Hahira, Georgia, September 14, 2026 — WWALS is proud to announce the winners of the Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest. They played Saturday evening, September 12, at the 4-H Club in Lake Park, Georgia, on the shores of Long Pond, as part of WWALS River Revue.

Congratulations to the Winners, Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest, WWALS River Revue 2026-09-12, Long Pond, Lake Park, Georgia

The winners are:

• Robert Thatcher, from Signal Mountain, Tennessee, Best Folk, Acoustic, for “My River Home.” He was assisted by Alice Thatcher and Tom Brown.
• Sweet William Ennis, from Palatka, Florida, Best Rock, for “Dark Black Water.”
• Saylor Dollar (Lisa and Dale Dollar), of Tallahassee, Florida, Best Americana, for “Ichetucknee.”
• KC Nayfield, from Crystal River, Florida, Best Folk, for “She Cries.”
• Tom Brown, from Dalton, Georgia, Best Song from Outside the Suwannee River Basin, for “Suwannee, Roll on Slow.” He was assisted by Alice Thatcher and Robert Thatcher.
• Bear and Robert (Cindy Bear and Franc Robert), of Jacksonville, Florida, First Prize, for “Mighty River.”

Last year’s First Prize winner, Joe First, was the Headliner, assisted by Barry Sager on the pan flute.

WWALS will post videos of each of the Finalists playing, and the headliner.

Thanks to all the sponsors and silent auction donors, and to all the attendees and volunteers. Continue reading →