The Will McLean Foundation sponsors our Will McLean Stage. We like to be able to thank them and highlight all of the opportunities they provide musicians around the state.
First, the Will McLean Festival is an INCREDIBLE FESTIVAL!! EVERYONE who loves folk music should plan to attend (and camp if possible!!).
March 12 – 14, 2027
Friday 11:50 am – 11:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 am – 6:00pm
My favorite part (besides the great music of course) is the dynamic youth program. There are just tons of kids with instruments playing and learning and growing up in the folk music tradition!
Here are the applications to perform and to enter the songwriter competitions:
https://www.willmclean.com/music-festival/performer-applications
https://www.willmclean.com/music-festival/song-contest
NEW THIS YEAR FOR OUR 2027 SONG CONTEST – YOUNG SONGWRITER’S CATEGORY: We are excited to announce we have added a category for youth entries into our annual song contest. Youth up to the age of 23 are encouraged to apply! The top three entries voted by the judges will be invited to perform their songs at the 2027 Will McLean Festival. “This is something that the late Margaret Longhill, who started the Will McLean Festival in 1992, would be so happy about,” says Song Contest Coordinator, Donna Green-Townsend. “Margaret always felt that the young musicians and songwriters were the future of the festival.” Please share the link to this song contest page with young musicians you know! You’ll find the Contest application link at bottom of this page.
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Dunnellon Sunday Sampler
Held indoors at the Historic Dunnellon Train Depot
12061 S Williams St, Dunnellon
2:00 – 4:30 pm. Doors open at 1:15 pm
Tickets are $15 (cash donation) at the door.
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Sunday Sampler East Announcing the new location of Sunday Sampler East
Sam’s Island Music
This store has been a cornerstone of the Brevard County music community for 20+ years. The passing of original owner Sam Tritico last fall left us reeling, but new owner Dave Freeman has stepped up to continue the legacy and honor Sam’s memory with the name change from Island Music to SAM’S Island Music AND the ongoing hosting of Writers Night at Nolan’s Irish Pub (1st Mondays, monthly). The store’s new affiliation with the Will McLean Foundation further solidifies Dave’s commitment to supporting the best in live original music.
The new quarterly series kicks off Sunday, Sept 6, 2026 with local opening act Lexi Long (https://lexilong.com/) starting at 2, and as our main act, a favorite of Florida folk festivals for decades, Larry Mangum accompanied by Rockledge’s own Bob Bronar
Sam’s Island Music
465 North Courtenay Pkwy,
Merritt Island, FL 32953
2:00 – 4:30 pm. Doors open at 1:30 pm
Tickets are $15 (cash donation/credit card) at the door.
Reserve your tickets today!
Advance ticket LinkSept 6 2026: Larry Mangum with opener Lexi Long
Dec 6, 2026: Rod MacDonald with opener Dave Freeman
March 7 2027: Jeannie Fitchen with opener Bob and Claire (aka Perfect Strangers)
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Sunday Sampler Tampa
New World Tampa
810 E Skagway Ave, Tampa FL
The Music Hall doors open at 12:30pm
Showtime is 1:30pm
Tickets $15 in advance, $20 on the day of the show, payable by credit or cashSeptember 13 – Kristopher James
Kristopher James Tickets
October 11 – Vision Crystal
November 1 – Todd Murphy
December 13 – Doug Spears and the Florida Cracker Collective
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