traditional bluegrass and a seasoned band featuring bluegrass banjo great Kenny Ingram to the YeeHaw Music Fest. His experience goes back to the early1970's, while his sound, uniquely his own, has echoes of great singers throughout bluegrass history.
The Larry Stephenson Band - Where the Soul of Man Never Dies
Monroe Crossing (T)
Monroe Crossing comes from the great bluegrass state of Minnesota, and often displays is Nordic roots in its singing and accents. But don't expect any chill coming from this warm, musically diverse, and exciting band which throws a mixture of bluegrass tones and colors at its audience, always treating them like grown-ups.
Monroe Crossing - Fraulein
Sideline (T)
Sideline ain't a side project any more! They're playing over 100 dates a year and they bought their own bus. They've had a few personnel changes over the past couple of years, each one strengthening the band. They may be the most exciting, and fun to watch traditional cover band touring today. Popular Dobro player Brad Hudson has left the band to stay closer to home, replaced by former Grass Cats lead singer Bailey Coe, who you're going to love. Troy Boone, a recent ETSU alum, on mandolin is a fine singer and mandolin player. Nathan Aldridge graduated from high school and now will really concentrate on fiddle. New father, Skip Cherryholmes, will continue to deliver excitement, while his father-in-law, veteran Steve Dilling tries to keep the whole melange in line. Go-to bass player keeps the beat for everyone. Always fun!
Sideline - Knee Deep in Bluegrass
Swinging Bridge (S)
Swinging Bridge is a very good bluegrass band located on the Southwest side of Florida in the
area around Englewood. They play a good mixture of traditional bluegrass, featuring strong instrumental work and enjoyable singing. It's always a pleasure to see these guys.
Swinging Bridge - County Fool
Remington Ryde (T)
Remington Ryde is a regional band from central Pennsylvania which sponsors its own bluegrass festival during the summer. They have experienced significant lineup changes in the past year or two, so it's a little hard to know who will show up. Regardless of who appears, they'll work hard to try to entertain.
Remington Ryde - Mr. King
Scattered Grass (F)
We enjoyed seeing and meeting this young band last year and look forward to seeing them again. Twin sisters Moe and Spider Prevatt with Sean Campbell and Justin Mason are still a mite raw, but so clearly having a good time and enjoying the scene, I'd have to be a real curmudgeon to be critical.
Scattered Grass - Little Georgia Rose
Alligator Alley (S)
Alligator Alley comes from Southeast Florida, a little removed from the western bluegrass hotbed in Charlotte County. Nevertheless, the band is enthusiastic and contributes significantly to the jamming culture at Evans Media Source festivals through the hard work of Dobro player Justin Mason. Meanwhile, they love bluegrass and are working hard at it.
Alligator Alley - My Father's Prison
The Details
Tickets: Information about tickets can be found at the Evans Media Source web site here: http://www.evansmediasource.com/index_files/evansmediasourcefestivalpage.htm
Three Day Festival Tickets purchased in advance - $72.00 Call (904) 886-8378 or order on line
Reserve seats are $5.00 Extra - Bring your own chairs - No High Backs
There is nearly unlimited rough camping, but sites with water and/or electricity are nearly sold out. You might wish to call to put your name in line in case of cancellations, but you can
Official Festival Host Hotel - The nearby Pier II Resort is the Official Hotel for YeeHaw Music Fest. Call and ask for festival rates. The resort is less than four miles from the Agri-Civic Center.
Other Accommodations: There are a number of other hotels and RV Parks convenient to the Agri-Civic Center. Check Google maps.
How to Get to the Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center
To Map Your Route - Click on the Map Below
Place Your Location in the O Space & click
Festival Emcee - Jo Odum
See you there!
No comments:
Post a Comment