In the heart of this central Florida city, a vibrant celebration of music and community unfolded this weekend at the inaugural Brick City Bluegrass Music Festival.
The venue, located at Ocala Citizens’ Circle in the historic downtown area of Marion County, was transformed into a haven for bluegrass aficionados.
“For $25,” said Eden Collins, 19, “I mean why not?” Collins believes this event gives people an excellent opportunity to travel and enjoy the pleasant weather, all while listening to great music.
“My friends and I all drove up one hour together,” declared Collins. “We blasted a playlist of bluegrass the entire time.”
Communications Manager of Ocala, Ashley Dobbs, said the event took months of planning but it culminated with the grand day of the event.
Once the doors opened Saturday, the festival grounds transformed into a scene of lively chatter as hundreds of attendees punctuated by blankets and folding chairs gathered beneath the open sky.
Michael Webb, 67, has been preparing for an event of this kind to be held in Ocala for years. “As a kid, my parents listened to country, and I heard bluegrass for the first time,” Webb said. “This created my love for the genre.”
The concert started with a band named The Flatlanders, who set the tone for the performances to follow. In the early months of 2020, these five individual artists joined together and have traveled nationally to showcase their talents as one cohesive band ever since.
Their performance offered a compelling blend of tight harmonies and a spirited traditional sound infused with a contemporary edge.
In an interview, lead guitarist Brian Andrews said, “To enhance the experience of our listeners, we put our own taste on the old and new tones in order to make it approachable for everybody. The ultimate goal is for people to talk about our music when we are done performing.”
Another band, Low Ground, which originally formed in the heart of South Florida, took the stage. Renowned for crafting a sound that pleases traditionalists and captivates those seeking to transcend the norm, their music swiftly moved the crowd to sway in unison with the rhythm.
One participant was Dorothy Banks, 63, who traveled a great distance from North Carolina to attend this event. “Bluegrass transports me to a safe place,” Banks said. “I used to play when I was younger, and I just love the way hearing these melodic tunes creates a sense of unity.”
Similarly, Preston Pooser, the recreation and parks director of Ocala, described himself as an avid fan of bluegrass. Specifically, he attributed his growing fondness for the genre to the film "O Brother, Where Art Thou."
Four local food trucks helped feed the attendees. The aroma of barbecue mixed with the sounds of laughter and music. Shortly after sunset, The Price Sisters, a group featuring the harmony of twin sisters Lauren and Leanna, stepped into the spotlight.
Receiving a nomination for the International Bluegrass Association's Momentum Band of the Year, this musical group has gained recognition through extensive touring across the United States and journeys to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Canada.
Although self-proclaimed to be a typically shy individual, Leanna mentioned that creating music allows her to come out of her shell.
“It really is a way for me to express myself,” said Leanna Price. “On the outside, I am not the most extroverted person, but I feel like when I sing, I can really put my emotions into the song.”
One consistent listener of The Price Sisters was twenty-year-old Emma Klauber. In detail, Klauber vividly recalls her mother playing bluegrass for her when she was just a toddler.
“Starting when I was young, I have always loved listening to the tunes of The Price Sisters,” Klauber said. “Seeing them perform live as the sunset cast a warm golden glow on their wooden instruments was simply breathtaking.”
For the final performance of this inaugural event, headliners Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers graced the stage to deliver a sensational finale.
Named Entertainers of the Year by the bluegrass association (IMBA) in 2019, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers have earned their title as a dominant force in the bluegrass music industry. Nevertheless, Mullins attributes the band's success to their constant playful, lighthearted
energy.
“Our whole goal is to have as much fun as we can with our clothes on,” said Mullins sarcastically in an interview before their performance. Ultimately, their soul-stirring set left the audience in awe, and the evening concluded with an abundance of cheers and applause.
“Hopefully, by the end of the night, our performance made ‘em laugh, we made ‘em cry, we made ‘em fight and we made ‘em kiss and makeup,” Mullins said.