Orange Blossom Jamboree

Final Coverage of The Orange Blossom Jamboree Day 4 May 16, 2021

 

 

 

 

Well, the last day of the Orange Blossom Jamboree had arrived. It was Sunday.  As I pulled into my parking space, it was readily noticeable that almost half the campers had vacated. I have to admit I was dragging a bit after photographing 24 bands during the past two days and editing over 2,000 images. I found myself pulling for my second wind to get me through the next six bands. The vibe of the festival remained although the size of the crowd was smaller. There were still artists painting and folks playing frisbee in a large circle in front of the Citrus Stage. Once the music started, all fatigue was forgotten and it was back to work.

The vendors were in great spirits, and I decided to get crazy and try a smoked wild boar burrito for lunch. The burrito was very tasty and hit the spot. I have to admit, the entire weekend from start to finish was perfect. The weather was outstanding, and everyone appeared to be having an exceptional time. Like I said in my earlier review, the musicians were having the best time of all. For many of the bands, this was the first time performing in front of a major crowd since March of 2020 before the pandemic lock down. There were really great bands that performed on the last day.  I felt band for them as the size of the audience had decreased.

The performance that stuck out on this day was the Legacy Orchestra Collective. Like many bands performing at OBJ, additional musicians joined the band on stage making a very entertaining set. On this day, one thing stood out.  Guitarist and lead singer, Sean Maloney, grabbed a chair to get off his feet and take a break. The band was joined by Frankie Sensimilia that took over on lead guitar. Maloney has a prosthetic leg, and he removed it to massage where it is attached. He had been rocking out and I am sure the leg was irritated. He had earned a well deserved break. The new guitarist ventured over and picked up Sean’s prosthesis and proceeded to use it as he played slide guitar.  Over the years I have witnessed players using beer bottles, mic stands, and an array of inanimate objects, but using another band member’s leg to play slide guitar was a first. At the end of the solo, Sean had a huge grin as the two embraced. Then Sean apologized to any amputees that might have been offended by what had just transpired. I must admit I was completely caught off guard.

The festival ended on a good note with The Black Honkeys Band on the main stage. The Black Honkeys Band are a eight to ten piece band of well seasoned musicians that played soul, R&B, and funk for the last hour and a half of the festival. Everyone danced to the completion of OBJ having had a wonderful festival experience from their ears to their souls. As groovy and nostalgic as I felt the entire festival, reality was that it wasn’t the late 1960’s or 1970’s, it is 2021 and this was a microcosm of a simpler time. Even if it was only four days out on a ranch away from society and the hustle and bustle, it was good for my soul to connect with so many human beings with love and music in their hearts. Peace!

 

 

 

Band Images Below

 

My Other Articles From OBJ

Continuing Coverage of The Orange Blossom Jamboree Day 3 May 15, 2021

The Amazing Orange Blossom Jamboree Day 2 May 14, 2021

 

 

 

Chuck Magid Band    Jam-rock band     Orlando, Florida  The Citrus Stage  1:10pm – 2:10pm

 

 

The Vivid Moxie  high energy Funk/Punk band Tampa Bay. Florida   The Clementine Stage   1:40pm – 2:40pm

 

 

Legacy Orchestra Collective        Orlando, Florida  The Cypress Stage    2:15pm – 3:15pm

 

 

Electric Kif     Fusion band from Miami, Florida The Citrus Stage  3:20pm – 4:20pm

 

 

Free Range Strange   playing original music and classic covers from Jacksonville, Fl   The Clementine Stage  4:00pm – 5:00pm

 

The Black Honkeys Band   Playing soul, R&B, and funk From Tampa Bay, Fl on The Cypress Stage  4:25 – 5:55pm

 

 

 

About The Sertoma Youth Ranch:

The Sertoma Youth Ranch was established in 1973. Since it’s inception, it has been enjoyed by over 1,650 youth groups. The Sertoma Youth Ranch operates as a 501-(3)(c) Non-Profit Organization. The development is sponsored by the Ranch Hands Sertoma Club for mentally and physically challenged children and adults. Part of the income from all festivals goes to maintenance and improvements to the facility. The park has camping sites for RV’s with water and electric as well as primitive campsites. There are Restrooms with hot showers, a bunkhouse with 8 beds, 225  campsites with water and electric hookups, fire Rings throughout many campsites, propane and RV dump station, acres of woods with walking paths, and a spring fed creek. Located on the boarder of Hernando and Pasco counties, north of Dade City and south of Spring Lake, this remote 85 acre setting is in a serene area great for rustic outdoor recreation. Sertoma Ranch is the ideal place to bring youth and nature together. Pets on leashes are also welcome. From their website: “It is our mission to provide a rustic outdoor recreational area for the children of Florida. We believe that our children should inherit this small haven of Florida in its natural state.”

In addition to the use of the facilities, there is a covered pavilion with a stage and green room that seats 550 folding chairs measuring 120′ X 65′ built for sound definition. Some of the past festivals include The Orange Blossom Jamboree, Broken String Fling, Spirit of Woodstock, Celtic Family Jamboree, Bluegrass Festival, Spring Break Music Fest and the Riverhawk Music Festival.

 

 

 

 

Follow Orange Blossom Jamboree:

 

Follow Sertoma Youth Ranch Online:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA