Dear Treasured Artists, Supporters, and Fans,
It is with a heavy heart we need to let you know a beloved member of our music family and President of the North Florida Folk Network, Wingo Johnson, has crossed over.
Wingo passed away suddenly on Saturday morning, January 18th, and we are all still in shock. It is so hard to believe he is actually gone. He was (still hard to think of him in past tense) only 72 years old, but made every year count with his family, and as a great friend to so many. He meant more to our music community than he will ever know.
Wingo was a good man and humble to the core, but was not afraid to speak out and stand up for someone whenever the need arose. He presented himself with a quiet demeanor, but was ever present with a helping hand up to those who needed it, and always willing to pick a song or two with you at the drop of a hat. He was a wonderful family man as a father to Cameron and husband of 36 years to Roxanne, and a loyal friend to all who knew and loved him.
He leaves a legacy spanning decades of helping others in our community whenever he could, and was a stalwart volunteer with many worthy causes, including the Boy Scouts of America, the NFFN, and many, many others. We were very lucky to have had him our lives, and our world is so much better because he was in it.
As an active member of the music community, he volunteered on the board of the NFFN for over 10 years. He was also a standup comic (no small surprise) for over 5 years, a superb handyman and problem solver, a great singer-songwriter, and a nature lover. He was extremely dedicated to our music community, and his contribution to the music scene spanned many decades with both he and Roxanne hosting, volunteering at, and/or attending more music gatherings than you could ever imagine.
He leaves a huge hole in our community and in our hearts, and shoes that are impossible to fill. His loss ripples far into our community far beyond the NFFN, but on our end, our Vice President, Frank Smith, will assume the role of NFFN President for the time being.
Roxanne and family are not asking for donations or flowers. All they ask is for you to lift their family up in your prayers, and to be there for them should they need anything as they try to navigate through this difficult time.
As for a funeral, Wingo did not want one, so maybe we can come up with some sort of gathering to celebrate the life of our dear friend. We are going to talk with Roxanne about it a little more and let you know what we come up with. If you have any ideas, please write us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to let us know.
It will be hard to carry on without him, but we know he would want us to keep the music alive, and have fun doing it for as long as we can. He is so well loved and missed by many, and will forever remain in our hearts and song.
On behalf of our NFFN Board, our members and music community, thank you to Wingo for your music, your dedication to everyone in our music community, and for everything else in between.
Rest In Power dear friend. Please pick a few for us on that Golden Road where the music never ends, and we’ll play a few for you too. ❤️
Take care,
Cindy, Franc, Stephany, Scott, Frank, and Eric
North Florida Folk Network Board