2025 Festival Highlights

2025 Performer Bios

Songwriter Rounds: There are 2 Songwriter Rounds at this year’s festival. Each will feature 4 artists presenting original material (see schedule for line-up).
Friday: Cypress Stage, 4-5 pm
Saturday: Cypress Stage 2-3 pm

Young Performer Showcase & Programs: We are very proud that Our Young Performer Program, under the guidance of Laura Jo Julian, has grown tremendously. Many thanks to the volunteers behind the scenes who have helped to expand this program  The Saturday afternoon showcase allows those ready for stage presentations to perform in a very popular showcase. This year’s Showcase includes 5 acts and runs from 4:30 to 7:15 pm on the Azalea Stage. There are many other open mics, song rounds and workshops for our young performers including the “Write A Song Collaboration” which is open to all young performers. The song they write will be performed on the Magnolia Stage around 5:15 as a part of our Sunday festival wrap-up. Check out the schedule for the Shooting Star Stage to see the entire weekend’s details.

Saturday Night Contra Dance returns again this year.  It will take place in the Azalea Stage area immediately following the Young Performer Showcase. Andy Kane, our caller will conduct an instruction portion before the dance starts so be brave and give it a whirl. Jenny & The Stray Dogs will provide live music for the dance.

"Acoustic Under the Oaks" is a more casual acoustic presentation with no sound system. It will run from 12pm - 5:30 pm on Saturday in Workshop 1 area behind the Magnolia Stage. The line-up varies from solo acts to bands. Stop by, pull up a chair and enjoy this all acoustic setting “Under The Oaks”.

“Old time Gathering” will be active all 3 days with a focus on “Old Time Music”. You’ll find performances, mentoring, jams and workshops in that area. Jams and workshops are open to any festival attendee so bring your instrument. This year's contra dance band, The Dunehoppers, will perform under the Old Time Gathering tent at 1pm on Saturday then play for the dance at 8pm.

Workshops, Song Circles & Jams are open to anybody at the festival. These occur throughout the weekend and official ones are listed on the schedule.

An Open Mic happens Friday evening on the Azalea stage around 8:45 after the last act finishes. For those late night folks check out “Cypress Stage After Hours”. It is an informal setting that involves open mics, jams and occasional showcases.

An Empty Chair song/story commemorative circle for Dennis Devine will be hosted by Rochelle Morris, Goody Haines and Dennis’ family. This is scheduled for 2:00 on Sunday in Workshop 1 area. There will also be a short tribute to Dennis during our closing ceremonies on the Magnolia Stage.

Sunday starts early for those so inclined with a "Gospel Sing Along" in the Workshop 1 area hosted by Art Crummer at 10:00am. Things wrap up on Sunday with an hour hosted by Amy Carol Webb. Amy's hour includes various artists and the presentation of an original song that our Young Performers write during the festival week-end. 

The festival closes with the "Hour of Power", a presentation of 5 or 6 Will McLean songs performed by different artists and a finale with all festival performers joining in to sing "Hold Back the Waters".

Hope you enjoy this year’s festival!   Thanks for supporting “live music”

The Will McLean Foundation