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Angel Band
In memory of our beloved Florida musicians that have passed.
Whitey Markle 1944 - 2019
Whitey Markle has been a fixture on the Florida music scene for decades. He has been performing and writing songs for over 30 years and continues to entertain audiences to this day. His style of music, known as "Swampgrass", is a mixture of bluegrass, folk, and country with a taste of old fashioned Florida "Cracker" thrown in for good measure. Whitey Markle and the Swamprooters (as his band is affectionately called) have released two CD's, Cracker Blue and Hog Wild.
Whitey has also written a book about his experiences in Florida called Whitey Markle's Recipes with Tales and Tunes.
Songwriter and environmental advocate Whitey Markle visits the Ocklawaha, one of FLorida's most beautiful rivers. The music is his song, "The Poor Old Ocklawaha" performed by Whitey and his band -The Swamprooters".
​ In addition to being a performer at noted festivals such as the Florida Folk Festival & the Will McLean Music Festival, Markle has been involved with the Suwannee/St. John's Sierra Club, the Silver Springs Alliance, the Putnam County Environmental Council and Florida Defenders of the Environment.
Margaret Longhill October 16, 1921 – March 1, 2018
President Emeritus of the Will McLean Foundation, Margaret Longhill, is credited for her work helping to get Will McLean into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. She is also the key person responsible for the establishment of the Will McLean Foundation and the Will McLean Music Festival.
In January of 2016 multimedia producer, Donna Green-Townsend sat down with Margaret to have a conversation about
her efforts to keep Will McLean's legacy alive as one of Florida's premier songwriters and poets.
See Donna's tribute to Margaret:
MATRIARCH OF FLORIDA FOLK - MARGARET LONGHILL​
https://donnagreentownsend.com/matriarch-of-florida-folk-margaret-longhill-dies/#.Wpok4egbOUm
Will McLean 1919 - 1990
The late Will McLean is best known as Florida's premier folk song writer. McLean was born in 1919 near Chipley, Florida. He spent most of his life in the woods and writing songs. McLean's love of music was nurtured by his grandfather who gave him his first instrument, a gourd and cornstalk fiddle with a horsehair bow.
At the age of six, he wrote his first song, "Away O'ee."
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Many say he was a sweet man with a streak of contrariness.
This trait compelled him to turn his back on celebrity status and to covet his privacy, forsake material comfort and steer clear of regular jobs - even to feud with his friends!
McLean's love of Florida developed as he traveled around the state from the Panhandle hardwood hammocks to the vast sea of grass called the Everglades - camping in wilderness areas, visiting friends and absorbing Florida's history
Songs about people like Acre Foot Johnson and about how the first Seminole War started, came out of those travels and visits.
Though he spent his life traveling the state, McLean took time out for concerts and festivals. He performed at New York City's Carnegie Hall and was sought after for concerts, festivals and school programs.
In the fall of 1989 he received the Florida Heritage Award for outstanding cultural contributions. The annual folk festival at White Springs, Florida was dedicated to him.
On April 17, 1996, Will McLean was inducted into the prestigious FLORIDA ARTISTS HALL OF FAME.
Cancer claimed the life of Will in January 1990. He was laid to rest on the banks of the Oklawaha River at Gore's Landing where a permanent marker honors him.
The Will McLean Music Festival is held each year in the Spring. Friends gather for a few days of Will's music, along with new friends and new music. The festival is open to the public.
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For information on the The Will McLean Foundation visit: https://willmclean.com
Gamble Rogers January 31, 1937-October 10, 1991
Steeped in the oral tradition of storytelling and philosophical humor, he first gained national prominence as a member of the Serendipity Singers, playing lead, acoustic and electric guitars. Music led to storytelling, as the band asked Gamble to be their spokesman.
He introduced and verbally set the stage for their songs when they appeared on television shows such as "The Tonight Show," "Hootenany," and "The Ed Sullivan Show."
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Gamble Rogers has been described by journalists coast-to-coast as:
"An American treasure ... an awesome talent ... one-hundred percent enjoyable ...
a rare and guaranteed treat ... worthy of inclusion in the Smithsonian."
James Gamble Rogers, IV
"The stories I tell are all true except the few that are obviously whimsy."
Bobby Hicks 9/4/1953 - 12/19/2007
Bobby Hicks brought a special message and song to all of those who have come to love and enjoy the real Florida. Bobby's songs gave us tales of Zachariah Creech, tales of Hurricanes and Condos, and Florida's natural beauty.
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Many people felt his "I'm Florida" should have been the next Florida State song. and he encapsulated the "personas" of many true native Floridians in such compositions as and "Grayton Jackson",
a Florida moonshiner. He appreciated "Real Florida".
Booby was co-host of the "Florida Folk Show on WMNF radio
along with Pete Gallagher.
Frank Thomas
Frank Thomas is has been lovingly referred to as the Patriarch of Florida Folk.
James Gamble Rogers, IV
"The stories I tell are all true except the few that are obviously whimsy."
Mindy Simmons
Mindy Simmons
James Gamble Rogers, IV
"The stories I tell are all true except the few that are obviously whimsy."