The Mason Via Band at the 2026 Spring Palatka Bluegrass Festival – photo © Bill Warren
The spring Palatka Bluegrass Festival was a good one. Evans Media Source holds two festivals at the Rodeheaver Boys Ranch each year, February and November.
The Ranch is a privately-owned entity that provides housing and education for needy boys. All funding is by donation or fund raising. The boys are housed in cottages with house parents who tend to their needs. They are also home schooled. During events the boys sell crafts from their blacksmithing activities. They also help in the concession stand and the hall where dinners are served to festival patrons. Raffle prizes are awarded Saturday night. Joy Poupard and Larry Soncrant facilitated this and many other activities throughout the weekend.
The Ranch was founded in 1950 by Homer Rodeheaver. More information can be found online.
Friday saw two Florida bands open the show. Penny Creek is a popular band from the east side of the state. Isaac Taylor, who is the current banjo player for Remedy Tree, filled in on guitar. He had been a part of the band for ten years.
Keith Bass and the Florida Bluegrass Express is a high energy band that is much loved throughout Florida. The highlight of the evening set was an appearance by two additional generations of the Rogers family. April and LaRon welcomed their daughter, Katie Loftus, and their granddaughter, Evelyn Loftus, to the stage. Katie sang with her parents and Evie was cute! Mandolin player, James Mummey, got down to Evie’s level and they jammed together. Evie is the fifth generation of Rogers to hit the stage.
The Trey Hensley Band blew the Ranch stage wide open. This young man wears out the guitar. He was joined by Gibson Davis, Thomas Cassell, and Will Potts.
The Malpass Brothers closed out the Friday show as only they can. Chris did invite a “special” guest to the stage, and sang a bit of You Ain’t Nothin’ But A Hound Dog, and Dixie the hound sang along with him!
Saturday kicked off with another Florida Band, Arnold Messer and Southern Blend, which was new to this photographer. Lead singer, Mark Ellis, and band leader, Arnold Messer, write quite a bit of their original material.
The Country Gentlemen Show always is a crowd favorite. Mike Phipps echoes the soulful sound of Charlie Waller while Darren Beachley does some gospel tunes that harken back to his days with Doyle Lawson. The band is in its 20th year and going strong.
Another new band to me was the Mason Via Band. This is a high energy show that needs to be seen. Mason is currently living in Florida as his wife completes her medical degree. Waverly Leonard Via will be the third generation Leonard doctor. Congratulations! She starts her residency in June or July. She will let all of us know where that will be at the end of March.
Mountain Fever recording artist Remedy Tree is from the St. Augustine area of Florida. They entertain with mostly original music. They always close their shows with a couple old time fiddle tunes and have a heavy touring schedule in Florida this spring. Get to one of their shows.
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