Our Santa Fe River songwriting contestants announced

March 13, 2024

Press release from Our Santa Fe River, Inc.

FORT WHITE, Fla. – Our Santa Fe River, Inc. is proud to present the following entries into the 12^th Annual RiverFest Song Contest to be held on Sunday, March 24, beginning at 1 p.m. at Rum 138, 2070 Southwest County Road 138, Fort White, Florida.

RiverFest event details and updates are available at oursantaferiver.org or the Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/6243207989115252.

The Singer/Songwriter Contest features the following songwriters from around the state, in alphabetical order:

“Sweet William” Ennis is a singer/songwriter who has lived in Palatka Florida for 35 years. Sweet William placed third in the 2020 Santa Fe River Song Contest and took first place in the 2021 Suwannee River Song Contest. In 2018, he won the North Central Florida Blues Regional Challenge and represented North Central Florida at the January 2019 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. His original songs written over the span of fifty years cover multiple genres and subjects including environment, love, & war with a heavy dose of Blues. His acoustic finger pick style weaves through stories of his life with the simple feel of storytelling Blues. From his 1988 “Heavy Traffic” through the more recent “Dying Man Blues,” his deep resonant voice grabs the essence of his “storytelling Blues.”

Jesse Farnham, Gainesville, FL – Santa Fe ©️ 2024 by Jesse Farnham

Jesse is a songwriter from Gainesville and says that this song “is about regaining your humanity by paddling the river.”

The 2023 OSFR Song Contest winner Bacon James is back for another try at the top prize with this entry in 2024. Bacon is a singer-songwriter who will never turn down an excuse to write and perform for a good cause – especially one that involves protecting our planet. James says, “I traveled the world and back in 2023 – I’ve had altitude sickness, sea sickness, but most importantly – HOME sickness. I wasn’t born near the Santa Fe, this year marks my 5th year since moving here; but it was this year, coming back to the river, that I realized there is no place on earth like it. The world is ALWAYS worth exploring, and I’m still excited to see more of it. But this is my home now, and the Santa Fe will always bring me back. Now it’s up to all of us to do our part to keep it the treasure that it is.”

Also known as “Nico Suave,” Leo has been playing music for over 50 years. Originally from Illinois, he has lived in the Gainesville area since 1994. He has been performing at local establishments for many years, but this is his first attempt at the OSFR Song Contest.

Leo says, “I have enjoyed the Santa Fe River and its springs for many years. As a biologist I researched armored catfish — and reported on its invasion in the river. These lyrics include bits about the river environment and local creatures, slight bit of history, and stresses the fact that it’s a free-flowing river (not many are these days).”

Lee Pinkerson is a Florida songwriter and guitarist who loves nature and plays music with upright bassist Bill Snyder in their duo, Harri Buffalo. Lee says that this song “is dedicated to the future of our Santa Fe River, helping us remember the natural laws of healthy living.”

Don Lorenzi has been playing music and writing songs for over 50 years. Don says, “I just enjoy music and the creative aspect of writing songs. Since this contest is about this river, I chose for the title This River.”

David is a songwriter, guitarist, and piano player in and around Gainesville performing original and interpretive cover songs. David says this composition “is about the beauty and history of Old Florida. Crossing the Bridge feels like coming home… leave the madness behind me and settle with my soul.”

Rayvon “PurpleKloud” Rollins, Williston, FL – OhSantaFe ©️2024 Rayvon PurpleKloud Rollins

Purple Kloud is not only an artist but a mentor, advising those he guides to start with basic tools like a library card, a composition book, and a pencil.

Rayvon says, “This song celebrates the beauty and serenity of the Santa Fe River in Florida. It describes the river’s journey from O’Leno State Park through lush forests until it meets the Suwannee River. The chorus emphasizes the river’s gentle flow and its shimmering beauty, both during the warm days and the colder nights. The song captures the peaceful and picturesque essence of the Santa Fe River and its surroundings.”

Josephine, Dana, & Terese Thune are a musical family who have recently settled close to the Santa Fe River and have fallen in love with it. “We are thankful for the opportunity that Our Santa Fe River has given us and others to write songs about the river. Protection of the Santa Fe River will keep it healthy and thriving. Our song is about our family, life, & the journey that brought us to our new home close to the Santa Fe River. The song is about who and what came before and how important it will be for us to protect the river for our future and our children’s futures – we all need to take action to keep our sweet Santa Fe River wild & free. “

Contestants wrote and will perform their original songs about the Santa Fe River and compete for cash prizes while showcasing and sharing their musical skills to help raise money for a good cause—the Santa Fe River, its springs, and aquifer. Since the contest’s inception, more than 100 songs have been written to honor the river.

The Song Contest winner and two runners-up will receive cash prizes. The first-place winner will also receive five (5) hours of studio recording time at Heartwood Soundstage in Gainesville. Second and third place winners will also receive gift certificates to Heartwood Soundstage. All participants will also receive a professional YouTube video of their performance.

RiverFest Song Contest includes a Silent Auction with 120 unique items including many works of art to help raise funds for Our Santa Fe River’s programs and outreach. There will also be a raffle for a unique, limited-edition Rattler inflatable kayak designed by well-respected paddleboard manufacturer BOTE.

RiverFest sponsors include Rum 138, Heartwood Soundstage, Porta Serve, Great Outdoors Restaurant, Pink Flamingo Diner, WWALS, Florida Springs Council, Adventure Outpost, Dr. Colette Jacono, and Winn Dixie. If you are interested in information about sponsorship or program advertising, visit oursantaferiver.org/riverfest/become-a-sponsor.

Tickets for the RiverFest Song Contest on March 24^th are $10 for adults, and free for children under 12. The Plant Hikes are $25 per person and include entry to the Song Contest. Tickets can be purchased online at oursantaferiver.org. Tickets for the Springs Hop Paddle are $60 (includes boat and shuttle) and can be purchased by calling Adventure Outpost at (386) 497-4214 or email RiverGuide2000@yahoo.com.