Iris DeMent to headline, along with Bill and the Belles, Robin and Linda Williams, and Richard Smith
The Gamble Rogers Folk Festival and the St. Johns Cultural Council have announced the headliners and ticket sales for the 27th annual festival celebrating the legacy of legendary troubadour Gamble Rogers, whose balladry and storytelling helped shape American folk music. The event will take place April 14-16 at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds — with four stages featuring performers including headliners Iris DeMent, Bill and the Belles, Robin and Linda Williams, Richard Smith, Annie & the Hot Club, and Red and Chris Henry and Their All-Star Band. Festival and camping passes are available at gamblerogersfest.org.
“We are thrilled to bring this event back to the St. Johns County Fairgrounds,” said Lolly Rogers, the President of the Board of Directors for the festival. “We are thrilled to partner with the St. Johns Cultural Council, an organization that supports music, arts, and culture in our community.”
The Gamble Rogers Folk Festival annually draws thousands of spectators to hear singers, songwriters, storytellers and Americana acts who were influenced by Rogers’ music. The music festival showcases dozens of national, regional and local musicians and storytellers. Food trucks and arts and crafts vendors will be available all weekend. Festival attendees have the option to stay and camp at the venue, with advance reservations. Camping reservations must be made in advance and day-of festival tickets will be available at the gate.
Proceeds of the Gamble Rogers Folk Festival provide funds for youth music programs for school-aged children.
This event is presented by the Gamble Rogers Folk Festival, a nonprofit established to commemorate Americana folk music and supported by the St. Johns Cultural Council, which promotes and presents arts, culture and heritage activities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches. The 2023 Festival is funded in part by the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council.
Volunteers are needed for the event, with perks that include admission to the 3-day event. To learn more, email gamblerogersvolunteers@gmail.com
Iris DeMent
About Iris DeMent
With an inimitable voice described by John Prine as “like you’ve heard, but not really” and unforgettable melodies rooted in hymns, gospel, and old country music, Iris DeMent is a well-known singer-songwriter in America. Her debut record Infamous Angel, which just celebrated its 30th anniversary, was recently named one of the “greatest country albums of all time” by Rolling Stone, and the two albums that followed, My Life and The Way I Should, were both nominated for Grammy Awards. DeMent’s songs have been featured in film (True Grit) and television (The Leftovers) and recorded by numerous artists. Fittingly, she received the Americana Music Trailblazer Award in 2017. Her new album, Workin’ on a World, will be released on February 24, 2023.
About Gamble Rogers
Known as the “Florida Troubadour,” Rogers popularized the state’s folk traditions in music, storytelling, writing and philosophical humor. After Rogers died in 1991 while trying to save a man from drowning at Flagler Beach State Recreation Area, the park was renamed Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area. Gamble Rogers Middle School in St. Augustine is also named in his honor. Learn more about Gamble Rogers and the Festival at gamblerogersfest.org.
Bill and the Belles
Robin and Linda Williams
Annie and the Hot Club Trio
