The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park has been named the Best Live Music Venue in Florida for 2009 by Florida Monthly Magazine. The announcement appeared in Florida Monthly Magazine’s September issue. The Park replaces Disney for the top honor.
“This is a real honor,” said Park President/CEO James Cornett. "With the success of this year’s Suwannee River Jam and Wanee festival, we are pleased the hard work of the hundreds of people involved hasn't gone unnoticed,” Cornett said. “It's another sign our ‘best kept secret’ is not so secret anymore. We strive to make the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park the best it can be. We are extremely pleased Florida Monthly Magazine has honored us in this way,” Cornett said. “One of the reasons we were able to achieve this recognition is because of our partnerships with various promoters and a great support staff,” he said. “For example, we’ve worked with Magnolia Music and Events for so long I can’t remember how long - maybe 13 years. The folks from AEG Live have been promoting shows here for more than 10 years. Live Nation has recently begun promoting Wanee to a great success, Steve Briscoe of 1st Street music partnered with us a half dozen years back and his expertise in audio and lighting, in addition to his entrepreneurial instincts, have elevated many aspects of the park to a new level,” Cornett said. “David Hogan has been a leader in bringing new and interesting events to the SOSMP for many years,” Cornett added. “Then, there‘s Randy Shellnut of the Dixie Echoes, who has brought gospel music to the Park twice a year almost since the time we began operating.” “Our 70 full-time staff and literally hundreds of part-time staff/volunteers make up the core of the event production team that make it all happen seemingly flawlessly,” he added. “No one person can or should take credit for the success of this park - it takes everyone - volunteers, staff, guests, promoters and musicians to make it all special.”
The Park is known for such events as the Suwannee River Jam, the largest country jam in the South, held each April. Other events include Wanee, Suwannee Springfest, MagnoliaFest, Old Tyme Farm Days, Suwannee River Spring and Fall Jubilee, Bear Creek Festival, Biker Bash, Rockin’ Wheels Bike Fest, Suwannee Lights at Christmas, Suwannee Spirit Kids Music Camp, UNITE Car Show, Elvis I’ll Remember You, LaVie en Rose Disc Golf Tournament, Labor Day weekend fireworks, North Florida Colgate Country Showdown, Gator Chomp Romp, Smokin’ on The Suwannee BBQ Fest, Way Down Upon the Suwannee New Year’s Eve Trail Ride & New Year’s Eve Party and much, much more! The Park also has live music five days a week in the Music Hall with karaoke two nights and live bands three nights each week.
Cornett said the many musical events held each year at the Park located on the legendary Suwannee River in Live Oak, Florida provides great music listening and participation opportunities for avid fans. In addition, he said, these events add to rural North Florida’s economic stability providing an influx of thousands of visitors who spend millions of dollars in the area while attending these events. For twenty-four years the Cornett family has owned and operated this nearly 1,000 acre park and has expanded it from camping into a full music venue with year-round events. The onsite restaurant, with its artist painted walls of the Suwannee River, serves up delicious food and beverages six days a week.
The Park is often the site of destination weddings on the banks of the Suwannee River or in the beautiful chapel for those who have met at various events held at the Park. The Park also offers event facilities, such as The Grande Hall and meeting facilities. Cabin rental, RV and primitive camping, arts and crafts, antique displays, horseback riding, golf cart and canoe rental, mini golf and disc golf courses, the Country Store, hiking and biking courses, a huge water slide, live honey bee exhibit, world’s largest bat house and much more to see and do on this beautiful property. You may also own a beautiful cabin at the Park so you always have a home away from home to visit.
“This is a real honor,” said Park President/CEO James Cornett. "With the success of this year’s Suwannee River Jam and Wanee festival, we are pleased the hard work of the hundreds of people involved hasn't gone unnoticed,” Cornett said. “It's another sign our ‘best kept secret’ is not so secret anymore. We strive to make the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park the best it can be. We are extremely pleased Florida Monthly Magazine has honored us in this way,” Cornett said. “One of the reasons we were able to achieve this recognition is because of our partnerships with various promoters and a great support staff,” he said. “For example, we’ve worked with Magnolia Music and Events for so long I can’t remember how long - maybe 13 years. The folks from AEG Live have been promoting shows here for more than 10 years. Live Nation has recently begun promoting Wanee to a great success, Steve Briscoe of 1st Street music partnered with us a half dozen years back and his expertise in audio and lighting, in addition to his entrepreneurial instincts, have elevated many aspects of the park to a new level,” Cornett said. “David Hogan has been a leader in bringing new and interesting events to the SOSMP for many years,” Cornett added. “Then, there‘s Randy Shellnut of the Dixie Echoes, who has brought gospel music to the Park twice a year almost since the time we began operating.” “Our 70 full-time staff and literally hundreds of part-time staff/volunteers make up the core of the event production team that make it all happen seemingly flawlessly,” he added. “No one person can or should take credit for the success of this park - it takes everyone - volunteers, staff, guests, promoters and musicians to make it all special.”
The Park is known for such events as the Suwannee River Jam, the largest country jam in the South, held each April. Other events include Wanee, Suwannee Springfest, MagnoliaFest, Old Tyme Farm Days, Suwannee River Spring and Fall Jubilee, Bear Creek Festival, Biker Bash, Rockin’ Wheels Bike Fest, Suwannee Lights at Christmas, Suwannee Spirit Kids Music Camp, UNITE Car Show, Elvis I’ll Remember You, LaVie en Rose Disc Golf Tournament, Labor Day weekend fireworks, North Florida Colgate Country Showdown, Gator Chomp Romp, Smokin’ on The Suwannee BBQ Fest, Way Down Upon the Suwannee New Year’s Eve Trail Ride & New Year’s Eve Party and much, much more! The Park also has live music five days a week in the Music Hall with karaoke two nights and live bands three nights each week.
Cornett said the many musical events held each year at the Park located on the legendary Suwannee River in Live Oak, Florida provides great music listening and participation opportunities for avid fans. In addition, he said, these events add to rural North Florida’s economic stability providing an influx of thousands of visitors who spend millions of dollars in the area while attending these events. For twenty-four years the Cornett family has owned and operated this nearly 1,000 acre park and has expanded it from camping into a full music venue with year-round events. The onsite restaurant, with its artist painted walls of the Suwannee River, serves up delicious food and beverages six days a week.
The Park is often the site of destination weddings on the banks of the Suwannee River or in the beautiful chapel for those who have met at various events held at the Park. The Park also offers event facilities, such as The Grande Hall and meeting facilities. Cabin rental, RV and primitive camping, arts and crafts, antique displays, horseback riding, golf cart and canoe rental, mini golf and disc golf courses, the Country Store, hiking and biking courses, a huge water slide, live honey bee exhibit, world’s largest bat house and much more to see and do on this beautiful property. You may also own a beautiful cabin at the Park so you always have a home away from home to visit.
Voted Best Live Music Venue '09
The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park was named the Best Live Music Venue in Florida in 2009 by Florida Monthly Magazine. The Park replaces Disney for the top honor. Read More...
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