ICYMI: Secretary of State Cord Byrd Announces Launch of Florida’s Backroad Country on Florida Music Tours

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. –

Secretary of State Cord Byrd and the Florida Department of State launched Florida’s Backroad Country, the newest music tour on FloridaMusicTours.com. Florida’s Backroad Country highlights the Sunshine State’s place in country music history. Florida has been a training ground for influential country musicians such as Slim Whitman, Pete Carr, Jim Stafford, Mel Tillis, Billy Dean, and Brian Kelley.

Billy Dean. Photo courtesy of Billy Dean.

“Country music has a rich and important history in Florida, with many pioneering musicians who have helped shape the music we love today,” said Secretary of State Cord Byrd. “Through Florida’s Backroad Country music tour on Florida Music Tours, we are able to share that rich history with country music lovers across the state.”

Florida’s Backroad Country launched concurrently with the free Florida Folklife Artist-in-Residence concert last Saturday, September 27^th, with artists Matthew Sabatella and the Rambling String Band performing a medley of country hits. Discussing the importance of country music to Florida’s history, Sabatella stated, “Country music resulted from the blending of traditions from different cultures, including early European Immigrants, Black Americans, and Indigenous Americans; it is quintessentially American.”

FloridaMusicTours.com is an educational, travel and media website that spotlights Florida’s important role in American musical history and promotes the state as a top destination for music enthusiasts. Each Florida Music Tour is an interactive guide to a musical genre or style that takes a visitor through Florida's musical history and across the state to where that music originated and where it can be heard today.

Launched in 2017, the debut Florida Music Tour Florida’s Got the Blues spotlights the history of blues music in Florida as well as related genres of gospel, jazz and rhythm and blues. The Florida Rocks! music tour, launched in 2018, focuses on Florida’s unique influence on rock and roll. Following Florida’s history of Latin musical talent, ¡La Sonada Florida! launched in 2023.

Also launched with Florida’s Backroad Country is a series of playlists on Spotify covering the genres highlighted on the website.

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About the Division of Arts and Culture

The Florida Department of State’s Division of Arts and Culture is Florida’s legislatively designated state arts agency. The Division promotes the arts and culture as essential to quality of life for all Floridians. To achieve its mission, the Division funds and supports cultural programs that provide artistic excellence, diversity, education, access and economic vitality for Florida’s communities. For more information, visit dos.myflorida.com/cultural.

About The Florida Folklife Program

The Florida Folklife Program, a component of the Florida Department of State's Division of Arts and Culture, documents and presents Florida’s folklife, folklore and folk arts. The program coordinates a wide range of activities and projects designed to increase the awareness of Floridians and visitors alike about Florida’s traditional culture. Established in 1979 by the legislature to document and present Florida folklife, this program is one of the oldest state folk arts programs in the nation. The Florida Folklife Program is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts’ Folk and Traditional Arts Program. For more information about Florida folklife, visit www.flheritage.com/Folklife.

About Florida Music Tours

Florida Music Tour acts as your guide to musical genres or styles that take you through Florida's musical history and across the state to where that music came from and where it can be heard today. Florida Music Tours span from the early days of the Delta Blues in the Panhandle, to the cherished folk and bluegrass of the north-central Suwannee heartland, and down into the lively Latin-Caribbean styles of central and south Florida. Each music tour includes a historical overview, select locations, featured musicians and places you can visit. For more information, visit FloridaMusicTours.com.

About America250FL

The 250th anniversary of the United States marks a pivotal moment to celebrate the nation’s founding. America250FL is an invitation to every Floridian to celebrate the 250th (semiquincentennial) anniversary of our nation’s founding. Through inspiring events, educational programs, and civic engagement, America250FL seeks to spark pride in our shared American values, honor the courage and service of our veterans, revere our republic, and encourage neighbors to come together in the spirit of patriotism. America’s semiquincentennial is Florida’s opportunity to shape our nation’s next chapter. Learn more at America250FL.com.