Jeanie Fitchen
Singer, songwriter, storyteller, Jeanie Fitchen is a font of knowledge about Florida folk culture.
Jeanie Fitchen has attended the Florida Folk Festival since 1966, saying that she "grew up" at the festival. Born and raised in Orlando, singer and songwriter Jeanie Sinsinni Fitchen eschewed her mom's dreams of raising an opera singer to join the folk movement.
She was 15 in 1966 when she first performed on the Old Marble Stage at the Florida Folk Festival. Her sweet speaking voice becomes a still sweet, stronger, and clear singing voice, whether she is singing old folk tunes or newer ones she has written.
Jeanie's natural concern for Florida and those who live here led her to provide a strong advocacy for Florida folk culture, and she is a frequent presenter at Florida schools, advocating for the stories and songs of the past. Jeanie Fitchen received the Florida Folk Heritage Award in 2021.
Jeanie is one of the unsung heroes of the Florida Folk Festival, and has numerous stories about the festival and those who ran it.
