Carl's Scrapbook: The 80s: Orange Blossom Jamborees

 

In early 1980, Glenn Reeves was in the process of promoting a huge Country Music extravaganza, in a remote area about 10 miles to our north, called "The Orange Blossom Jamboree" (there would eventually be a total of four). It was a two day event featuring many of the hottest country acts of the time as well as some of the classic legends and even a number of local acts. My wife, Nancy, had gotten a job with the Reeves organization and and started to collect experience and knowlege that would become invaluable to her in the future. She worked in Artist Relations during the event, seeing that the stars had everything they needed and that they got to the stage on time.

The second Orange Blossom Jamboree also gave Nancy her first experience as a player in front of a concert crowd (about 12,000). A local super-picker, Duke Burr, had been given one of the slots on the show and asked us to accompany him and drummer Jim Fletcher on his performance. This relationship with Duke would provide a basis for our soon to be "Southern Honey" band. I think I played the last three shows, but not the first one. So many shows - so little memory..... Oh well!

16 hours of non-stop Country Music
from a newspaper insert, advertising the 2nd OBJ - April 26, 1981

Promoter Glenn Reeves promises the Orange Blossom Jamboree will be a regular part of the Central Florida entertainment scene.

The first one, last November, attracted 20,000 country music fans, no problems and plenty of fond memories.

With 16 hours of music and a hot lineup of name-brand talent, the May 2 and 3 Spring Fever weekend continues the tradition. And there'll be more, Reeves promises.

Between 30,40,000 fans are expected at the State Road 33 festival, and there'll be 27 footstompin' acts, plenty of food and non-stop action.

Gates open at 7 a.m. with music scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days.

Ticket from OBJ #1 - November 22 & 23, 1980

Reeves calls OBJ II the "family entertainment value of a lifetime." He's holding ticket prices at November's prices: $25 for a two-day ticket and $15 each day. Children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult. There is no charge for parking. To order by mail, send check or money order to Orange Blossom Jamboree, P.O. Box ***, Lake Alfred, Fla. 33850, or call 1-800-***-7933.

The Jamboree is located off Interstate 4 at SR 33.

» Schedule From OBJ2  [click here]



Poster From OBJ #2 - May 2 & 3 1981
 Promo from OBJ #3
Glenn Reeves...
The Man With A Dream

Glenn Reeves had a dream.

It wasn't a fleeting thing, but one which lasts until it becomes reality.

Glenn Reeves wanted to bring together the biggest names in country music, provide a down-home type atmosphere where thousands of country music fans could gather and enjoy themselves while watching their favorite entertainers perform.

It was a dream born out of years of working as an entertainer and television personality in Florida, and later as the producer of some of the industry's largest and most successful country music shows.

Glenn Reeves saw in the music he loves the chance to realize his dream. First it was accomplished in Wheeling, West Virginia where he created "Jamboree In The Hills," a weekend country music festival he produced while serving as executive producer of the weekly Jamboree U.S.A. country music shows.

Then his dream was expanded to Florida where he produced the first "Orange Blossom Jamboree," Florida's country music weekend last November.

For Glenn Reeves, the dream doesn't die. It grows. It matures into a real, honest-to-goodness happening.

Brochure from OBJ #4 - March 26 & 27, 1983

It continues now with the Spring Reunion, an awakening into a new season with a tradition of country music and success behind the dream .

But success is a tradition with Glenn Reeves, the man whose dream made this weekend possible.