The 55th annual Florida Folk Festival has come and gone. Three days of picking, singing and
nearly freezing to death. This was my first year to attend this nationally respected festival
and it was especially meaningful because my band , "Ancient City Slickers" was invited to
play. We played three times over three days in two different venues . The main stage twice
and the Tower stage. Between performances there was time to visit the many other venues all
of which had great music and outstanding musicians. In the evening before the cold became
unbearable there was jamming going on everywhere. Take your choice : bluegrass, swing,
story-telling folk, zydeco, country, gospel, it was all there. I learned a few new songs,
played some old ones and heard some wonderful Florida stories. Just across the road was a
jam that included Red Henry and his son Chris. ( No tab was used ! ) They did some mandolin
picking that was spectacular. I met a slew of NFBA members who were there to watch, perform
and just pick. A great weekend and great music.
Which brings me to my next subject our EXPO. This annual event should be one of the best
ever. The bands are ready to play, the workshops are ready and the food is plentiful. It
will probably be cold in the evening but the picking will go on ! Your Board of Directors
has been real busy getting everything ready.
By the time you get this newsletter the EXPO will be over and we will all be recovering from
Thanksgiving and getting geared up for Christmas. From all of us on your Board may it be a
blessed and thanks filled one. How so very fortunate we are to be living in this great
country we call America. Let us not forget that in our prayers.
It has been a great year for us and 2008 is just around the corner filled with new
opportunities for the NFBA .
....See you between the campers !
Cable Spence, President
