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Live from The Waterworks
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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!
Will Maring and Robert Bowlin
​Saturday, January 17th
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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.
Sunny War
​Saturday, February 21st
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Doors: 6:30 pm
Show: 7:00 - 10:00 pm
Sunny War is an American singer and songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee. Her sound is frequently categorized as folk-punk while her songwriting is often described as introspective. Her songs blend rock, gospel, and country music. She began her music career in 2014 with the release of her extended play Worthless, but garnered mainstream attention and critical praise after the release of her 2020s albums.
Pat Bergeson & Bruce Forman
​Saturday, March 21st
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Doors: 6:30 pm
Show: 7:00 - 10:00 pm
Pat Bergeson
Guitarist and harmonica player Pat Bergeson has written, toured, and recorded with many of his musical heroes. Beginning at the University of Illinois in his home state, he moved on to New York City and picked up a Jazz Studies degree at William Paterson University. After playing in New York for ten years, he moved to Nashville upon the request of Chet Atkins who heard Pat on a demo tape. Chet invited him to play on his album “Sneakin’ Around” with Jerry Reed, and later featured Pat’s guitar and compositions on his 1994 release Read My Licks. They were good friends and toured together for several years.
A versatile guitarist as well as chromatic and diatonic harmonica player, Pat’s style incorporates jazz, blues, rock and finger style and he is known for his session work with a variety of artists. He has been in the studio with Lyle Lovett, Alison Krauss, Dolly Parton, Bill Frisell, Martin Taylor, Suzy Bogguss, Bill Evans, Peter Frampton, Michael McDonald and many others. He has toured with Shelby Lynne, Madeleine Peyroux, Wynonna Judd, Suzy Bogguss and then four years with Lyle Lovett and his Large Band. Pat has been a teacher and producer and has appeared on many movie soundtracks.
Bruce Forman
Bruce Forman is a renowned jazz guitarist with an extensive career spanning decades. He's known for his active touring schedule, numerous recordings as a leader and sideman, and contributions to film soundtracks, including the Academy Award-winning "Million Dollar Baby". Forman is also an acclaimed educator, serving in residence at USC's Studio/Jazz Guitar Department. He has been praised by jazz figures such as Barney Kessel.
Walter Parks
​Saturday, May 16th
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Doors: 6:30 pm
Show: 7:00 - 10:00 pm
Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Walter Parks is both entertaining and educational, presenting historic music, original music and stories that preface songs in a contemporary way. Walter toggles between hollers, spirituals, Appalachian reels, Delta blues, work songs, swamp jazz and even bits of opera all delivered with Walter’s northeast Florida swampy feel. At every show Walter tributes Woodstock legend Richie Havens with whom he served as sideman for 10 years performing worldwide in Madison Square Garden, The Glastonbury Festival and Carnegie Hall amongst other prestigious venues. Walter was recently invited by The Library of Congress/American Folklife Collection to archive his research work on the music made in southeast Georgia’s Okefinokee Swamp. Now based out of St. Louis, Walter has recently co-written with Stan Lynch, former Tom Petty drummer and has performed at various venues with R&B drum legend Bernard Purdie and at Lincoln Center with Judy Collins. Walter tours solo, with his trio Swamp Cabbage and with The Unlawful Assembly, a group that reimagines historic spirituals, propelled by drummer Steven Williams and female vocalist Ada Dyer who’s currently on the Bruce Springsteen world tour. Walter was a founding member of The Nudes, a popular folk duo, with cellist Stephanie Winters.
Guy Davis
​Saturday, June 20th
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Doors: 6:30 pm
Show: 7:00 - 10:00 pm
Guy Davis is a renowned American blues musician, actor, and songwriter, recognized for his authentic blues sound infused with elements of folk, rock, and world music. Davis has received two Grammy nominations and multiple Blues Foundation nominations for his music, as well as the Keeping the Blues Alive Award for his acting work. His album Legacy was recognized by NPR and DownBeat in 2004. He has performed with and opened for numerous notable musicians. Davis is recognized globally for his extensive touring. Beyond music, Davis is an actor, playwright, and novelist. He has also developed an educational program and teaches master classes on blues music. He is the son of actors Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis.
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!
CD's
GAMBLE ROGERS
A Troubadour's Life
Beloved raconteur, environmentalist, and down-home philosopher, Gamble Rogers (1937–1991) ushered in a renaissance of folk music to a place and time that desperately needed it. In this book, Bruce Horovitz tells the story of how Rogers infused Florida's rapidly commercializing landscape with a refreshing dose of homegrown authenticity and how his distinctive music and personality touched the nation.
