The Will McLean Foundation Scholarship

Will McLean: Florida’s Troubadour

The late Will McLean is widely remembered as Florida’s premier folk songwriter—a gifted musician, storyteller, and chronicler of the state’s people, places, and history.

Born in 1919 near Chipley, Florida, McLean spent much of his life in the woods, traveling throughout the state and writing songs. His grandfather nurtured his love of music and gave him his first instrument: a homemade gourd-and-cornstalk fiddle strung with a horsehair bow. At just six years old, McLean wrote his first song, “Away O’ee.”

McLean was known as a gentle, good-natured man with a strong streak of contrariness. That independent spirit led him to turn his back on celebrity, value his privacy, and choose a simple life over material comfort. He avoided conventional employment and, true to his nature, could even find himself feuding with friends.

Above all, McLean loved Florida. He traveled throughout the state, from the hardwood hammocks of the Panhandle to the vast “sea of grass” of the Everglades. Along the way, he camped in wilderness areas, visited friends, listened to their stories, and immersed himself in Florida’s rich history and culture.

Those experiences inspired many of his songs. He wrote about colorful characters such as Acre Foot Johnson and explored historical events, including the origins of the First Seminole War. Through his music, McLean preserved Florida stories that might otherwise have been forgotten.

Although he spent much of his life traveling and living close to nature, McLean regularly stepped into the spotlight to perform. He appeared at concerts and festivals throughout the state and beyond, including a performance at New York City’s Carnegie Hall. He was also sought after for concerts, festivals, and school programs, where his songs and stories introduced generations of listeners to Florida’s heritage.

In the fall of 1989, McLean received the Florida Heritage Award for his outstanding cultural contributions. The annual folk festival in White Springs, Florida, was dedicated to him in recognition of his lasting influence.

On April 17, 1996, Will McLean was inducted into the prestigious Florida Artists Hall of Fame, further recognizing his important place in the state’s cultural history.

McLean died of cancer in January 1990. His ashes were scattered in the Ocklawaha River at Gore’s Landing, where a permanent marker commemorates the life and legacy of the man often called Florida’s troubadour.

Today, the Will McLean Music Festival continues his tradition. Held each spring, the three-day gathering brings musicians and audiences together for performances, workshops, and jam sessions. Finalists in the annual songwriting contest share original songs inspired by Florida, while music and spoken word carry McLean’s tradition forward—telling the story of Florida, past and present, through song and poetry.

Will McLean believed that Florida’s stories belonged to its people. Through his music, he gave those stories a voice—and that voice continues to be heard.