This Month At The Waterworks
A Guitar Outlaw Christmas
YoungFolk Opening Act: Benjamin Brown
Saturday, December 20th
Doors: 6:30 pm
Show: 7:00 - 10:00 pm
From the ashes of the Tavern Opera “A Simple Love Story With Guitar Outlaws” by Carl Sander and Chris Carlson, “A Guitar Outlaw Christmas” was born. Starting in 1992 (or ’91 or ’93… Outlaws aren’t very good with dates and such) this ragtag bunch of musicians have been putting on a Holiday show every year at the Fabulous Eastlake Zoo Tavern in Seattle, Washington.
This year, 2025, the reins have been handed to a great group of St. Augustine musicians and storytellers including Duffy Bishop, Don Cooper, Derek Coghlan, Katherine Archer, Rusty Springfield, Alex Richmond, Chris Hadjipoulos, Chris Clark, Chris Carlson and Lonesome Bert (and more!). The Guitar Outlaws will sing songs and tell stories about their favorite - and least favorite - things about the Christmas Season, culminating in a telling of the first Christmas, Outlaw style.
Funny, joyous, sometimes irreverent, but always heartfelt, The Guitar Outlaws want to celebrate Christmas with you!
Live from The Waterworks
The Gamble Rogers Folk Festival, in partnership with the St. Johns Cultural Council, announces the 2025–2026 season of “Live from The Waterworks”, an intimate monthly concert series celebrating the legacy of St. Augustine’s own Gamble Rogers. Tickets for all shows in the series go on sale Tuesday, August 26, at 10:00 a.m. right here on our Tickets page! There are limited seats available, so purchasing tickets early is recommended. Thank you for your support, you are making dreams come true!
Our 31st Annual Gamble Rogers Folk Festival
The Gamble Rogers Folk Festival is proud to announce the first wave of nationally acclaimed artists set to perform at the 31st Annual Gamble Rogers Folk Festival, taking place April 10th, 11th, and 12th, 2026, at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds. This year's lineup brings a mix of Grammy-winning talent, Appalachian storytelling, and powerhouse bluegrass, honoring the rich legacy of folk music and celebrating the memory of Gamble Rogers. Early Bird tickets for the 31st Annual Festival will go on sale mid-December.
Early Bird Tickets
Early Bird Tickets are officially on sale for the 31st Annual Gamble Rogers Folk Festival, happening April 10th–12th, 2026 at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds. From award-winning artists to emerging talent, this year’s festival is shaping up to be one of the best yet! These tickets are available now through February 9th. Save on weekend passes, day tickets, and camping packages by grabbing your tickets early!
Dom Flemons & The Traveling Wildfires
Grammy Award-winner, American Songster, and American Banjo Hall of Fame inductee Dom Flemons, will be joined by his dynamic supergroup, The Traveling Wildfires. Formed as an evolution of Flemons' lifelong mission to celebrate, preserve, and reimagine roots music, The Traveling Wildfires draw inspiration from his GRAMMY-nominated Folkways albums Black Cowboys and Traveling Wildfire. The group features a talented lineup: Brian Farrow (bass, fiddle; formerly Gangstagrass) and Dante Pope (vocals, drums; formerly Old Crow Medicine Show). Together, they deliver a fiery, fresh sound rooted in bluegrass, country, folk, blues, and Black stringband music.
Verlon Thompson
Celebrated songwriter, master guitarist, and Oklahoma native Verlon Thompson will also take the stage. With more than three decades as a touring troubadour and as the longtime creative partner to the legendary Guy Clark, Thompson is known for his narrative songwriting, guitar work, and as a talented performer. His songs have been recorded by some of the industry's biggest names, including Jimmy Buffett and Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley, Del McCoury, Trisha Yearwood, Randy Travis, and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. As a producer, Thompson co-created several of Clark's critically revered albums, including Cold Dog Soup and Somedays the Song Writes You. On stage, Thompson's narrative magic and musicianship create an unforgettable experience.
Alexa Rose
Gamble Rogers Folk Fest welcomes acclaimed singer-songwriter Alexa Rose, praised by NPR Music as "An enchanting new Appalachian voice...sounds like the soul child of Bob Dylan and Dolly Parton." Raised in western Virginia, Rose was inspired by stories of her great-grandfather, who once lived and played with bluegrass legend Lester Flatt. Her 2019 debut Medicine For Living garnered widespread attention when the title track won Merlefest's Chris Austin Songwriting Contest. Rose's 2021 album Headwaters earned national acclaim from American Songwriter and Rolling Stone. Blending old country, traditional folk, rock, and mountain soul, Rose delivers earnest, well-crafted stylings.
Ed Snodderly
Joining the lineup is veteran songwriter and performer, Ed Snodderly AKA Es Pearl. In 2001 the third verse to his song, “The Diamond Stream”, was permanently displayed on the Wall Of Honor at the Country Music Hall Of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee. Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Missy Raines and others have recorded his songs. In 1976 he co-founded the iconic venue, The Down Home. Gamble’s last performance was on that stage. “What’s it worth to sing this song?” It’s the question East Tennessee culture keeper and songwriter Es Pearl asks.
Red and Christopher Henry & Their All-Star Band
Known for their exceptional musicianship and original songwriting, Red and Christopher Henry & Their All-Star Band have made lasting contributions to the bluegrass community. Beginning with Red and Murphy Henry's early performances as a husband-and-wife duo, the family has continued to shape regional bluegrass culture through live performances and their influential Murphy Method instructional tradition. Today, Christopher Henry joins his father, Red Henry, to lead a dynamic All-Star Band known for its tight instrumentation, authentic harmonies, and spirited stage presence, carrying the family's musical legacy proudly into a new era.
These artists represent just the beginning of what promises to be an unforgettable 2026 festival.
More performer announcements are coming soon!
Just in time for the holidays, Early Bird tickets for the 31st Annual Festival will go on sale mid-December!
With this initial musician announcement, the Gamble Rogers Folk Festival celebrates the festival's namesake, the beloved Florida troubadour Gamble Rogers, whose legacy continues to inspire generations of musicians, storytellers, and folk enthusiasts.
Apply to Perform
If you are 21 or under and play an instrument and/or sing as a solo or in a group and would like to perform on the YoungFolk Stage at next year's festival, apply today!
Are you a vendor interested in selling at next year's festival? Apply today!
As the oldest music festival in St. Johns County, we are ever grateful to YOU, our longtime and dedicated supporters to help us keep this important and fulfilling musical legacy alive and well.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and we'll look forward to seeing you soon!
*******
Here are a few magical moments from our 30th Anniversary Festival Celebration
with Gamble's own spectacular rendition of his tune, Deep Gap Salute, written in honor of his longtime friend, Doc Watson.
Why do we celebrate Gamble’s legacy? Find out from our President, Jim Carrick.
