WWALS River Revue 2025-09-06

WWALS Watershed Coalition

WWALS Watershed Coalition, Inc. (WWALS) is Suwannee RIVERKEEPER® WWALS advocates for conservation and stewardship of the surface waters and groundwater of the Suwannee River Basin and Estuary, in south Georgia and north Florida, among them the Withlacoochee, Willacoochee, Alapaha, Little, Santa Fe, and Suwannee River watersheds, through education, awareness, environmental monitoring, and citizen activities.

WWALS River Revue 2025-09-06 [Up]

The Third Annual WWALS River Revue sit-down fundraising dinner will be held
Saturday, September 6, 2025, 5-9 PM,
at the Turner Center for the Arts in Valdosta, Georgia,

[Winners: Suwannee Riverkeeper, Songwriting Contest 2025-09-06, Joe First: First Prize, Saylor Dollar: Best from Outside]

Left to right: Organizing Committee Chair Sara Squires Jones; Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman; Bacon James in the back; Bradley Waldron, Dale Dollar, and Lisa Dollar of Saylor Dollar; Sweet William Billy Ennis; Joe First with his musicians Martin Sensiper and John White; Franc Robert and Cindy Bear of Bear and Robert; and Rena Ann Peck.

About WWALS River Revue 2025

Including the 8th Annual

Press Releases

2025-09-11: Fine Songs at Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest 2025-09-06.

Hahira, Georgia, September 11, 2025 — Six songs were sung at the Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest in WWALS River Revue, September 6, 2025. The two judges chose a group from Tallahassee for Best Song from Outside the Suwannee River Basin, and a group from Dowling Park, Florida, as overall winner.

Left to right: Organizing Committee Chair Sara Squires Jones; Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman; Bacon James in the back; Bradley Waldron, Dale Dollar, and Lisa Dollar of Saylor Dollar; Sweet William Billy Ennis; Joe First with his musicians Martin Sensiper and John White; Franc Robert and Cindy Bear of Bear and Robert; and Rena Ann Peck.

The overall winner was Joe First of Dowling Park, Florida, with his Americana song, “Beautiful Florida Day.” He got a large plaque and $300. He played accordion, which is a first for the Contest. John White on percussion and Martin Sensiper on guitar.

First Prize, Beautiful Florida Day, by Joe First (accordion) with Martin Sensiper (guitar) and John White (percussion), 2025-09-06 Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest

Dale Dollar got Best Song from Outside the Suwannee River Basin with his Bluegrass song, “Suwannee,” performed by his group, Saylor Dollar, consisting of him on guitar and his wife, Lisa Dollar on fiddle, backed by Bradley Waldron on standup bass, all from Tallahassee. They received a plaque and $50.

Best from Outside, Suwannee, by Saylor Dollar: Dale Dollar (guitar), Lisa Dollar (fiddle), plus Bradley Waldron (bass), 2025-09-06 Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest

Other Finalists got honorable mentions:....

2025-08-22: Seven Songs from Florida and Georgia 2025-08-22.

Hahira, GA, August 22, 2025 — You'll hear seven songs written by eleven songwriters from Florida and Georgia, at WWALS River Revue, Saturday, September 6, 2025, Turner Center for the Arts, Valdosta, Georgia.

Flyer: WWALS River Revue 2025

Genres include Americana, blues, two folk songs, two bluegrass, and an American Folk Revival song. Topics range from Florida history to good times on the rivers to defending the Okefenokee Swamp.
Plus a sit-down catered meal, drinks, and a silent auction. With two speakers, from Florida and Georgia, and a headliner.
Follow this link for tickets, sponsorship opportunities, and more:
https://app.betterunite.com/WWALS-wwalsriverrevue2025
...

2025-08-10: PSA: Send your song by Wednesday --Rachel Grubb, Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest 2025-08-10.

Rachel Grubb will headline this year's WWALS River Revue with the Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest.
She asks musicians to send in their song by the extended deadline, this Wednesday, August 13, 2025.
Here is the Entry Form:
https://forms.gle/LfXFBVESipd231Dr7

Rachel Grubb PSA: Send your song by Wednesday August 13, for Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest

Here is her Public Service Announcement (PSA):

The organizing committee will decide on Finalists within a week after all the songs are in.

2025-08-07: Last call: Wednesday, August 13, 2025, for songs for the Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest 2025-08-07.

Hahira, Georgia, August 7, 2025 — We've got some songs, but we'd like yours. The new last day to send your song is Wednesday, August 13, for the 2025 Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest.

Here's a link to the entry form, or follow the QR code below:
https://forms.gle/LfXFBVESipd231Dr7

Organizing Committee Chair Sara Squires Jones said, “That song you've been polishing: now's the time! If you are not musically inclined you can still become a sponsor to help us clean up our local waterways.”
...

2025-08-04: PSA: Send your song by Wednesday for Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest 2025-08-04.

Like Billy says, send your song by this Wednesday, August 6, 2025, for the Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest. Here is the Entry Form:
https://forms.gle/LfXFBVESipd231Dr7

PSA: Send your song by Wednesday, August 6, 2025, for Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest

The organizing committee will decide on Finalists within a week after all the songs are in.
The Finals will be Saturday, September 6, 2025, at WWALS River Revue, Turner Center for the Arts, Valdosta, Georgia.
https://wwals.net/pictures/songwriting2025/
Here's Billy's PSA:
https://youtu.be/q6iViaKOYNk

2025-07-31: Send your song by Wednesday for the Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest.

Hahira, Georgia, July 31, 2025 — Wednesday, August 6, is the last day to send your song for the 2025 Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest.

Here's a link to the entry form, or follow the QR code below:
https://forms.gle/LfXFBVESipd231Dr7

Organizing Committee Chair Sara Squires Jones said, “Hurry, get your song submissions in before it's too late. If you are not musically inclined you can still become a sponsor to help us clean up our local waterways.”
The Eighth Annual Finals will be held at the WWALS River Revue, an indoor fundraising dinner, to benefit WWALS Watershed Coalition, with an evening of food, drink, speakers from Georgia and Florida, a silent auction, the music of a headliner and the Songwriting Contest Finalists. That's 5-9 PM, Saturday, September 6, 2025, at the Turner Center for the Arts in Valdosta, Georgia.

Tickets are $65 each.
https://app.betterunite.com/WWALS-wwalsriverrevue2025
WWALS Membership Director Janet Martin said, “Your ticket or sponsorship helps support everything WWALS does, from water quality tests, paddle outings and swimming & boating lessons, to chainsaw cleanups, and beyond to advocacy to stop trash at its sources, strip mines, and pipelines. We work for water trails, solar power, and Right to Clean Water, with growing engagement for youth and marginalized communities.”
For how to sponsor or provide an item for the silent auction, follow the above link or the QR code, or go to wwals.net and scroll down to WWALS River Revue.

2025-05-22: Rachel Grubb Headlines Suwannee Riverkeeper Contest 2025 2024-09-07.

Hahira, Georgia May 22, 2025 — Rachel Grubb of Lake City, Florida, will sing her haunting encore from last year, as well as the song she won with, as Headliner for the 2025 Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest.

Come hear the finalists this year, Saturday, September 6, 2025, at the Turner Center for the Arts, in Valdosta, Georgia. “Musicians, send in your own song!” said Gala Committee Chair and WWALS Board President Sara Squires Jones.
https://forms.gle/LfXFBVESipd231Dr7
The Contest is part of WWALS River Revue, which features food, drink, a silent auction, and speakers from Georgia and Florida. Rachel Grubb's encore, “Ghost of the Suwannee,” will call you home.
https://youtu.be/IVKrUqiwXBk?si=EtZ3K8SsqbOyrhHP
...

2025-03-28: Send in your songs, Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest 2025.

Hahira, Georgia, March 28, 2025 — Submissions open April 1, really, no fooling, for the 2025 Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest.

WWALS Board Member Scotti Jay Jones said, “it will be even more fun this year!”

The Eighth Annual Finals will be held at the WWALS River Revue, an indoor fundraising dinner to benefit WWALS Watershed Coalition, with an evening of food, drink, speakers from Georgia and Florida, a silent auction, and the music of a headliner and the Songwriting Contest Finalists. That's 5-9 PM, Saturday, September 6, 2025, at the Turner Center for the Arts in Valdosta, Georgia.

Tickets are $65 each.
https://app.betterunite.com/WWALS-wwalsriverrevue2025
WWALS Membership Director Janet Martin said, “Your ticket or sponsorship helps support everything WWALS does, from water quality tests, paddle outings and swimming & boating lessons, to chainsaw cleanups, and beyond to advocacy to stop trash at its sources, strip mines, and pipelines. We work for water trails, solar power, and Right to Clean Water, with growing engagement for youth and marginalized communities.”
For how to sponsor or provide an item for the silent auction, follow the above link or the QRcode, or go to wwals.net and scroll down to WWALS River Revue.

Song Submissions Open April 1, 2025, no fooling!, Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest

2025-02-19: Food and drink, speakers and song: WWALS River Revue 2025,

Hahira, Georgia, February 19, 2025 — Back again on the first Saturday in September, it's the WWALS River Revue, at the Turner Center for the Arts in Valdosta, Georgia. Featuring food and drink, speakers and new songs about waterways in the Suwannee River Basin. Plus a silent auction and plaques and prizes for the songwriting winners.

WWALS River Revue 2025 logo

WWALS President Sara Jay Jones said, “it will be even more fun this year!”

There will be food and drink while you listen to speakers about the Suwannee River Basin.

You can bid on items in the silent auction.
Tickets are $65 each.
https://app.betterunite.com/WWALS-wwalsriverrevue2025
For how to sponsor or provide an item for the silent auction, follow the QRcode or go to wwals.net and scroll down to WWALS River Revue.

WWALS Board member Scotti Jay Jones said, “Don't forget the music!”

You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/