By Tracy McCormick-Dishman
When Lauren Rose moved to Amelia Island in 2008, she was seeking a fresh start away from Indiana winters. What she found was a calling that would connect her to the island’s music scene for the next 14 years.
Now known simply as “Rosie” to locals, the former IT consultant has become the unofficial guide to live music and events across Nassau County through her website FernandinaEvents.com, which reaches 1,900 visitors monthly and boasts 25,000 Facebook followers.
The journey began in 2010 when Rose discovered guitarist Dan Voll performing around the island. Voll, who caught that “Rosie” was her family nickname, matched her with Paul Simon song that mentions ‘Rosie, the Queen of Corona’ and invited her to be his “dancing tambourine” and comedic partner during performances.
“I’d be his person that he could play all his jokes off of,” Rose recalled. “We had tourists telling us we were the best act in Florida.”
Their partnership lasted eight years until Voll’s death in 2018. What started as Rose hand-drawing maps of who was playing where during Shrimp Festival evolved into a comprehensive database tracking more than 40 venues with live music across the island.
“I started it at Shrimp Fest one year back in 2011 so we could find everybody, in particular Dan,” Rose said. “That became a weekly post of who was playing where, and then that evolved into a website and a database and a newsletter.”
Rose continues the work in Voll’s honor, spending about 10 hours each week gathering schedules, reaching out to venues, and updating her platforms. The operation has expanded beyond music to include all community events, from markets to social gatherings.
“I’m nothing without the venues providing me information,” she said, noting that she visits each location personally, often bringing small gifts during holidays to maintain relationships with managers who supply her with schedules.
The effort remains largely volunteer-driven. Rose doesn’t charge musicians or venues for listings. Her dedication has made her a fixture in the local music community, where she’s witnessed careers evolve from newcomers to established performers with regular schedules and residencies.
The personal connection extends beyond professional networking. Rose, who moved to Florida from Terre Haute, Ind., found community through the music scene after being a single woman for the first time in her life.
“I went right from my mom and dad’s house to my husband,” she explained. Following Voll around to different venues became her exercise routine and social outlet, providing both physical activity through dancing and emotional connection through music.
Since Voll’s passing, Rose acknowledges the work has become more challenging emotionally, but she remains committed to serving the community that embraced her.
Rose operates with help from her business partner Johnny Funch, who handles website development, while she manages content and social media from her home base.
Rose is partnering with Nassau NewsLine to bring her comprehensive event listings to print readers. Readers can find Rose’s list of events in the printed edition and online at NassauNewsLine.net.
“I get a lot of tourists who plan their vacations and feel like they know me because my newsletter is kind of personal,” Rose said. “People email me saying they’re moving down and would love to meet me.”
Rose continues to seek new events to share with the community. “I’m always looking for more events,” she said, encouraging event organizers and community members to reach out.
For someone who arrived on the island seeking solitude, Rose has found her purpose in bringing people together through the universal language of music.
For more information about Fernandina events and to sign up for Rose’s weekly newsletter, visit fernandinaevents.com. To share upcoming events with Rose, email rosie@fernandinaevents.com. Readers can also find Rose’s list of events in Nassau NewsLine’s printed edition and online at NassauNewsLine.net.
tdishman@nassaunewsline.net
