Jeanie Fitchen, 1951-

Eugenia Sisinni Fitchen, better known as “Jeanie,” is a singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Orlando, Fitchen’s mother hoped she would train for the opera, but Fitchen became interested in the singer-songwriter movement. She first performed on the Old Marble Stage at the Florida Folk Festival at the age of 15 in 1966, and continues to be a favorite performer there and in many other venues. Her advocacy for Florida folk culture is expressed in numerous educational presentations that preserve knowledge of Florida folklife and foster an appreciation for the state’s cultural traditions among school children. Fitchen received the Florida Folk Heritage Award in 2001.