YeeHaw Music Fest - January 15 - 20, 2019 - Preview

The YeeHaw Music Fest will be kicking off its 25th Anniversary season at the Agri-Civic Center in Okeechobee, Florida on January 15th and run through January 20th with the quality and fan-friendly warmth that has come to characterize events promoted by Evans Media Source. Once again, Ernie and Debi Evans have brought together outstanding national bluegrass bands with high quality regional bands. Highlights will be Hall of Famer Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver along with IBMA Entertainer of the Year Balsam Range. The usual round of engaging activities will continue from the moment the gates open on Monday until the last act closes on Saturday evening. Camping facilities are convenient, hot showers available. There will be quality vendors offering a range of festival foods, and plenty of jamming around the Park. Located in southern Florida, warm weather, even in January, is the standard. We always look forward to kicking off our winter season with this historic festival, once located in a pasture about thirty miles north of Okeechobee in YeeHaw Junction and now celebrating its fourth year in the wonderful Agri-Civic Center, located just on the edge of Okeechobee.

Agri Civic Center, Okeechobee, FL

The Agri-Civic Center provides plenty of space for all kinds of RV's including water and electric. The shed provides almost unlimited space for holding a bluegrass festival, offering good sound, space for vendors, including an RV display, and all-season cover along with convenient flush facilities and easy access. Shuttle services help convey festival goers from their sites to the performance areas, including the main stage and the workshop stage.

The Lineup and Schedule:

Doyle Lawson & Quicksiilver (Sa)

With more than fifty years in bluegrass, Hall of Famer Doyle Lawson has played in some of the most important bands in bluegrass history, as well as fronting his own band for decades. Once again, this year, they have been named IBMA Vocal Group of the Year for their solo work as well as their gospel quartet. Fans across the country continue to be captivated by this man and his band. 

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver - 

Balsam Range (Fr)

Buddy Melton

Founded only eleven years ago, Balsam Range has established a remarkable record of recording success and high level recognition, with three IBMA Entertainer of the Year awards and fiddle player/vocalist Buddy Melton having scored three Male Vocalist of the Year awards. This year, bassist/band emcee Tim Surrett was named Bass Player of the Year, too. Hailing from the rural mountain county of Haywood, NC, the band features a remarkable repertoire of traditional sounds coupled with driving southern rock covers and fervent gospel music. This band always pleases with its quality and innovative sound. 

Balsam Range - Matthew

Summer Brooke & Mountain Faith (Sa)

Summer Brooke McMahan

Also from the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Mountain Faith began its life as a young, enthusiastic gospel band, catching national attention as runners-up on America's GotTalent. The band has continued to broaden its repertoire, while appearing at bluegrass festivals and singing the National Anthem at major league events in football and other sports, making friends for bluegrass across the nation.  They show their versatility in this cover of Lady Antebellum:

Mountain Faith - Milan

Nothin Fancy (Th)

Mike Andes

Nothin' Fancy has been a fixture on the bluegrass trail for nearly twenty-five years, combining songs written from within the band with well-chosen covers, especially of The Country Gentlemen. Their well-loved humor includes both broad farce and subtle musicality. Since signing with Mountain Fever records, their music and humor has received increasingly serious attention and their popularity has spread still further. We always look forward to spending time with this band which keeps the sawdust between their toes while always striving successfully for greater quality and style.

Nothin' Fancy - Simon Crutchfield's Grave

Mile Twelve (Fr)

New Zealand's BB Bowness

Mile Twelve, based in Boston, has emerged from the red hot bluegrass and Americana scene in The Hub and sparked by Berklee College of Music. Candidates for IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year in 2018, they won a Momentum Award in 2017. The band's members have assembled from all over, but the talented BB Bowness on banjo has come the farthest, from her home in New Zealand to study at Berklee. The other members of the band were drawn to the light currently glowing in and around Boston. Mile Twelve is melodic, musical, and personable. Make sure you get to know them while they're at YeeHaw and in Florida this winter.

Mile Twelve - Our Last Goodbye

Monroe Crossing (Th, Fr)

Monroe Crossing hails from that great old time bluegrass state of Minnesota. Each year they magically appear in Florida, usually before heading out on or coming back from a much needed Caribbean cruise. Their music ranges from the deeply traditional to the interestingly progressive, with rock covers and folk music sprinkled through their sets. They're always fun and sometimes surprising. 

Monroe Crossing - Long, Cool Woman in a Black Dress

Dave Adkins Band (Sa)

Dave Adkins loves what he's doing! He squirms like a puppy with his belly being rubbed every time something in his music tickles him. He has a big, deep country voice which helps display his roots and love of music. He's a hard working musician who brings his all to every performance. 

Dave Adkisn - Put Some Grass In It

Don Rigsby (Sa)

Don Rigsby has had a long and distinguished career as a musician as well as having spent some significant time as a college administrator, working to preserve and extend traditional music. He has played with some of the great bands in bluegrass history, including J.D. Crowe & the New South, The Lonesome River Band, and Longview, as well as others. Most recently, he has been featured with Flashback. He is an articulate spokesman for maintaining traditional music as well as one of the great, in demand, tenor singers in the history of bluegrass music. 

Don Rigsby - The Mountain Doctor

Jeff Brown & Still Lonesome (Th)

Jeff Brown has spent much of his life as a working musician, meaning he also has to find a variety of ways to make a living. In his case, this has included work as a bluegrass DJ and concert promoter, among other endeavors. Through the years, he has performed with the likes of Larry Sparks, Charlie Sizemore, Ralph Stanley, Jesse McReynolds and many others, in addition to having been named a Kentucky Colonel. With his current band, including his son Austin, Still Lonesome, he has released two albums, the most recent being on Mountain Fever Records. He has been a regular at EMS events during the past couple of years. 

Jeff Brown & Still Lonesom - Appalachia Is My Name

Roxeen & Dalrymple (Sa)

The face is familiar, but the band may be new to you, as it was to me. Then I recognized Gary Dalrymple, for more than twenty years the mandolin player, harmony singer, and road manager of The Spinney Brothers. With their retirement from the road, Gary has formed this new duo with Roxeen Roberts, who was a bandmate with the Spinney's twenty-five years ago. This duo looks and sounds like an engaging change of pace.

Wildflower - Roxeen & Dalrymple

Scattered Grass (Tu,Th)

Composed of four local musicians from the Okeechobee area, the members of Scattered Grass are all well known to attendees of the YeeHaw Music Fest. The Prevatt sisters (Spider and Moe) bring their perky enthusiasm and sister harmonies to the band, which also features Sean Campbell on banjo. Justin Mason, on mandolin, has become a regular at EMS festivals, bringing his enthusiasm and organizational skills to encouraging jamming in the jam tent and contributing in other ways as needed. Scattered Grass will host the open Mic on Tuesday with the concert release of their new CD  Always energetic and musical.....

Scattered Grass - Little Georgia Rose

Sandy Back Porch (Fr)

Sandy Back Porch is an Orlando-based bluegrass band frequently seen and heard in the central Florida region. Enjoy their bluegrass and gospel music. 

Sandy Back Porch - Sitting on Top of the World 

Sunday Morning Gospel Sing

Jan Ladd

Jan Lass, her husband Larry, and several members of their band offer a non-sectarian Sunday morning Gospel Sing at 10:00 AM on Sunday morning. For many attendees at EMS events, this low key period of song and reflection provides an opportunity for simple worship and helps prepare them for the drive home. 

Les Sears

Radio DJ Les Sears will be hosting the open Mic "In the Spotlight" at the Pot Luck Supper on Wednesday evening.

Pot Luck Supper

Jo Odum

The ever popular Jo Odum returns as the emcee at Evans Media Source events for another celebration of bluegrass. 

Jan Ladd will host a gospel sing on Sunday morning at 10:00 AM 

This year's YeeHaw Music Fest lineup is power packed and diverse. It will prove, once again, to provide a great kickoff event for the winter season of Florida bluegrass. 

The Details:

Dates: The YeeHaw Music Fest will run from January 15 - 20, 2019 with the gates opening for campers on Monday, January 14 at the gate on highway 710 only at 9:00 AM

Call for Tickets, Camping Reservations and Reserved Seats: The New Phone is 386.385.3500!
Tickets:
3 Day Gate Price = $85.00 (Advanced Ticket Sales are  Closed)
Daily Tickets:
     Thursday: $30.00, Friday and Saturday: $35.00 per day
Children 12 and Under 12 Free with a Paid Adult
Reserve Seating: $5.00 per person
Bring a comfortable Chair - No high backs or conventional rocking chairs. The cylinder charis are OK.  - No high back chairs over 35"

Jamming

Camping: There are a limited number of camp sites with hookups.
Get Your Campsite and Reserved Seat by Calling (904) 886-8378 (Reserve Seats are Limited)
Primitive Sites: $15.00
20 Amp Electric = $20.00/per night (Three night minimum)
30 Amp Electric = $30.00/per night (Three night minimum)
50 Amp Electric = $35.00/per night (Three night minimum)

Food and Craft Vendors: This year's scheduled food vendors include a barbecue wagon, fish & shrimp sausage etc., homemade ice cream, and a hot & cold drink wagon. More are still being added. 

Important Details:
Show goes on Rain or Shine (Music is under cover) - There are no refunds!
Wristbands must be worn.
Park Rules and Regulations are posted and must be obeyed!
Golf carts must have lights and drivers have licenses.
No Pets, Smoking or Alcohol in the concert and food vendor areas.

How To Get to the Agri-Civic Center

The Okeechobee Agri Civic Center 

4601 FL-710

Okeechobee, FL 34974

Place your Address in the Space Marked O

Click to Make a Personalized Map

YeeHaw Music Fest is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year. I haven't been told what surprises you can expect, or they wouldn't be surprises, would they? Evans Media Services has rebuilt this festival from near failing a very few years ago into a thriving and growing event. Come and celebrate the re-birth and anniversary with Ernie and Deb Evans.

Ernie Evans

Deb Evans

Yee Haw Music Fest - Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center - January 18 - 21, 2018

 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

Ernie Evans has re-imagined the bluegrass festival as a week-long journey, akin to a land-based cruise with activities taking place every day from the opening of the gates on Monday at noon to the Sunday morning Gospel Music Jam, which many festival goers attend before packing their trailers and motor-homes for their return trip. Using the building and grounds effectively to offer a range of musical and social activities, while leaving time to explore the region, eat at nearby restaurants, go fishing, or seek other enjoyment, the festival offers much, beyond the world class music it features.

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!

YeeHaw Music Fest 2017 - Part 2 Review

Friday morning continued the fine weather that had set a hard-to-beat standard for any festival, anywhere. Combined with a flexible, wide open venue, and capable, hard-working volunteers, and good planning (despite the inevitable small issues that always arise) the festival continued to create the kind of musical and personal experiences that lead to lifelong memories. The bands ranged from some of the best in the business to high quality local and regional bands worth hearing. Let's take a look.

The Cunning Hams

Frank Cunningham has been involved in Florida bluegrass for a long time. He's currently teamed with Dave O'Brien and a comely and talented pair of twin sisters to present a pleasant and tuneful opening set, His appearance at this year's YeeHaw provided continuity with the old YeeHaw Junction site with the opening set for Friday morning.

Frank Cunningham and Dave O'Brien

Spider Prevatt

 Moe Prevatt

Frank Cunningham

Dave O'Brien

Spider & Moe

 Typically, when a band plays twice at a festival, I only cover them once. So, for instance, since Nothin' Fancy and Remington Ryde are covered in Part I of the YeeHaw Music Fest coverage having performed on both Thursday and Friday, I won't be covering them in this post. 

Monroe Crossing

Monroe Crossing, a bluegrass band with a difference, comes from the cold north in the middle of the country - Minnesota. They are, perhaps, the best band many of you have never heard of. They play largely in the midwest, with sojourns on each coast with a couple of bluegrass cruises thrown in. They've taken the name of Bill Monroe as part of their name, and put in a reminder that they cross many borders - jazz, pop, folk, rock, and more, all adapted, to a greater or lesser extent, to the bluegrass, with always a nod to the founders of bluegrass as well as a good taste of more contemporary music. One participant on the just landed tour remarked, "I've heard them sing eight sets in the past week with only three repeats, and those were all requests." How many bands do you know that can pull that off? For musical quality, animation, variety, and a lively show, there aren't many better than Monroe Crossing.

Matt Thompson

Derek Johnson

David Robinson

Lisa Fuglie

Mark Anderson

David Johnson & Mark Anderson

Matt Thompson, Lisa Fugile & Matt Thompson

After Hours South Country Classic 

Continuing the theme of Classic Country Music as a complement to bluegrass, South Country Classic presented a set of classic country music. Inviting members of bands which had performed earlier as well as people from the audience while continuing with the core band, they presented a fun and interesting set of music for those with the stamina to stay.

Sonya Stratton

Jr Davis

Ernie Evans

David Johnson

 Josh Griffin - Soundman Shows His Versatility

Dave O'Brien

Blue Cypress Bluegrass

Blue Cypress Bluegrass is a local band based in Vero Beach. They play mostly traditional bluegrass classics and old time country with good tempos and singing. They also can be seen in the campground jamming. 

Tim Lynch

Bill Hare

Allen Rudd

John Apfelthalter

Penny Creek

Penny Creek is also a local band that has improved mightily during the four or so years we've been watching them. Sharpened by steady work at a couple of local venue and steady improvements to their personnel, they have recently added Trevor Klutz at fiddle, who, once again, proves the old addage, "You gotta have a fiddle in the band." Chris Paganoni contributes strong flat picking and singing as well as writing affecting songs. Fritz Kraemer is animated on mandolin. Isaac Taylor is a fine banjo player and singer, with a wide range of styles at his disposal. Susan Pounds, on bass, has provided steady leadership along with her steady, reliable bass and good singing voice. This band is poised to step up to the next level.

Susan Pounds

Isaac Taylor

Chris Paganoni

Fritz Kraemer

Trevor Klutz

Before concluding the music with the great IIIrd Tyme Out, Ernie and Deb Evans took a few minutes to recognize many of the people who have contributed to their growing success over the years. Here are some of the recipients of the plaques. 

Ernie with Deb (Making a Rare Stage Appearance

 Recognition of Previous YeeHaw Owners

Keith & Darlene Bass

Bob Jennin - The Flyer Man

Jo Odum - Premier Emcee

presented by Greg Bird

IIIrd Tyme Out

Throughout its twenty-five year career, IIIrd Tyme Out has consistently ranked at the top of bluegrass bands in the country. Russell Moore has been named Male Vocalist of the Year five times, while the band has also been vocal group of the year five times, also. They've also won a handful of other awards from IBMA and other organizations. This band can be counted on to deliver a first rate performance and to pop up in almost any part of the country. Jerry Cole, on bass, has returned a solidity to that position, while Wayne Benson is widely recognized as one of the finest mandolin stylists and teachers around. They are consistent crowd pleasers. 

Russell Moore

Kevin McKinnon

Wayne Benson

Justen Haynes

Jerry Cole

Russell, Jerry & Wayne

Jo Odom

Over the years, Jo Odum has developed her well-modulated onstage voice, become deeply informed about bluegrass music, and shone a very pleasing and welcoming stage persona. She's one of the best emcees around

No bluegrass festival can work without first rate sound. Evans Media Source provides its own sound for all its own events in addition to those presented by other promoters. Sound technicians must be attentive at all times, as well as present to both set up and tear down. Ernie has trained Josh Griffin and Larry Payton, and they've emerged as a fine sound team, tuning each venue for the particular demands of acoustic music.

Josh Griffin

Larry Payton

Larry On the Job

Matt Dorriety

Agri-Civic Center Manager

Matt Dorriety & Ernie Evans

So Long for Until Next Year

 Next Evans Media source bluegrass event, The Bluegrass Classic to run from February 22 - 26 at the Dog Park on Lockhart Road in Brooksville. Here's the flyer: