ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida – The Gamble Rogers Folk Festival has celebrated the life and musical legacy of St. Augustinian, Gamble Rogers, for over 27 years. Hailing originally from Winter Park, Florida, Gamble became not only a pivotal figure in American folk music, guitarist extraordinaire, humorist, and storyteller, but also a local legend and hero, beloved by all who knew him. The upcoming 28th Annual Gamble Rogers Folk Festival continues these long-running traditions and festivities with over 100 performers on 4 stages over 3 days. It will be held from April 12th through April 14th, 2024, at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds, 5840 SR-207, in Elkton, Florida.
Featuring a balanced blend of seasoned and up-and-coming performers is a hallmark of the Gamble Rogers Folk Festival. Festival headliners include AJ Lee & Blue Summit and the John Jorgenson Quintet, with supporting acts Verlon Thompson, Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton, Remedy Tree, The Krickets, Red & Christopher Henry & their All-Star Band, and Wyatt Ellis. AJ Lee & Blue Summit is a golden grass band from the Bay Area that draws influences from country, soul, swing, rock, and jam music. John Jorgenson Quintet is a dynamic, authentic gypsy jazz band led by music virtuoso John Jorgenson, known for his fast guitar licks.
With legend Gamble Rogers once calling St. Augustine home, it’s only right that the festival features the region’s best local performers. The following regional and local artists will perform: Chelsea Saddler · Davis Loose & Friends · The North Florida Taildraggers · The Morrow Family Band · Patchwork · Brian Smalley · Lauren Heintz · Thick & Thin String Band · Uncle Mosie · Chuck and Laura Rogers · Lyn Rogers Lacey · The Bullard Brothers · Passerine · Dawson Hicks · Bear & Robert · ManChild · Doug Spears & The Cracker Collective · The Dunehoppers · Michael Jordan · Mary-Lou & Friends · Lee Hunter · Joey Kerr · The Front Porch Backsteppers · Ghost & Bones · Chuck Hardwicke & The Hart Line · Little Mercies · Wax Wings · Paul Smithson · Tina & Her Pony · SUMA · Jerry Mincey with Tony Macaluso · Don Cooper · Jim Carrick · Charley Simmons · Larry Mangum · Mike Shackleford · Neil Dixon · Alana DeBow · Aslyn Baringer McTaggart · Jerry Carris · Tim Higgins · Sue Tice · Eric Searcy · Scott Anderson · Susan Brown · Frank Douglas · Frank Lindamood · Ron & Bari Litschauer · Jeanie Fitchen · Joe Mark · Jim Bickerstaff
One of the highlights of the Gamble Rogers Folk Festival is The YoungFolk Stage, where a new generation of musicians have an opportunity to perform on a nationally-recognized professional stage. These up-and-coming performers are 19 years and younger, showing that the folk music tradition is for all ages. Supporting headliner and mandolin prodigy Wyatt Ellis will be a YoungFolk Stage highlight performance. YoungFolk performers include: Lauren Gilliam · Kade Robertson · Sam Patterson · Eloise Arnold · Katherine Archer · The Rogers Family · Faith Alene · Ben Brown · Ben Koppman · Paige Bechtold · Daniel Hecht · Ben Edwards · Gamble Rogers Middle School Jazz Band · Victoria Griffin · Alivia Hunter · Michael Lagasse · Grayson Lagasse · Jessalyn Lauramore · Jesse Loose · Elcie Nilon · Jesse Sawyer · Sydney Thomas · St. Augustine High School American Music Class · Callum Toner · Madison Wardell
Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased in advance or at the gate. Advance purchase general admission tickets are $100 for the full three-day festival (April 12-14), $35 for Friday night (April 12), $65 for the full-day Saturday (April 13), and $35 for the full-day Sunday (April 14). Gate general admission tickets are $120 for the full three-day festival (April 12-14), $40 for Friday night (April 12), $70 for the full-day Saturday (April 13), and $40 for the full-day Sunday (April 14). Kids 16 and under are free. Primitive camping and RV sites are available for festival-goers. Primitive tent sites are $30, RV sites are $100, and RV Overflow Parking is $75 for the 3-day festival. Food trucks, local artisans, craft vendors, activities for kids, workshops, and more will be on-site for delicious bites, shopping, and fun. Well-behaved and leashed pets are also welcome. Bring your blankets, hammocks, and chairs to relax and revel in the mastery of the wonderful tradition of folk music. High-res photos to accompany the press release can be found here. Tickets can be purchased here.
ABOUT THE GAMBLE ROGERS FOLK FESTIVAL: The Gamble Rogers Folk Festival and Concert Series is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to commemorating the life and music of Gamble Rogers, the folk legend who helped to shape American folk music with his poetic storytelling and passion for folk tradition. The annual festival and concert series aim to keep the folk music tradition alive for future generations by encouraging and supporting young musicians. They also host monthly music workshops for students from local area schools. Learn more at gamblerogersfest.org and follow along on social media @gamblerogersfest
