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This Month At The Waterworks

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Wil Maring and Robert Bowlin

Saturday, January 17th

Doors: 6:30 pm

Show: 7:00 - 10:00 pm

Award-winning singer-songwriter Wil Maring and virtuose guitarist/ fiddler Robert Bowlin combine their talents, smoothly blending elements from oldtime and bluegrass, jazz and blues, celtic and country, to create an original acoustic music all their own. Wil’s songs arise from her rural midwestern roots and paint vivid pictures of her southern Illinois landscapes, but also address emotional topics universal to the human experience. Wil’s clear, airy vocal style and heartfelt delivery, with her proficiency on upright bass and guitar, provide a perfect complement to Bowlin’s instrumental fireworks on lead guitar and fiddle. Wil has toured Japan and played professionally for a decade in Europe, was a Merlefest songwriting contest winner, a Kerrville NewFolk finalist, and they both have performed their original music on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry and NPR’s Whaddya Know program.

Robert Bowlin, a two-time National Fingerpicking and Flatpicking Guitar contest winner, and well-respected Nashville studio musician, has appeared on hundreds of recordings. He has been a band member with legendary artists like Bill Monroe, Maura O’Connell, Kathy Mattea, the Osborne Brothers, Tom T. Hall, Ray Price, and more.

As a duo, Wil and Robert have travelled coast to coast for over a decade, in Canada, the UK and the U.S, playing everywhere from the nation’s largest acoustic festivals to intimate house concerts. Their numerous recording projects, both solo and duo efforts have been well-received by acoustic music radio and fans all over the world.

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Live from The Waterworks

The Gamble Rogers Folk Festival, in partnership with the St. Johns Cultural Council, announces the 2025–2026 season of “Live from The Waterworks”, an intimate monthly concert series celebrating the legacy of St. Augustine’s own Gamble Rogers. Tickets for all shows in the series go on sale Tuesday, August 26, at 10:00 a.m. right here on our Tickets page! There are limited seats available, so purchasing tickets early is recommended. Thank you for your support, you are making dreams come true!

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Our 31st Annual Gamble Rogers Folk Festival 

The Gamble Rogers Folk Festival is proud to announce the first wave of nationally acclaimed artists set to perform at the 31st Annual Gamble Rogers Folk Festival, taking place April 10th, 11th, and 12th, 2026, at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds. This year's lineup brings a mix of Grammy-winning talent, Appalachian storytelling, and powerhouse bluegrass, honoring the rich legacy of folk music and celebrating the memory of Gamble Rogers. Early Bird tickets for the 31st Annual Festival will go on sale mid-December.

Early Bird Tickets 
 

Early Bird Tickets are officially on sale for the 31st Annual Gamble Rogers Folk Festival, happening April 10th–12th, 2026 at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds. From award-winning artists to emerging talent, this year’s festival is shaping up to be one of the best yet! These tickets are available now through February 9th. Save on weekend passes, day tickets, and camping packages by grabbing your tickets early!

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Dom Flemons & The Traveling Wildfires

Grammy Award-winner, American Songster, and American Banjo Hall of Fame inductee Dom Flemons, will be joined by his dynamic supergroup, The Traveling Wildfires. Formed as an evolution of Flemons' lifelong mission to celebrate, preserve, and reimagine roots music, The Traveling Wildfires draw inspiration from his GRAMMY-nominated Folkways albums Black Cowboys and Traveling Wildfire. The group features a talented lineup: Brian Farrow (bass, fiddle; formerly Gangstagrass) and Dante Pope (vocals, drums; formerly Old Crow Medicine Show). Together, they deliver a fiery, fresh sound rooted in bluegrass, country, folk, blues, and Black stringband music.

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Verlon Thompson

Celebrated songwriter, master guitarist, and Oklahoma native Verlon Thompson will also take the stage. With more than three decades as a touring troubadour and as the longtime creative partner to the legendary Guy Clark, Thompson is known for his narrative songwriting, guitar work, and as a talented performer. His songs have been recorded by some of the industry's biggest names, including Jimmy Buffett and Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley, Del McCoury, Trisha Yearwood, Randy Travis, and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. As a producer, Thompson co-created several of Clark's critically revered albums, including Cold Dog Soup and Somedays the Song Writes You. On stage, Thompson's narrative magic and musicianship create an unforgettable experience.

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Alexa Rose

Gamble Rogers Folk Fest welcomes acclaimed singer-songwriter Alexa Rose, praised by NPR Music as "An enchanting new Appalachian voice...sounds like the soul child of Bob Dylan and Dolly Parton." Raised in western Virginia, Rose was inspired by stories of her great-grandfather, who once lived and played with bluegrass legend Lester Flatt. Her 2019 debut Medicine For Living garnered widespread attention when the title track won Merlefest's Chris Austin Songwriting Contest. Rose's 2021 album Headwaters earned national acclaim from American Songwriter and Rolling Stone. Blending old country, traditional folk, rock, and mountain soul, Rose delivers earnest, well-crafted stylings. 

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Ed Snodderly

Joining the lineup is veteran songwriter and performer, Ed Snodderly AKA Es Pearl. In 2001 the third verse to his song, “The Diamond Stream”, was permanently displayed on the Wall Of Honor at the Country Music Hall Of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee. Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Missy Raines and others have recorded his songs. In 1976 he co-founded the iconic venue, The Down Home. Gamble’s last performance was on that stage. “What’s it worth to sing this song?” It’s the question East Tennessee culture keeper and songwriter Es Pearl asks.

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Red and Christopher Henry & Their All-Star Band

Known for their exceptional musicianship and original songwriting, Red and Christopher Henry & Their All-Star Band have made lasting contributions to the bluegrass community. Beginning with Red and Murphy Henry's early performances as a husband-and-wife duo, the family has continued to shape regional bluegrass culture through live performances and their influential Murphy Method instructional tradition. Today, Christopher Henry joins his father, Red Henry, to lead a dynamic All-Star Band known for its tight instrumentation, authentic harmonies, and spirited stage presence, carrying the family's musical legacy proudly into a new era.

These artists represent just the beginning of what promises to be an unforgettable 2026 festival.
More performer announcements are coming soon!

 

Just in time for the holidays, Early Bird tickets for the 31st Annual Festival will go on sale mid-December!


With this initial musician announcement, the Gamble Rogers Folk Festival celebrates the festival's namesake, the beloved Florida troubadour Gamble Rogers, whose legacy continues to inspire generations of musicians, storytellers, and folk enthusiasts.

Apply to Perform

If you are 21 or under and play an instrument and/or sing as a solo or in a group and would like to perform on the YoungFolk Stage at next year's festival, apply today!

Are you a vendor interested in selling at next year's festival? Apply today!

As the oldest music festival in St. Johns County, we are ever grateful to YOU, our longtime and dedicated supporters  to help us keep this important and fulfilling musical legacy alive and well. 

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and we'll look forward to seeing you soon! 

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Here are a few magical moments from our 30th Anniversary Festival Celebration 

with Gamble's own spectacular rendition of his tune, Deep Gap Salute, written in honor of his longtime friend, Doc Watson. 

Why do we celebrate Gamble’s legacy? Find out from our President, Jim Carrick.

Sign up for Gamble Rogers Folk Festival Music News!

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“The Gamble Rogers Folk Festival Inc. is a registered 501(c)3 not for profit charitable organization. Our Tax ID # is 59-361815. No goods or services were provided in exchange for your donation. All contributions are tax deductible. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll-free within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. The toll-free number of the department is 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352)- calling within the state of Florida, or (850) 410-3800 – calling from outside of Florida. The department’s website is www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com Registration Number CH12330”

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