Joyful Celebration “Way Down Upon the Swanee River” at Roots Revival
The second annual Suwannee Roots Revival festival was a joyful celebration of roots music. The four-day festival was hosted by the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park along the banks of the ancient Suwannee River in Live Oak, Florida.
Part of what makes Roots music unique is the honesty of the music itself. You can’t cheat at it. You can’t hide it behind auto-tune or an over-processed output from a mixing board. The purity of the music and the underlying sentiments are transmitted without the necessity for translation. Roots music is an art form that is based on real-life experiences that are delivered through unfiltered expression. With a lineup of artists that shared those common themes, the Suwannee Roots Revival festival captured that expression perfectly.
The park started filling up early on Wednesday with dedicated festivalgoers creating their temporary campsite homes — each with their own flair. From elaborate lighting hung high in the Spanish moss-draped oaks around the lake to the kaleidoscope of tapestries surrounding tents and RVs, each area of the expansive park was transformed into a wonderland of festive creativity. By Thursday afternoon the festival was in full swing, and we rode high on waves of music for the next four days.
There were many tributes during the festival paying homage to late musical legends, including Gainesville native Tom Petty. The boys from Chatham County Line did a bluegrass-flavored cover of Petty’s “You Don’t Know How it Feels” that earned them a full crowd standing ovation. These masters of the the condenser mic delivered perfect two- and three-part harmonies with tight bluegrass stylings.
These Two. There is something magical that happens when these two dear friends get together. The masterful storytelling and musical prowess of Verlon Thompson and Shawn Camp led the crowd on a journey through the songs of their friend, the late troubadour Guy Clark.
The sudden loss of Col. Bruce Hampton, Ret., earlier this year was a deep blow for many. As a long-time member of the Suwannee family, his legacy lingers in the very soil there. The Symphony of Gratitude tribute with Rev. Jeff Mosier and many of Col Bruce’s friends was a fitting tribute to the man who helped craft the Jam scene. With instruments held high above their heads during the finale, you could feel the Zambi wash over everyone on stage and fill the amphitheater crowd with his spirit.
This was one sensational set of Americana music. Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters have hit a new stride with their new self-titled album. Amanda Anne’s lyrics and vocals dig deep into emotions that we have all felt at some point in our lives; with the support of the rest of The Honeycutters, they have nowhere to go but to the top.
There were so many amazing sets throughout the weekend that it would take a week to mention them all. Check out the pictures from the weekend and relive some of your favorite shows.
The full lineup included Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn, The Wood Brothers, Peter Rowan Dharma Blues featuring Jack Casady, Donna the Buffalo, Steep Canyon Rangers, Mother’s Finest, Chatham County Line, Jim Lauderdale, Verlon Thompson, Shawn Camp, Rev Jeff Mosier Band, Willie Sugarcapps, The Lee Boys, The Revelers, Joe Craven & The Sometimers, Seth Walker, River Whyless, Nation of Two, Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters, The Grass Is Dead, Rumpke Mountain Boys, Dread Clampitt, Richie & Rosie, Grandpa’s Cough Medicine, The Pine Box Dwellers, Katie Skene, Belle and The Band, The Adventures of Annabelle Lyn, Quartermoon, Sloppy Joe, LPT, The Walker Family Band, The Dunehoppers, Habanero Honeys, Jeff Bradley, Suwannee Spirit Kids Music Camp, and Tania & Magic Moon Traveling Circus.
