Celebration of life for songwriter Kathryn Belle Long benefits scholarship fund

Marina Brown
·2 min read

Eight months ago on May 23, 2023, Tallahassee lost one of its most beloved musical favorites, the forever-young Kathryn Belle Long.

And now, as both a gift to Long and to others who miss her, a celebration of her life and her talent will happen Feb. 3 at Lake Ella and the American Legion Hall with a benefit concert.

The lithesome singer-songwriter who produced high notes that were like clear bells and lyrics that were filled with a gentleness that seemed profound died after a short battle with astrocytoma, a brain cancer that took the 42-year-old musician far too soon.

Kathryn Belle Long who was a performing arts teacher at Swift Creek Middle School, wrote a love song to Tallahassee that netted the 2018 Will McLean Best New Florida Song Contest. She died in 2023, but her song "Tallahassee" lives on and there will be a celebration of her life on Feb. 3, 2024.
Kathryn Belle Long who was a performing arts teacher at Swift Creek Middle School, wrote a love song to Tallahassee that netted the 2018 Will McLean Best New Florida Song Contest. She died in 2023, but her song "Tallahassee" lives on and there will be a celebration of her life on Feb. 3, 2024.

Tallahassee has, in the last few years, seen others of its musical treasures depart the scene: Darryl Steele in 2019, Scott Campbell in 2017, Mike Snelling, who played with Kathryn Long in Belle and the Band, in 2020. They each gave much to their community in words and musical memories.

Previous story: Teacher, musician who wrote a love song for Tallahassee dies after battle with brain cancer

And Kathryn Belle Long’s songs and in particular, her lyrical portraits of Tallahassee, will endure as well. Her theme song for the WFSU program, “Local Roots,” was a regional Emmy winner. And her musical love-letter, “Tallahassee,” is still on innumerable play-lists.

Saturday's events will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the Pharaohs of Funk in the gazebo, as the group will march in a candlelight New Orleans-style funeral procession around the Lake and back to the Legion Hall. The Legion opens at 6 p.m. and the music begins at 7 p.m. with Revival, Lil’Grizzly Boogie Band, the New 76ers and Raisin’ Cane. The Taste of Mexico food truck will be outside.

The celebration of Long’s life will be a benefit for the Memorial Scholarship created in her name to assist deserving youths pursuing higher education in the arts and the teacher or school who instruct them.

If you go

What: Celebration of the Life of Kathryn Belle Long. Featured bands: Revival; Lil’Grizzly Boogie; New 76ers, Raisin’ Cane

When: Saturday, Feb. 3, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Lake Ella Gazebo and 7 p.m. music in Hall.

Where: Lake Ella Gazebo and American Legion Hall, 229 Lake Ella Drive

Tickets: $25; https://CelebrateKathryn.eventbrite.com

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Benefit concert celebrates life of Kathryn Belle Long on Feb. 3