Florida Folklife Program Presents Matthew Sabatella and the Rambling String Band at Florida State University

Free Concert in Tallahassee

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. -

Secretary of State Cord Byrd and the Florida Folklife Program invite the public to a free performance of music that chronicles American history by South Florida ensemble Matthew Sabatella and The Rambling String Band as part of the 2025 Folklife Artist-in-Residence Program. This program is sponsored by the Florida Folklife Program and the Florida State University Center for Music of the Americas, and will take place at Florida State University's Longmire Alumni Building, Room 201, on September 27th, 2025, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

"We are pleased to welcome the public to this free performance for a night of American music and history," said Secretary of State Cord Byrd. " Matthew Sabatella and The Rambling String Band are excellent artists who demonstrate a mastery of music and traditions from America's past."

Matthew Sabatella is a multi-instrumentalist who uses traditional American folk music to bring to life the story of America's past, present, and future. He is frontman for The Rambling String Band, where he sings lead vocals and plays guitar, banjo, and mountain dulcimer, along with Jack Stamates on fiddle, Chris DeAngelis on bass fiddle and vocals, and Sean Edelson on mandolin, guitar, and vocals. The band specializes in traditional folk songs, including fiddle tunes, old-time country, bluegrass, Appalachian music, ragtime, blues, spirituals, railroad and cowboy songs, work songs, sea shanties, reels, breakdowns, ballads, and more.The Rambling String Band has created three albums of American folk standards, The Ballad of America series, which curates American folk music around vignettes from American history.

Matthew Sabatella and The Rambling String Band members (from left to right) Chris DeAngelis, Matthew Sabatella, Jack Stamates, and Sean Edelson. Photo courtesy of Artists.

This free public concert concludes a four-day residency in Tallahassee, in which Matthew Sabatella and The Rambling String Band will present an array of country, bluegrass, old time, and other styles to students at local schools and for the broader community at Florida State University.

At this concert, Florida's Backroad Country, the newest music tour on FloridaMusicTours.com, will launch. The music tour focuses on the history of country music and musicians from Florida. Also launching is a series of playlists on Spotify covering the various genres highlighted on the website, such as Florida's Got the Blues, Florida Rocks, ¡La Sonada Florida!, and Florida's Backroad Country.

Continuing the themes of America 250 and Florida Music Tours, the Department of State is launching an America250FL themed playlist on Spotify, drawing from the rich musical traditions found in the state and taken from Florida Music Tours.

For more information about the residency and public activities, visit Florida Folklife Program - Division of Arts and Culture - Florida Department of State.

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About the Florida Department of State's 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, the program is one of the oldest state folk arts programs in the nation. For more information visit Florida Folklife Program - Division of Arts and Culture - Florida Department of State.

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 Division of Arts and Culture - Florida Department of State.

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 Home - Florida Music Tour.

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.