We caught up with the co-founder of the Orange Blossom Revue Americana Music Festival, Rusty Ingley. With the festival set to bring a blend of folk, bluegrass, and roots music to the local stage, we wanted to learn more about the inspiration behind it, the journey to make it happen, and what makes this celebration of Americana so special. Rusty shares his perspective and offers a closer look at the passion driving the festival, the vision for its future, and why it’s poised to be a standout moment for the local music scene.
What’s the story behind the festival’s start? How has the festival evolved since its early days?
This might be a longer story than you expected, but here’s how it goes... Back in 2009, I was asked to chair the Lake Wales Rotary BBQ; a Lake Wales tradition since 1974. I told the board I wouldn’t do it without Reid (Hardman) as my co-chair, and neither of us knew what we were getting ourselves into, especially when it came to cooking BBQ for 1,000 people! We were young, full of energy, but lacking experience.
A few years in, we decided to invite a friend of ours, Sticky Steve and the Pollinators, to come play some Bluegrass music at the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. That performance was incredible and sparked the idea to focus more on music. By 2014, we made the decision to shift away from BBQ preparation and focus more on live music. I had heard of BBQ festivals and convinced Reid that we should host one, combined with live music. I told him it would be much easier than making BBQ for the Rotary event—boy, was I wrong!
We started a BBQ competition with the Florida Barbecue Association and brought in live bands from across Florida. We even created a small vendor area called the Florida Tastemakers Marketplace with vendors from around the state. Things progressed until 2019 when I ran into issues booking bands. It was tough offering top-tier talent at what was mostly a free event. That’s when I reached out to our current talent buyer. He flew down to Lake Wales, we made a few tweaks, and the rest was history.
2019 was our last year hosting the BBQ competition. In 2020, we took a break due to COVID, and used that time to regroup and reimagine the festival. We came back in 2021 with paid attendance, fences, tour buses, a large stage, a PR team, and a marketing director— all things we never imagined back in 2009. We also parted ways with the Rotary Club (on good terms) and established our own foundation, Blossom Charitable Foundation, Inc. We felt the festival was too big a gamble for Rotary, so we took it on ourselves.
That first year back, we had Blackberry Smoke and The Wood Brothers as headliners, along with an incredible lineup of musicians. It was a huge milestone. We thought we had found the formula for success, but every year since has proven that we’re still growing and learning. The festival has expanded beyond what we ever imagined, with bigger talent and more volunteers. It’s been an incredible journey, and we’re excited to see where this ride takes us. We couldn’t have done it without the amazing fans who’ve joined us along the way.
Ten years of music! What’s been the most memorable performance at the festival over the past decade?
The most memorable performance for me was probably Langhorne Slim. He’s an amazing entertainer who had the audience in the palm of his hand. He came out into the crowd, sang with everyone, and even danced with some of the ladies. His ability to connect with the audience on that level was truly unforgettable.
Americana music has deep roots. How does this festival celebrate both the traditional and modern sides of the genre?
This year, we’re featuring Robert Earl Keen, a veteran of the Americana scene. Americana has been around for ages, but it gained more popularity in the 1990s, thanks to the Americana Music Association. Robert Earl Keen has been a key figure in the genre for years, and it’s an honor to have him. We’re also showcasing 14-year-old mandolin virtuoso Wyatt Ellis, who’s recently burst onto the scene and is quickly gaining a following. The mix of seasoned veterans and fresh talent is how we celebrate both the traditional and modern sides of Americana music.
What special activities or surprises can attendees expect this year?
You never know what might happen! In previous years, we’ve had some incredible surprises, like Oliver Wood from The Wood Brothers joining Allison Russell for a performance of “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” by Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty. We’ve also seen Blackberry Smoke team up with Roosevelt Collier for a spontaneous collaboration. Those kinds of magical, unplanned moments are what make the festival special. For the last few years, our festival logo and t-shirts have been a huge hit; very distinctive with a wildlife theme. This year it’s a black Florida Panther. Gold Tone Music Group, a well-known luthier out of Titusville, will be vending on site. That’s really exciting and a first for us. Who knows what other surprises this year might bring?
What role does the local Lake Wales community play in making this festival a success year after year?
The local Lake Wales community plays a crucial role in the festival’s success. We’ve received amazing support from friends, family, and even people we didn’t know. Local businesses have been generous sponsors, and we’ve made discounted tickets available for locals. All of our volunteers are local, including a lot of highschoolers who grew up working the event. We have an inner-circle of volunteers who have been there every year. That’s been especially key to our growth, knowing that particular aspects of the event are in trusted hands. The community has really embraced the festival. Two years ago, on their way to a state championship, the Highlanders had a football playoff literally across the street from us. It was a wild night and many came to the festival when the game was over. The community’s been with us every step of the way, and we’re so grateful for their continued support, helping us aim higher and dream bigger.
How do you see the next 10 years shaping up for the festival?
The next 10 years? It’s hard to say for sure, but we’re definitely feeling the growing pains. We love the size and intimacy of the festival now, but we’re also looking for ways to grow while maintaining that feel. Our venue on the lake and under the oaks is breathtaking. We’re adding a second stage this year and have a vision for two more nearby one day. We’d like to bring in bigger headliners, and we’ve learned the value of bringing in professionals who can help us see things differently. We’re always talking to people who can take the festival to the next level. It’s exciting to think about where we’ll be in a decade!
If the festival had a ‘greatest hits’ playlist from the past decade, which songs or artists would be on it?
That’s a tough one! But a “greatest hits” playlist would definitely include:
The Wood Brothers – “Postcards from Hell”
Robert Earl Keen – “Feelin’ Good Again”
JJ Grey & Mofro – “Lochloosa”
Margo Price – “Hurtin’ (On the Bottle)”
Langhorne Slim – “The Way We Move”
Mike and the Moonpies (now Silverada) – “Paycheck to Paycheck”
The War and Treaty – “Are You Ready to Love Me?”
Blackberry Smoke – “Ain’t Got the Blues”
And there’s more, but those songs and artists have really defined the festival’s spirit over the years and moving forward.
DECEMBER 6: The War and Treaty Robert Earl Keen Wyatt Ellis
DECEMBER 7: JJ Grey & Mofro Steep Canyon Rangers Emily Nenni Sam Grisman Project Van Plating
The Orange Blossom Revue is December 6 & 7 at Lake Wailes Park in Lake Wales. 33 N Lakeshore Blvd Lake Wales, FL orangeblossomrevue.com IG @orangeblossomrevue FB @OrangeBlossomRevue
