The 5th Suwannee Roots Revival takes place Thursday, October 14 – Sunday, October 17 at the renowned Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) in Live Oak, Florida. A plethora of incredible musicians are slated to perform including Sam Bush Band, Leftover Salmon, The Infamous Stringdusters, Steep Canyon Rangers, Donna the Buffalo, Keller & The Keels, Peter Rowan Free Mexican Airforce featuring Los Texmaniacs, Larry Keel Experience, Jon Stickley Trio, Jim Lauderdale, Darrell Scott, Verlon Thompson, Joe Craven & Painted Mandolin, Rev Jeff Mosier Ensemble, Bowregard, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, The Grass Is Dead, Nikki Talley and Jason Sharp, Ralph Roddenbery, Nicholas Edward Williams, Quartermoon, and Magic Moon Traveling Circus.
Suwannee Roots Revival is jam-packed with stellar music and dance on multiple stages throughout the weekend. This family-friendly festival includes four days of music, camping, yoga, music workshops, a Kids Tent, as well as campground pickin’ sessions. Set in the midst of 800 acres of Spanish moss-draped oak and cypress trees along the Suwannee River, the venue is a playground for endless activities such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, disc golf, and biking.
Suwannee Roots Revival kicks off on Thursday with a big start! Newgrass legend Sam Bush will crush a two hour set with his band before Leftover Salmon closes out the night with a spicy set of their own potent brew of bluegrass, rock ‘n’ roll, folk, Cajun, soul, zydeco and jazz and blues. Master songwriter Darrell Scott will perform the first set of his festival appearances and Thursday will also introduce Sarah Shook & the Disarmers to the SOSMP family. Multi-talented Joe Craven, a beloved festival favorite, will bless the opening of the festival with his wisdom and insight along with his new project, Painted Mandolin.
Friday brings Americana roots troubadours Donna the Buffalo back to the Amphitheater for the first of their festival appearances. They’ll be back at it on Saturday and Sunday including an afternoon set with Mr. Americana himself, Jim Lauderdale, on the Amphitheater Stage, a Porch Stage set, and Suwannee Roots Revival’s traditional Sunday closing set on the Amphitheater Stage where they will be sure to include many special guest artists from the festival.
Friday also brings the first of two festival performances by the intrepid knights of bluegrass—Steep Canyon Rangers, the return of Leftover Salmon for their second appearance, as well as sets by Appalachian psychedelic bluegrass trio Keller & The Keels, the cinematic Jon Stickley Trio, up and coming Colorado bluegrass band, Bowregard (for their maiden Suwannee appearance), and many more including a workshop and Porch Stage set by Darrell Scott.
On Saturday, SOSMP welcomes back The Infamous Stringdusters for some wildly creative bluegrass innovation, the flatpicking legend and his explosive band—Larry Keel Experience, and Peter Rowan flies in with his Free Mexican Airforce featuring Los Texmaniacs. Verlon Thompson will bring his usual wit, charm, and stellar songwriting and musicianship for a set as well as a workshop with Jim Lauderdale and will return the following day for another set.
Vassar Sunday will be filled with festival family favorites culminating with Donna the Buffalo’s closing jam.
Placing a strong emphasis on embracing the traditions that have made the park a national treasure, there will be a wide array of arts & crafts as well as culinary delights ranging from healthy to decadent in the Vending Village. Hands-on and performance workshops will be held throughout the weekend with a variety of artists set to perform. The park itself is a place where kids of all ages can remember why they fell in love with the magic mixture of sights, sounds, and sensations that constitutes a weekend of paradise that is the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park.
Hosted by long time friends of SOSMP, Randy Judy and Beth Judy, Suwannee Roots Revival focuses on showcasing established as well as up-and-coming roots musicians throughout a weekend laced with community based fun, growing friendships, laughing families, and that feel-good feeling you get from hanging out in such a beautiful natural setting.
“It’s incredibly exciting to be returning to our beloved Suwannee and especially to my favorite place to hear music— the natural Amphitheater,” says Beth Judy. “This Roots is a true revival as we bring our amazing community back together after such dramatic and tough times experienced this past year. I believe this Suwannee Roots Revival will bring comfort and joy back to our festival family through the music of so many of our favorite artists along with the laughter, fun and healing we share in the beautiful natural and magical setting of Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park.”
Suwannee Roots Revival offers a multi-day Weekend Ticket that includes festival admission for four days of music, as well as primitive camping on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. Children 12 and under are free if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. A limited number of Early Bird 2 tickets are available before raising to the advance tier price. Student / Military discounts are available (with a valid ID). For complete ticket information and to purchase tickets, visit suwanneerootsrevival.com/tickets/.
The festival poster art was designed by Marci Davis and will be available for purchase at Artist Merchandise.
SOSMP offers guest comforts including a general store, full service restaurant, free showers, indoor bathrooms, and water stations. Upgraded camping, including RV hook ups and cabin rentals, as well as golf cart rentals are currently on sale. Reservations may be made by calling the Park office at (386) 364-1683. SOSMP is located between Jacksonville, Florida & Tallahassee, Florida about 30 minutes south of the Georgia State line, about 45 minutes north of Gainesville and is host to a variety of events. Please visit the park’s web site at www.musicliveshere.com for further information.
Suwannee Roots Revival 2021 Lineup
Sam Bush Band
Leftover Salmon
The Infamous Stringdusters
Steep Canyon Rangers
Donna the Buffalo
Keller & The Keels
Peter Rowan Free Mexican Airforce featuring Los Texmaniacs
Larry Keel Experience
Jon Stickley Trio
Jim Lauderdale
Darrell Scott
Verlon Thompson
Joe Craven & Painted Mandolin
Rev Jeff Mosier Ensemble
Bowregard
Sarah Shook & The Disarmers
The Grass Is Dead
Nikki Talley and Jason Sharp
Ralph Roddenbery
Nicholas Edward Williams
Quartermoon
Magic Moon Traveling Circus
For more information, tickets, and to reserve camping, please visit www.suwanneerootsrevival.com.
