Steve Day and Marina Linblom at the Honeymoon Island Bluegrass Festival – photo © Bill Warren
The Honeymoon Island Bluegrass Festival was a new one to me, as this is the first year we have been in Florida this early in the season. The festival has been held for several years at the Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin, Florida. Jean Barnes is the driver behind the festival. Jacks0n Bethune provided the sound reinforcement. Kelle Perry served as MC for the event. There were several food trucks to take care of a large crowd.
Headin’ Home from the Savanah, Georgia area opened the show. They are the Lindblom family with Mom, Marina on fiddle, Dad, John on bass, Timothy on banjo, Libby on guitar, Lucy on mandolin, and Luke on dobro. They host their own festival in Hazelhurst, Georgia. The younger Lindblom boys have their own band called The Brothers Five. See both bands if they are in your area.
Fast Track was up next. They tell from the stage that there is 200 years of bluegrass experience in the band! The band is Dale Perry on banjo, Steve Day on fiddle, Shayne Bartley on mandolin, Duane Sparks on guitar, and Randy Barnes on bass. All five are excellent vocalists. Dale is one of the premier bass singers in bluegrass. A list of bands that these five have played in reads like a “who’s who” of bluegrass.
The Tennessee Bluegrass Band closed out the day. Lincoln Hensley (banjo) and Tim Laughlin (mandolin) have assembled one of the foremost bands in the genre. Michael Feagan on fiddle is a veteran of the music having been a Blue Grass Boy, a Lonesome Rambler, and has spent time with many other bands. Jacob (guitar) and Josiah (bass) Sheffield round out the band. The sibling harmony is amazing, and Tim provides excellent fill in the trio.
Put this festival on your calendar if you are in Florida in early December!
Support your local music venues.
