Tag Archives: John White

Joe First, Dowling Park, FL, an Americana song, Beautiful Florida Day 2025-09-06

The two judges awarded Joe First the First Prize! In addition to a plaque, organizing committee chair Sara Squires Jones handed him a $300 check.

Thanks to Joe First of Dowling Park, Florida, for writing the song, and to Joe on accordion, Martin Sensiper on guitar, and John White on percussion for playing it, at the Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest 2025. Joe was the last Finalist to arrive, yet won First Prize.
https://wwals.net/pictures/songwriting2025

About Joe First:

I earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from The University of Florida.and then taught K-5 Elementary Music for 10 years in Alachua County, FL and 20 years in Pinellas County, FL I retired in 2007 and moved to Nashville, TN for 18 years. I returned to north Florida in 2023 and reside in the Advent Christian Village in Dowling Park, FL. I play a lot with the Song Farmers of the Suwannee and The Suwannee Bluegrass Association and play my singer-songwriter material in Tallahassee, Nashville, and Switzerland.

[Joe First, Dowling Park, FL, with an Americana song 2025-09-06, Beautiful Florida Day: First Prize, Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest]
Joe First, Dowling Park, FL, with an Americana song 2025-09-06, Beautiful Florida Day: First Prize, Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest

About Joe’s song:

I was visiting friends who had a house right on the Santa Fe River and did a lot of kayaking there. At one point, looking at a map, I envisioned a trip through the river connections all the way to the Gulf and, instead of taking the trip, I made up a song about my sort of dream.

Here’s Joe First and band singing his song:
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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.

[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.

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.

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