Article Contributed by Ashley Feller
Published on October 27, 2025
Suwannee Roots Revival 2025 | photos by Libby Gamble
My soul is mended. I’ve returned from Suwannee Roots Revival, a magical five-day Americana music festival held each October at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida. This celebration was exactly what my mind, body, and spirit needed. As I say every year, I’ve been revived by the wonderful spirits that inhabit the trees, dance on the breeze, and whisper through the palmettos.
The scent of campfire smoke, the sound of laughter between songs, and the glow of string lights all reminded me that this place is more than just a festival—it’s a homecoming. In a world where festivals come and go, Suwannee Roots Revival stands apart as a therapeutic experience rooted in community, music, and love. The event took place October 9–13, 2025, and featured some of the most gifted singer-songwriters and musicians performing today. If you weren’t there, you missed a truly transcendent experience.
I always intend to arrive midday on Wednesday, but once again I found myself working feverishly until the moment it was time to start my solo road trip. If I’m being completely honest, I was up late playing music in a parking lot outside a dive bar, which put me a few hours behind on packing and last-minute shopping. I loaded up my rusty 2005 Impala and headed west on I-10 from Panama City Beach. When I reached the familiar sign for “The Suwannee River,” I joyfully sang the song at full volume alone in my car.
I’m especially grateful for my friends Gary and Shannon, who saved me a spot at their campsite—the perfect place to set up my tent and my new camping canopy, a recent upgrade I gifted myself for my 40th birthday. This year, I aimed to produce both a festival recap article and a video while also interviewing a couple of bands from the lineup. The canopy helped keep my recording equipment secure, dry, and shaded during interviews. Being vertically challenged, I quickly learned I couldn’t set up the structure alone, so I was grateful to Gary and Mitch for their help. After finishing my campsite setup, I sipped my first beer and recognized how much I’ve grown. I’m no longer the minimalist camper I once was, and I’m perfectly okay with that.
My first interview was Thursday morning with Walter Parks, an accomplished singer-songwriter and music scholar whom I had briefly met at the Florida Folk Festival a couple of years earlier. Each time I’ve seen Walter play, I’m mystified by his deep knowledge of folk music from the Okefenokee Swamp and his skillful demonstration of field hollers. Our conversation was enlightening. He shared fascinating stories from his time touring with the legendary Richie Havens.
I have two cherished memories of watching Havens perform at Spirit of the Suwannee over a decade ago, and it felt extra special to learn that Walter had been on stage with him during that same time. Sitting together at my campsite, Walter spoke candidly about his experiences with Havens, as well as his own passions and projects on the horizon. You can catch our full conversation soon on the Sunshine State Showcase YouTube channel.
The festival officially kicked off at 4 p.m. with Chicago’s Henhouse Prowlers. I knew they would be my next interview on Friday afternoon, so this was the perfect chance to watch them set the tone for the weekend. They brought exactly the right energy for a crisp Thursday at Suwannee. Their set was followed by Walter Parks and The Unlawful Assembly, who delivered a soulful performance filled with passion and precision. Vocalist Ada Dyer’s voice floated through the air and into the massive live oaks. We heard Parks’ original tunes and an inventive tribute to Richie Havens’ “Freedom.” The moment felt pleasantly haunting as I remembered the two times I had seen Havens perform on this same stage. The night ended with a thrilling set by Yonder Mountain String Band—only scheduled for Thursday—but what a performance it was. Hearing artist-at-large John Mailander play twin fiddles with Coleman Smith was simply flooring. It was a fantastic jam that left everyone buzzing for the days ahead.
Friday, I spent most of the morning preparing for my interview with The Henhouse Prowlers, my new favorite band from Chicago. For weeks, I had listened to their music on Spotify, explored their TikTok presence, and studied their journey to make sure the interview would be a success. When the four-piece band met me near my campsite, I welcomed them into my portable podcast studio—complete with nearly enough microphones, a couple of cameras, and my trusty Zoom Handy Recorders. Our conversation was insightful and fun, covering their adventures abroad, their collaborative songwriting process, and what truly inspires them.
After we wrapped up, the band treated me to a spontaneous acoustic performance beneath the Florida pines. Their harmonies were razor-sharp yet soulful, cutting through the quiet of the campground. It was a magical moment that reminded me why I love capturing these stories. You can watch the full interview and live performance soon on the Sunshine State Showcase YouTube channel.
After packing up my podcast rig, I made my way down to the venue just in time to catch the last few songs from Verlon Thompson, followed by a full set from The Mosier Brothers Band. Their chemistry on stage is always inspiring—every note tight and full of camaraderie. After their set, I headed back to camp to refuel, but the pull of the music brought me back to the amphitheater later that evening for Oteil and Friends.
This year, the lineup featured Melvin Seals, Steve Kimock, Jason Crosby, Johnny Kimock, Tom Guarna, Lamar Williams Jr., and more. The band transported us into pure nostalgia, weaving together classic Grateful Dead tributes with their own style. Each song flowed effortlessly into the next, creating a seamless, dreamlike journey. The crowd swayed beneath the canopy of oaks, bathed in colored lights, caught in that timeless Suwannee enchantment.
I almost didn’t attend John Mailander’s closing set on Friday evening. As a musician, it can be difficult to sit in the audience for hours when you know your friends are jamming somewhere in the woods around the fire. Still, something told me to push through and catch one last stage performance—and I’m so grateful I did. The show by John Mailander’s Forecast was nothing short of otherworldly. As I descended the amphitheater on sore knees, a dreamlike glow surrounded the stage. I counted nearly nine musicians, each adding their voice to a living, breathing orchestral salad. John is more than a virtuoso on the violin; he’s also a gifted arranger and leader, drawing remarkable interplay from his band.
I was especially drawn to the dialogue between violin and saxophone, punctuated by mesmerizing percussion. The band shifted time signatures effortlessly, embracing each transition with confidence and grace. Midway through the set, John invited a female vocalist to the stage, her voice as smooth as butter and as gentle as the first light of dawn. Toward the end, he softly sang the opening lines of one of my favorite songs, “Isn’t It a Pity,” joined by another vocalist whose harmonies felt like a warm embrace. I hadn’t planned to stay for the entire set, but I couldn’t pull myself away. It was one of those moments where the music lifted me entirely out of time.
Saturday was a full day of beautiful weather and fantastic music. I was fortunate to catch a set by Jim Lauderdale and Verlon Thompson in the music hall. These two masterful songwriters have an easy, humorous rapport that makes their performance feel like an intimate conversation between old friends. It was a joy to watch them trade songs and stories while paying homage to the legendary Guy Clark, whom Verlon performed with for years before Clark’s passing in 2016.
Midway through the set, we were all treated to a tender surprise. It happened to be Verlon’s wedding anniversary, and he called his wife during the show. At his cue, the entire room joined in, cheering, “Happy Anniversary!” I could hear the emotion in her voice, and the crowd’s warmth was palpable. It was one of those small, beautiful moments that remind you what Suwannee Roots Revival is really about: music, love, and the connections that keep us coming back year after year.
I’ve attended festivals at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park since the early 1990s. I’ve spent large chunks of my life learning how to navigate the massive park in the dark—often while inebriated—guided only by laughter, music, and the faint glow of campfires. When I heard that my new musician friends Cristina and Zach Paradise were coming to Roots Revival for the first time, I jumped at the chance to be their guide.
For those who have never attended a festival at SOSMP, the grounds are enormous. Once the festival is underway, driving through the “center of town” isn’t allowed, so getting around takes a bit of insider knowledge. Saturday afternoon, I caught a few songs from the ever-so-talented Jon Stickley Trio before getting the call that Cristina and Zach had arrived at the park office. I quickly met them, hopped into their minivan, and guided them through the boundless campground until we reached our site.
After they settled in, we made our way back to the Amphitheater Stage to see a singer-songwriter I had been following online for a couple of years—Brian Elijah Smith. I was grateful to finally catch his set live. His mysterious vocals and genuine stage presence immediately drew me in. Few singer-songwriters can command the amphitheater crowd alone, but he did it effortlessly. It was clear he made a strong impression on both longtime fans and first-time listeners alike.
We had worked up an appetite, and Cristina mentioned she wanted to see Della Mae. Much to our delight, they had an upcoming set back in the music hall. So what could be better than dinner and a show? If you’ve never had dinner at the SOS Café, you’re missing out. The bartender was top-notch, making beautiful cocktails while also running food to every table in the dining area. The prices were fair, too. I ordered garlic parmesan wings, a generously sized side salad, and a High Noon cocktail for $19.50. The wings were cooked to order, the salad was garden-fresh, and they didn’t skimp on the bleu cheese dressing or sauces for the wings. The server even asked if we wanted more dressing!
While we enjoyed our meal, Della Mae took the stage, looking radiant in matching tie-dye jumpsuits in shades of cerulean. They performed an incredible set filled with energy, musicianship, and joy. Each member played with passion and precision, and their camaraderie was infectious. Watching them felt like being part of something uplifting—a reminder of the strength and spirit of women in Americana music.
After dinner, we made our way to the dance tent for a powerful performance by Florida’s own Sauce Boss. If you live in Florida and haven’t seen Sauce Boss, can you really call yourself a Floridian? The band was delightfully loud, and the crowd was electric as we gleefully chanted “HOT SAUCE!” while Sauce Boss mischievously poured two bottles of his homemade hot sauce into a giant steaming pot of gumbo. Everyone was dancing, and even those too shy to move couldn’t keep their feet still.
When the music ended, Sauce Boss invited everyone to line up by the stage, where he served piping-hot bowls of his seafood gumbo. Yes, we had just eaten wings—but there’s always room for gumbo, especially when it’s made right in front of you by the band. The gumbo was rich and unforgettable, a perfect ending to a night filled with rhythm and flavor.
The Ain’t Sisters closed out Saturday night on the amphitheater stage with songs from their latest album, Atomic, along with a few beloved favorites from past releases. Every time I see this band, I can feel how much they’ve grown over the last decade. They’re dedicated to creativity, community, and connection, and it has been such a joy to witness their journey as they continue to inspire new audiences. I am incredibly proud of them for following their dreams and for evolving from their first daytime amphitheater set to headlining Saturday night under the lights.
After their set, I joined friends for a night of fireside music at Garyland, Slopryland, and Camp Caruso, playing and singing until well past sunrise. It was heartwarming to be reunited with friends who had traveled far and others who had been away for years. In the fireside glow, it felt as though time had stood still—and for a brief, magical moment, we existed in a world untouched by history or change, carried only by the music we were making together.
Sunday is always a bittersweet day at Suwannee Roots Revival. It’s when reality begins to settle in for many, and camps start to come down as people prepare to head home. I respect their readiness to return to the real world, but I am never among them. I can’t bring myself to leave on a Sunday. There’s something sacred about the final day: the way the morning light filters through the trees, the quiet hum of camp chatter, and the shared understanding that this moment won’t come again until next spring.
This day is also one of remembrance, honoring the legendary Vassar Clements—a cherished member of the Suwannee community—along with others from the Roots Revival family who have journeyed on. Cristina treated me to my annual Suwannee Bloody Mary, the perfect companion for a morning of reflection. I sipped it slowly while taking in another emotional set by Verlon Thompson and John Mailander, followed by remarkable performances from Peter Rowan and The Walls of Time Band, and The Ain’t Sisters. It was the kind of day that reminds you how deeply music connects all of us.
Donna the Buffalo closed out the festival with a grand finale at the amphitheater, joined by special guests including John Mailander, The Ain’t Sisters, Verlon Thompson, and members of Yet to Be Gold. As the sun sank lower, the sky turned from blue to soft fuchsia, and the festival lights shimmered through the trees. I felt an overwhelming peace wash over me, and all the pain, grief, and anxiety I had carried into the weekend dissolved. What remained was a sense of connection—a love flowing through the crowd, a reminder that community still exists and that it is powerful.
My deepest gratitude goes to festival producer Beth Judy and her incredible team of staff and volunteers who make this event so special year after year. Their dedication continues to nourish my spirit and has healed me in more ways than I can count.
Be sure to join us for the sister festival, Suwannee Spring Reunion, happening March 19, 2026. Get your tickets and reserve your campsites at www.SuwanneeSpringReunion.com
