The Gamble Rogers Festival

For those of you who are planning on attending theSorry Does, Signs of a Misspent Youth, and Good
12th Annual Gamble Rogers Folk Festival in St.Causes.
Augustine, Florida on May 4, 5, and 6 of this year,Rogers became most revered not for his musical
you may know that this festival showcases a varietyacts but for his act of bravery, an act that ultimately
of musical talent, ranging from Michael Smith, to Theled to his death. In October of 1991, while camping in
Burns Sisters Band, from Amy Carol Webb, to TheFlagler Beach, Florida, Rogers heard someone who
Cook Trio. You may also know that this festivalneeded help. He followed the voice to find a man
offers performances by local musicians, contests,named Raymond Tracey stuck in rough water.
arts and crafts, and discounted local accommodations.Rogers jumped in and made the ultimate sacrifice: he
What you might not know, however, is the storysaved the life of Tracey and lost his own life in the
behind Gamble Rogers. It's not only a tale of talentprocess.
and tragedy, but also of uncompromised heroism.Folk singing, unlike other genres of music, does not
James Gamble Rogers IV was born on the last daybelong to the young: many folk singers get better
of January 1937 in Winter Park, Florida. While hiswith age. Because of this, Rogers, at the time of his
father and grandfather were architectural geniuses,death, seemed to be just getting started, leaving the
Rogers took a path that led him away fromworld of folk music to shake its head and wonder
architecture and into the open arms of music. Hewhat might have been.
became a folk singing legend - influencing JimmyFor his musical talent, he was inducted to the Florida
Buffet along the way and leading him to dedicate hisArtists Hall of Fame in 1987 and posthumously given
album, Fruitcakes, to Rogers.a Folk Heritage Award in 1993. For his sacrificing act,
Called a "national treasure" by journalists, Rogers wasRogers was awarded the Kiwanis Award for bravery
well known for his songs about Oklawaha, Florida, aand the Carnegie Award for heroism. The area of
fictional town full of colorful characters and stories.the beach where Rogers met his death was renamed
He was also known for his guitar playing and uncannyThe Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area
ability to captivate any audience for which heat Flagler, Beach and a school in St. Augustine was
performed. He reintroduced the art of story tellingrenamed The Gamble Rogers Middle School in St.
and served as the proverbial father of Florida FolkAugustine. Rogers memory, his songs, and tributes to
Music. He also released several albums, somehim also live on at the Gamble Rogers Memorial
posthumously. His albums included The Lord Gives MeFoundation, a foundation set up with the purpose of
Grace And The Devil Gives Me Style, Sorry is Asnever forgetting a legend.