Rhonda Vincent and Aaron McDaris at the 2026 YeeHaw Music Fest – photo © Bill Warren
The 2026 YeeHaw Music Fest has kicked off at the Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center in Okeechobee, Florida. Ernie and Debi Evans are working hard on this festival. Justin Mason is handling the MC work and Troy Pope is doing the sound.
Winter in Florida can be unpredictable. A cold front has moved through, and, by Florida standards, it is chilly. However, the sun is out, and the temperature is supposed to be in the high 60s today and 70 tomorrow!
Thursday was primarily a “local” band day.
Sandy Back Porch opened the show. They are one of the few groups that has had the same line up for the duration of the band.
The Alaskan Sunnyside Sisters are currently based in Florida but travel extensively. These youngsters are becoming well-known nationwide. See them if you get a chance. Oh – and they have rubber duckies at their merch table. Just ask Salima!
Remedy Tree is the hottest name in Florida bluegrass right now. The are Mountain Fever recording artists. They give a full measure of bluegrass and old-time music. Adam Haynes joined them for a tune. Put them on your “must see” list.
Rhonda Vincent & the Rage closed out the day. Troy Pope joined Rhonda to sing a song. She is headed back to Nashville to help celebrate Dolly Parton’s 80th birthday at the Grand Ole Opry.
Friday and Saturday bring two more big days of music to the center. Florida bands Ian Lane & Southern Flavor and Penny Creek will be joined by Buddy Jewell and the Malpass Brothers on Friday.
Dirt Road Dreams and Keith Bass & the Florida Bluegrass Express will be joined by Deeper Shade of Blue and Jerrod Niemann on Saturday.
Support your local music venues.
