A Weekend of Entertainment, Participation and Exhibits

Bullard Brothers and Friends

(Saturday evening)

The Bullard Brothers and Friends are a fivepiece folk and bluegrass group hailing from White Springs, Florida. The group includes brothers Jerry Lawrence Bullard (vocals, guitar) Johnny Bullard (vocals), Kerry Waldron (upright bass, vocals), Clint Dockery (mandolin), and Jason Baker (fiddle). The group combines traditional southern gospel songs with Florida folk and bluegrass tunes. The group’s dynamic live performances enjoyed by audiences across North Florida have made them a beloved fixture of the Florida folk scene, including at the annual Florida Folk Festival where they have been performing for over 50 years. Be sure to catch their set for a good, down-home time.

Allen Shadd

(Saturday evening)

Allen Shadd is a three-time National Flatpicking champion, as well as a past winner of the Merlefest guitar competition, Rocky Grass, the Wayne Henderson guitar competition, and many more. He has taught at a number of prestigious music camps including Steve Kaufman’s Kamps, The Alabama Folk School, and the Swannanoa Gathering. Allen has performed or recorded with artists that has included Tom T. Hall, Claire Lynch, Jimmy Fortune, Norman Blake, Mark Johnson, Darin and Brooke Aldridge, John Cowan, and many more. He also performed as a member of the Charlotte based WBT Briarhoppers from 2019- 2021 including their induction ceremony into the NC Music Hall of Fame in 2020. In 20212022 he performed as a duo with Kristen Holloway. His latest album is “Miles From the Hard Road”, it includes original tunes as well as contest favorites.

Allen grew up in Florida and lived here for over 40 years before moving to the Carolinas where he has resided since 2005.

Shana Smith

(Friday Evening)

Many across the state know her as “Shana Banana” -- a multi award-winning children’s entertainer performing at major festivals, schools, libraries, and theaters across the United States. Her voice delves into blues, jazz, folk, and spiritual music as well, and she has composed over one hundred songs, many of which reflect her great love of Florida’s ecology, history, and culture. Her music has taken her to the White House, Seattle’s Whirligig, Merlefest, Seminole Tribe Indian Reservations, the Bluebird in Nashville, numerous performing arts centers. and various jazz, Americana and blues events across the country, as well as to yoga studios, spiritual centers, and holistic festivals for her “Chanting to the Open Heart” kirtan circles for adults and children.

Shana has stayed close to her love of the environment and her home state of Florida by writing songs and programs for both children and adults, featuring mostly original music. Shana continues her mission to effect global change by endorsing the Earth Charter and serving on its Board of Directors. She initiated an Earth Champs Chapter in Gainesville and St. Petersburg, Florida, and wrote a song for the Earth Champs entitled “Heartbeat of the Earth.” She especially loves to use music to celebrate our natural love of Life, Earth and the deep connections we have to each other. Recently, she became a novelist, having released a historical fiction book about the Rosewood and Cedar Key entitled “Islands of Cedars” in time for the 100-year anniversary of the Rosewood Massacre. As a result of this book, she received the 2022 Ensley Developing Writer Award from the Florida Book Awards. She also serves as Music Director for Unity of St. Petersburg. Her decadeslong Zen and yoga practices infuse her shows with love, vitality, and kindness.