30A Songwriters Festival

The 8th annual 30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL is set for January 13, 14 and 15, 2017. The festival, held in venues along Scenic Highway 30A in Florida's South Walton County. The perfect mix of cool beach weather and red-hot music is what you will find during the 30A Songwriters Festival. More than 120 artists perform in this truly wonderful weekend of music.  Artists will perform multitudes of live performances in intimate venues and large amphitheaters throughout South Walton.  Headliners have been announced and tickets are now available. 

30A Songwriter Festival has announced the initial line-up for the 2017 celebration of singers and songs. The festival, held in venues along scenic Highway 30A in Florida's South Walton County, will feature headline performances from esteemed artists JOHN PRINE, CHEAP TRICK, DR. JOHN & THE NITE TRIPPERS, AND SHAWN COLVIN.

Main Stage Headliners @ Grand Boulevard
Saturday: Cheap Trick, Dr. John, Drivin N Cryin
Sunday: John Prine, Shawn Colvin, Parker Millsap, Amy LaVere with Motel Mirrors

New venues this year: Gulf Place is back, Borago, The Bay and Chringo.

Featured artists in venues at night on 30A include John Fullbright, Over the Rhine, JoJo Hermann (Widespread Panic), Chely Wright, Murray Attaway (Guadalcanal Diary), Matthew Sweet, Tom Gray (The Brains), Shawn Mullins, Peter Case, John Gorka, Nicole Witt, and Farewell Angelina.

Among the total of 175 stellar songwriters who will perform and have distinguished themselves in bands and on pop charts in various genres of music are Emerson Hart(Tonic), David Ryan  Harris (John Mayer band),  David Hodges (Evanescence), Michelle Malone, Peter Holsapple (the dB's), Jeffrey Steele, Lari White, Ellis Paul, Chris Stills, Heather Maloney, Robby Hecht, Elise Davis,Caroline Spence, David Berkeley, Joe Leathers, Peter Karp, Webb Wilder, Jonathan Tyler, Cory Chisel, Robert Ellis,Jonny Fritz, Luther Dickenson, Charlie Mars, Griffin House, Michael McDermott, Dan Navarro,Hailey Whitters, Sean McConnell, Trea Landon, Muscadine Bloodline, Jacob Powell, Smokin' Novas, Lilly Winwood, Ben Glover, Daphne Willis, Billy Montana, Kyle Jacobs, Callaghan, Don Dixon & Marti Jones, Cale Dodds, Logan Brill, Hannah Dasher, Derek George, Jaren Johnston, Josh Kear, Josh Kerr, Phil Madeira, Willis Alan Ramsey, Jimmy Robbins, Frank Rogers, Cole Taylor, Abe Stoklasa, Tommy Talton, Brian White & Karyn Williams, Willie Sugarcapps, Sugarcane Jane, Grayson Capps, Will Kimbrough, Corky Hughes, Cooper Carter,  Connor Garvey, Jemina & Selina, Hannah Thomas, Jonathan Mitchell, Courtyard Saints, Wyatt Edmondson, andESOEBO.

Venue partners include: Grand Boulevard at Sandestin (stage sponsored by Silver Sands Premium Outlets and Centennial Bank, Inc.), AJ's/Pandora's, Hibiscus Coffee & Guesthouse, Fish Out of Water, 30Avenue, The Gathering Spot, The Boat House, The Lake House, Pizza Bar, Bud & Alley's, Seaside Meeting Hall, Central Square Records, Grayton Beer Company Taproom, 723 Whiskey Bravo, Old Florida Fish House, Havana Beach Bar & Grill at The Pearl, Caliza, Amavida, Vue on 30A, Rosemary Beach Town Hall, The Bay, Gulf Place, Cuvee 30A, Trebeaché, Chiringo, and Borago. 

The 30A Songwriters Festival is known throughout the music community as a destination where writers who perform their own music, and performers who write their own songs, come together for an extended weekend to perform varied genres of music ranging from country, blues, folk, soul and Americana. For audiences, it's a rare chance to connect with their favorite artists in a more intimate, informal setting.  

The 30A Songwriters Festival production team transforms amphitheaters, town halls, restaurants, theaters, bars and covered patios into unique music venues ranging in capacity from 75 to 500 seats indoors and 5,000 outdoors.  Festival weekend passes are now available for $265 and can be purchased at www.30asongwritersfestival.com, and locally in South Walton at the Cultural Arts Alliance office and at Central Square Records in Seaside.

The Inside Scoop - The 30A Songwriters Festival has gotten bigger and better every year. And more popular with more locals and visitors who snap up tickets - they sell out so don't wait, get yours now! Take a look at the lineup and take advantage of all the shows you can in a fun-filled weekend at the world's most beautiful beaches.

Yes, there are plenty of great shows - but try to slow down. As the excitement of the 30A Songwriters Festival builds, you might find yourself rushing to get to the next venue. Stop yourself and slow down! The best moments are often the unexpected ones between the jams - meeting new friends or talking to an "unknown" performer who you won't be able to get near - later on when they hit it big.

Artists, venues and news coming soon. Watch 30asongwritersfestival.com and sign up for the newsletter for updates. 

The Links -  The official 30A Songwriters Festival Website, The 30A Songwriters Festival on Facebook, The 30A Songwriters Festival on Twitter @30AFest, #30AFest

Take a look at some individual performances and compilations from past 30A Songwriters Festivals on the SoWal Youtube Channel.