Submitted by Corin Bachman
Contributor
Music is BACK in Monticello! After a pandemic hiatus, the Southern Music Rising (SMR) Festival returns on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. The idea for an annual festival was born in 2005 with the goal of bringing people together while promoting the heritage of American music. This year, the Monticello Opera House will host an amazing lineup featuring eight talented acts across two stages: the historic theatre stage and an outdoor stage in the charming Opera House Garden.
From noon to 7 p.m., SMR guests will enjoy live performances and the sounds of Bluegrass, Folk, Americana, Blues, Country and Rock. There will be local eats from Johnston’s Meat Market and a cash bar on-site, so attendees don’t miss a beat while grabbing a bite or beverage. For those seeking more tastes of town, or a walking tour of the community, downtown shops will be open and several restaurants will be serving lunch and dinner.
We’re excited to welcome the following featured artists:
Grant Peeples
A Tallahassee-based legend who tours coast to coast, Grant is known for his axe-sharp socio-political tunes, raucous humor and heart-gigging ballads. Peeples is a regular performer at The Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, the 30A Songwriters Festival and The Florida Folk Festival and is the recipient of the Focus Foundation Award for Creative Excellence.
Belle & the Band
Kathryn Belle Long and Mickey Abraham have emerged as two of Florida’s most accomplished acoustic performers. The award-winning folk duo play their original music at many of the premier Americana/folk festivals in the Southeast and have toured the East Coast as far north as Canada. As 2018’s Will McLean Best Florida Song winner, Long is currently at the top of her game as a songwriter while Abraham’s unique approach to arranging and teaching music have been featured in Bluegrass Unlimited and Flatpicking Guitar Magazine.
Blue Holler Band
Blue Holler is South Georgia and North Florida’s award-winning premier acoustic bluegrass band performing at regional venues across Georgia, Florida and Alabama. Blue Holler was honored by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA) with 6th place in the 37th Annual SPBGMA International Band Competition in Nashville, Tenn., in 2020. Their instrumental perfection combined with impressive family-style harmonies are unforgettable.
Brian Smalley
Brian Smalley is a well-known Florida guitar picker with ten crafty fingers who plays a variety of musical genres. Smalley has performed all over the Southeast including at the Gamble Rogers Folk Fest, Sarasota Folk Festival and Farm To Family Full Moon Concert Series.
Dana King
Singer-songwriter Dana King calls Thomasville, Ga., home. Her Southern roots run deep and cross all genres, creating a soulful sound all her own. God gave her a gift and she intends to use it!
Ric Edmiston
The Big Bend’s resident acoustic guitar wizard, Ric is a songwriter living in Tallahassee, Fla. He won the 2008 Gamble Rogers Festival Finger Picking Contest and performs regularly at the Florida Folk Festival in White Springs, Fla.
The Scotts
Jane and Gordon Scott have been actively teaching and playing traditional music for more than 30 years. Jane won the 2019 Florida Folk Heritage Award for her work with Irish and old-time fiddling. Both Scotts have performed at numerous folk festivals and venues throughout the Southeast.
Brett Kelly
This will be a homecoming for Brett Kelly, who began his musical journey with the band 19-South playing in the Tallahassee and Panhandle areas of Florida. Brett now calls Beech Bluff, Tenn., home where he continues to travel and play Americana, traditional country, and rock music. He recently recorded several songs at the Blackbird Studio in Nashville and performed at the Blast on the Bay Music Festival in Port St. Joe, Fla.
Come have fun, support local artists and celebrate our shared musical history.
A picking area will be available for concert-goers who want to bring their own string instrument and jam with other local musicians.
Don’t play yet? Enter to win a Yamaha guitar during the raffle, donated by Music Masters (of Tallahassee) and Kelly & Kelly Properties, Inc. (of Monticello).
Tickets for Southern Music Rising cost $10 in advance and $15 the day of the event. Advance tickets are available for purchase in Monticello, Fla., at Kelly & Kelly Properties, Inc. (205 W. Washington St.), Sorenson Accounting (285 E. Washington St.) and Oh Happy Day Gifts (315 N. Jefferson St). Online tickets are available via the Monticello Opera House website at www. monticellooperahouse. org/shows with a $2.00 convenience fee.
If you’re planning to spend the weekend, consider staying at one of the local lodging establishments listed at www. jeffersoncountyfl. gov/p/recreation-tourism.
Looking for a way to support Southern Music Rising? A variety of volunteer opportunities are available the day of the event. Contact Pam Kelly at (850) 510-8359 for details.