Interview with Adam Pierce of Gov-Fest
We here at MFN had the opportunity to interview the producer of Gov-Fest, a brand new festival in Florida showcasing a wide array of talented musicians and artists!
So in your words, what is Gov-Fest?
Gov-Fest is really a dream 10 years in the making. I’ve attended hundreds of festivals over that time and always wanted to have one of my own. After helping Kenny Blair this past summer over the 4th of July weekend for his The Great Outdoors Jam Festival at the Maddox Ranch, and seeing the overwhelming success, smiles and fun that we had doing such an event, I knew there was no time like the present to do it. So I came home and immediately began planning the first Gov-Fest.
The homegrown family festival feel I got at festivals, such as Russ Bowers’ Orange Blossom Jamboree at the Sertoma Ranch in Brooksville Fl and Cody Bean’s Hometeam New Years Rally also at the Maddox Ranch in Lakeland Fl, is something I really strived to model Gov-Fest after. They both really have it figured out and I hope to mimic that feel while also adding my own special twist into the mix.
Gov-Fest is also a unifying of different states music and art cultures that I have became friends with over the years, the Central Florida scene, the Georgia Scene, the Panhandle of Florida scene and the North Carolina scene. There is really too much talent to really elaborate on, but to name a few, our Headliners Beeb’s and Her Money Makers from Orlando Fl, Big Something from Burlington NC, Come Back Alice from Sarasota FL, Juanjamon Band from St Pete, Copious Jones from Atlanta, GA and the Stadelman Brothers (CopE) from St Pete as well. Honestly some of the best musical talent I’ve ever heard and I cant wait to get them all together under one roof, so to speak, to see what collaborations will unfold and to share it with all the fans!
What is going to make Gov-Fest so unique among other music and art festivals?
Like I said before, I’ve been to hundreds of festivals. Ive seen what worked and what didn’t, what people wanted and what they didn’t want. Taking all this knowledge and experience as a festival attendee, and with the guidance of key individuals, we hope to bring you the most awesome biggest little festival you ever seen. We’ve really assembled a ALLSTAR team of homegrown festivals in Florida to help on this project, Such as Russ Bowers, Megan Baker and Andy Little of OBJ, Trey Miller and his Whats It Records team of Lil Econ Lovefest and Bamboo Jamboo, Stewart Beck from Pass the Good entertainment and the Pass the Good Music and arts festival, plus many many more. Together we hope to give you a event that you will want to attend for many years to come.
When and Where is Gov-Fest?
Gov-Fest 2015 will be held in Lakeland Florida at the beautiful Maddox Ranch under their monstrous oak trees! The gates open at Noon on Thursday February 12th and the event runs till Sunday afternoon, February 15th at 4pm.
Where did the name Gov-Fest come from?
I run the largest group camp that has ever been to the Suwannee, Waneetopia. Over the last 5 years I have forged alliances with neighboring camps and joined smaller groups to our own to form the Super camp of Waneetopia. Our camp prides ourselves in the quality acoustical campfire jam, we have always had numerous bands camping with us or at least stopping by to jam with those that did. In doing all of this, aligning bands and fans together, I acquired the nickname of Gov’nah a few years ago. This fest is made up of 90% of the bands that have played with and for us in Waneetopia. So this being a collaborative of everything I’ve help put together over the years, my nickname being “Gov’nah” and my graphic design business being named “Gov’nah Designs” are among the reasons that I decided to call it Gov-Fest. A party made up of all my friends, new and old, striving to bring you good homegrown art and musical talent that consists of rock, jam, blues, bluegrass, reggae, funk and more!
And lastly, I know you’re a busy man. Where can we get tickets, and what can we expect at Gov-Fest?
To get tickets just visit our website at www.GovFest.net, don’t forget to browse around, as we are making additions and edits daily! You might also pick up discounted tickets from most of the bands listed on the lineup. Gov-Fest is a 4 day music festival, with 35 sub-national and regional bands mostly from South Florida, North Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. We will also be having multiple live painting artists, Art Installations, Yoga Classes, Kids Tent, Wellness Workshops, Fire performers, Theme days, campfire jams and so much more! So make your plans to come, bring the family! Camping is already included in the ticket. We will be having fun for all ages in a safe loving environment!
Thank you Adam for the insight! We will be at Gov-Fest reporting on the ground in February.
Brian Hensley/MusicFestNews 2014
Visit www.govfest.net for more information
Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GovFest