30A Songwriters Festival Set to Take Over Scenic 30A JAN 17-19, 2014

30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL​

JANUARY 17, 18 AND 19, 2014

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5[SUP]TH[/SUP] ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF SINGERS AND SONGS
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TO BE HIGHLIGHTED BY PERFORMANCES FROM​

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RICHARD THOMPSON, ANI DIFRANCO, KRISTIAN BUSH (Sugarland),​

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LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III, ROBERT RANDOLPH AND THE FAMILY BAND,
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SHAWN MULLINS, TINSLEY ELLIS AND MORE
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EVENT TO FEATURE 150 SONGWRITERS AND OVER 200 PERFORMANCES AT MORE THAN 25 VENUES


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The 5[SUP]th[/SUP] annual 30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL, set for January 17, 18 and 19, 2014, has announced the initial line-up for the 2014 celebration of singers and songs. Taking place at venues along Florida’s scenic Highway 30A and the northwest resort neighborhoods of South Walton, the event will feature performances from such esteemed artists as Kristian Bush (Sugarland), Loudon Wainwright III, Ani DiFranco, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Richard Thompson, Shawn Mullins, John Oates, Rusty Young (Poco), Jonathan Edwards, Craig Fuller (Pure Prairie League), John Gorka, Mary Gauthier, James McMurtry, Bob Schneider, Glenn Phillips Band, Matthew Sweet, Jeffrey Steele, Jim Lauderdale and Tinsley Ellis, with more to be announced in the coming months.

In 2014, the event will feature 150 songwriters and over 200 performances at more than 25 venues along Highway 30A in beach communities including WaterColor, WaterSound, Alys Beach, Gulf Place, Rosemary Beach, Grayton Beach, Seacrest and Seaside,all set against the brilliant white sand beaches,turquoise waters and stunning architecture of Highway 30A.

Each year, the festival line-up highlights songwriting from a variety of musical styles ranging from folk and country to rock and blues.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 a weekend of soulful melodies, powerful vocals and compelling lyrics.

A VIP dinner with guest chef Stephen Satterfield from Miller Union (Atlanta) and a wine tasting hosted by wine distributor Adam Caperton (former owner of Larder on 30A) have been added to the 2014 schedule.

In its five-year history, the 30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL has hosted not only some of the country’s top performers, but also standing room only sets from some of the most prolific contemporary songwriters. The Bangles, David Wilcox, Lucinda Williams, Jeffrey Steele, Jim Lauderdale, Joan Osborne, John Oates, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Mary Gauthier, Matthew Sweet, Suzanne Vega, Miles Zuniga (Fastball), Rodney Crowell, Sam Bush, Shawn Mullins and Susanna Hoffs and many others are among the hundreds ofartists who have participated in the event. Here’s some critical feedback from last year’s event.

“The success of our festival from the start has resulted in part from the positive support of our local businesses and volunteers,” says Jennifer Steele, co-producer/Executive Director of the CAA.
“Each year we add new venues and housing partners, renew our relationships with volunteers, and add corporate sponsors who are passionate about the arts in Walton County. As the stature of our event grows internationally, we remain thankful for the grassroots support of our South Walton community.”

Festival weekend passes are now available for $170 and can be purchased at www.30asongwritersfestival.com, and locally on 30A at the Cultural Arts Alliance office and at Central Square Records in Seaside.

The 30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL is co-produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) and Russell Carter Artist Management, and is presented by Visit South Walton. 100% of the net proceeds from the 30A Songwriters Festival benefit the CAA and help it to fulfill its mission to support the arts throughout Walton County. Members of the CAA receive an additional 10% off weekend passes and admission to an exclusive performance on Wednesday, January 15, at Fish Out of Water. Call (850) 622-5970 to become a member and take advantage of the discount.

For more information on the 2014 30A Songwriters Festival, including a full list of artists, venues, and ticket purchase information, visitwww.30asongwritersfestival.com.

 

[h=1]SoWal Insider's Guide to 30A Songwriters Festival 2014[/h]
Read up on the event in SoWal.com feature story providing updates to the latest information about the event, venues, tips and all the inside scoop. See photo gallery from previous Songwriter's Festivals in South Walton, Florida.

[video=youtube_share;HK6lZv00cMQ]http://youtu.be/HK6lZv00cMQ[/video]

2013 Video by SoWal.com - see show highlights throughout the perfect weekend of SongFest!

 

The 30A Songwriters Festival has partnered with GigDog.fm to create an exclusive online radio station featuring the upcoming 2014 artists.

Hear them here before you hear them live!
http://30aswf.gigdog.fm



Read more about GigDog.fm and Songwriters at SoWal.com feature story:
http://sowal.com/blog/sowal-staff/gigdog-provides-30a-songwriters-radio-station

 

vaguely... that was years and years ago! (at least five! haha). Tix have definitely gone up, but so has the demand. the event is extraordinary when you learn how to get around and see who you want to see and where. Gulf Place is usually my favorite outdoor spot for a headliner, and easy access to the venue - guaranteed access I might add.

 

The 5th annual 30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL is set for January 17, 18 and 19, 2014. Taking place at venues along northwest Florida's scenic Highway 30A and the resort neighborhoods of South Walton, the event will feature performances from such esteemed artists as Kristian Bush (Sugarland), Loudon Wainwright III, Ani DiFranco, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Richard Thompson, Shawn Mullins, John Oates, Jerry Douglas, Rusty Young (Poco), Jonathon Edwards, Jesse Harris, Craig Fuller (Pure Prairie League), John Gorka, Mary Gauthier, James McMurtry, Bob Schneider, Glenn Phillips Band, Matthew Sweet, Jeffrey Steele, Jim Lauderdale, Jimbo Mathus (Squirrel Nut Zippers) and Tinsley Ellis.


Artists conformed for 2014 include Marshall Crenshaw, Teddy Thompson, Grant-Lee Phillips, Ellis Paul, Kim Richey, Hayes Carll, Marshall Chapman, Pierce Pettis, Tommy Talton, Chuck Cannon, Willie Sugarcapps, Allison Moorer, Charlie Mars, Eric Taylor, Tommy Womack, John Driskell Hopkins (Zac Brown Band), Gretchen Peters, Kristy Lee, David Olney, Sergio Webb, Chas Sandford, Joe Leathers, Michael McDermott, Eliot Bronson, The Saint Johns, Garrison Starr, Peter Mulvey,Cooper Carter & the Royal Senders, Callaghan, Seth Walker, Gabriel Kelley, Liv Mueller, Steve Bogard, Kelsey Anna, Brigitte DeMeyer, Kurtis John, Erick Baker, Andrew Combs, Phil Madeira, Buzz Cason, Alan Rhody, Eric Himan, Webb Wilder, Don Dixon & Marti Jones, Paul Cebar, Amy LaVere, Jeff Black, Kyle Jacobs, Ruston Kelly, Pete Sallis, Bryan Kennedy, Old Salt Union, Donnie Sundal and Boukou Groove, Daphne Willis, The Quaildogs, David Berkeley, Ben Glover, Brian White, Karyn Williams, Hannah Thomas, Ryan Culwell, Max Gomez, Mike Whitty (Walton County Musician of the Year), Dave Franklin, John Brodeur, People's Blues of Richmond, Emily Hearn, Kazoots, Scott Boyer & NC Thurman, Chris Michaud, Max McCann, Angel Snow, Reed Waddle, Ashleigh Flynn, Jessica Cayne, DeAnna Cox, Dannica Lowery, The Tall Pines and more - please check the website for a complete listing with photos and bios.


Each year, the 30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL line-up highlights songwriting from a variety of musical styles ranging from folk and country to rock and blues. In 2014, the event will feature 150 songwriters and over 200 performances at 25 venues along Highway 30A in beach communities including WaterColor, WaterSound, Alys Beach, Seagrove, Gulf Place, Rosemary Beach, Grayton Beach, Seacrest and Seaside, all set against the brilliant white sand beaches, turquoise waters and stunning architecture of Highway 30A.


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 a weekend of soulful melodies, powerful vocals and compelling lyrics. VIP dinners are being offered on Saturday at the WaterSound Beach Club with star chef Joe Truex from Watershed on Peachtree (co-owned by Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls) and on Sunday at Grayton Bar & Grill with James Beard finalist chef Steven Satterfield from Miller Union in Atlanta. Both dinners will include wine pairings chosen by wine expert Adam Caperton (former owner of Larder on 30A) as well as special performances by festival musicians.


The 30A Songwriters Festival production team spares no time or expense bringing in state of the art stage, sound and lighting equipment to configure unique listening rooms in each of the 25 venues that partner with the festival each year to produce over 200 shows throughout the weekend; town Halls, restaurants, theaters, bars and covered patios all become magical musical night clubs ranging in capacity from 75 to 400 people.


The 30A Songwriters Festival venue partners include Vue, Gulf Place (sponsored by Merrill Lynch), Pandora's, Hibiscus Coffee & Guesthouse, Grayton Bar & Grill (co-sponsored by JPB Commercial Real Estate and Barker Building Company), Fish Out of Water (sponsored by Emerald Coast Wine & Spirits), The Gathering Spot (sponsored by beachLIFE Magazine), The Boat House (sponsored by Heart's Bluff Music), The Lake House (sponsored by Beach Properties of Florida), Pizza Bar, Bud & Alley's, Crush, The REP Theater (Seaside Meeting Hall), Central Square Records, 723 Whiskey Bravo (sponsored by Tim Wilbanks), WaterSound Beach Club, Caliza (sponsored by Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport), Summer Kitchen, Amavida and Rosemary Beach Town Hall (sponsored by Destin Real Estate Company).


"Last year we had too much fun at the 30A Songwriters Festival...where we took in unique and inspired sets."
--American Songwriter, 11-12


"Pleasing to the ears, easy on the eyes, and soothing to the soul, this is definitely one festival not to be missed."
--Miami Sun Post, 1-13


"The music festival is a unique opportunity to put a name to the actual writers of songs from local artists all the way to the chart-toppers."
--WJHG.com, 1-13



For lodging and special housing packages offered by our lodging partners for the 30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL, please be sure to check the lodging section on the website. These include: WaterColor Inn & Resort, Sunburst Beach Vacations, Ocean Reef Vacation Rentals, Homeowner's Collection--Seaside, FL, Hilton Sandestin Beach, Alys Beach, Beach Rentals of South Walton, Wyndham Vacation Rentals, Paradise Properties, Southern Vacation Rentals, Soleil Rosemary Beach, Soleil Rosemary Beach, The Pearl and Courtyard by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard.


Festival weekend passes are now available for $170 and can be purchased at www.30asongwritersfestival.com, and locally on 30A at the Cultural Arts Alliance office and at Central Square Records in Seaside.


The 30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL is co-produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) and Russell Carter Artist Management, and is presented by Visit South Walton. Others sponsors include ASCAP, Grayton Beer, Nature Walk, Silver Sands Premium Outlets, Sprint, 30a.com, Hasty Guitars and the Americana Music Association.


100% of the net proceeds from the 30A Songwriters Festival benefit the CAA and help it to fulfill its mission to support the arts throughout Walton County. Members of the CAA receive an additional 10% off weekend passes and admission to an exclusive performance on Wednesday, January 15, at Fish Out of Water. Call (850) 622-5970 to become a member and take advantage of the discount.


For more information on the 2014 30A Songwriters Festival, including a full list of artists, venues, and ticket purchase information, visit www.30asongwritersfestival.com.


About the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County
The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, Inc. is the officially designated local arts agency that serves as an umbrella organization and supports the arts through leadership, advocacy, funding, programs and education. The vision of the CAA is to be the catalyst for Walton County's growth as a center for artistic and cultural excellence through which lives are enriched, economy is stimulated and community is strengthened. www.culturalartsalliance.com.

 

30A Songwriters Festival UPDATE

Ticket price to increase JAN 8 at midnight!

We are now a week and five days out from the start of the Festival. Weekend passes to the Festival are available HERE. Admission is currently set at $180, but on Wednesday, January 8th at midnight the ticket price will increase for the last time to $190.

Separate tickets to the two VIP dinners are now on sale through Ticket Alternative.

The dinner at WaterSound Beach Club is scheduled at 4:30 PM on Saturday, January 18th. Joe Truex from Watershed on Peachtree in Atlanta will prepare a four course gourmet meal. Wine consultant Adam Caperton will pair special wines with each course and Kristian Bush of Sugarland will perform an exclusive musical set. Buy your tickets HERE.

Grayton Bar & Grill will host a VIP dinner as well on Sunday, January 19th at 5:30 PM. The meal will be provided by Chef Steven Satterfield from Miller Union in Atlanta. Once again, Adam Caperton will select fine wines for each of the four courses. 30A favorite Shawn Mullins will perform an acoustic set. Buy your tickets HERE. As a reminder, VIP tickets are very limited in number and are available only to patrons who have purchased weekend passes to the Festival. Weekend passes to the Festival are available HERE.

Weekend passes to the Festival are available HERE
Tickets for the VIP dinner at WaterSound Beach Club are available HERE
Tickets for the VIP dinner at Grayton Bar & Grill are available HERE

Local Ticket Outlets
Central Square Records
89 Central Square
Seaside, FL


Bayou Arts Center/CAA Office
105 Hogtown Bayou Lane
(off North 393)
Santa Rosa Beach, FL

The schedule of music and venues will be announced very soon!

Meanwhile, listen to Songwriter's Festival artists at GigDog.fm providing an exclusive online radio station featuring the upcoming 2014 artists. Hear them here before you hear them live!
http://30aswf.gigdog.fm

 

The much anticipated 30A Songwriters Festival is just around the corner. The schedule has just been released and we have it here for you. Keep up with all the latest updated 30A SWF news in the SoWal Insiders Guide here.

The Schedule
Schedule by Venue
Schedule by Artist - Day - Time
Schedule by Day - Time - Venue

SoWal Photos from 30A Songwriters Festival 2013

 

Ani DiFranco is an American singer, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, poet and songwriter. She has released more than 20 albums and is widely considered a feminist icon.

Ani DiFranco will perform at Gulf Place Amphitheater on Saturday JAN 18 at 3:15pm.

Gulf Place lineup

Saturday
12:00pm: Richard Thompson
1:40pm: Loudon Wainwright III
3:15pm: Ani DiFranco

Sunday
11:00am: Cooper Carter
12:00pm: Glenn Phillips
1:30pm: Tinsley Ellis
3:00pm: Robert Randolph

Messina's, SoWal's newest restaurant, is a SongFest venue with shows on Fri, Sat and Sun afternoon/evenings. Check schedule by venue to find out who is playing where along Scenic 30A this weekend.

Learn more about shops and dining in Gulf Place at SoWal Shopping Destination Guide.

 

Take a ride on the music highway. A complimentary Sunshine Shuttle will run continuously Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5pm through 11:30pm and will stop every 15 minutes at the following locations:


Rosemary Beach Town Hall
Caliza
723 Whiskey Bravo
Central Square Records
Fish Out of Water
Lakehouse/Boathouse WaterColor
Grayton Bar & Grill
Pandora's
Messina's
Vue

 

Justin Lyons stage backdrop

The art of 30A Songwriters is one of best parts of SongFest. You'll see large pieces on each main stage all around town created by South Walton artists. We'll share these with SoWal readers here as photos become available.

Justin Lyons has a new studio gallery at Mystic Porte in Grayton Beach.

http://jlyonsart.com/

 

Everyone who has bought a weekend pass must check in at Festival Headquarters at the WaterColor Inn & Resort at 34 Golden Rod Circle, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459. Here you will pick up your wristbands, your printed program and your printed schedule and you can buy our fabulous 2014 30ASWF merchandise. ​

BOX OFFICE HOURS

Wednesday, January 15: 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Thursday, January 16: 10:00am - 8:00pm
Friday, January 17: 10:00am - 10:00pm
Saturday, January 18: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Sunday, January 19: 10:00am - 2:00pm

You can buy Festival weekend passes HERE. Day passes will be available at the box office later in the week but only if the Festival does not sell out completely before then.

 

Not Songwriters venues, BUT there are many local music spots having live music all around town, including The Red Bar, Marie's Bistro, Stinky's, Funky Blues Shack and several more in SoWal. See SoWal Live Music Calendar.

Many of these are having additional music performances in their restaurants/bars this weekend. Check it out! Experience the local music. Many South Walton musicians are impressive singer/songwriters - some will be performing at Songwriters.

 

TICKET UPDATE

Three day passes are now $190 and can be purchased online (through 1/16 midnight) or at the gate (WaterColor Resort).

Day passes will be sold at the box office later this week if the Festival does not sell out in advance on sales of weekend passes.

Friday night only pass - $60
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Saturday day and night only pass - $80
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Sunday day and night only pass - $80
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Saturday AND Sunday day and night only pass - $140

Tickets for the Saturday VIP dinner are sold out. There are a few remaining tickets left for the Sunday VIP dinner at Grayton Bar & Grill featuring an exclusive set by Shawn Mullins. Buy tickets HERE.



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Update from Songwriters Festival / eblast:

It all begins at the opening party at Pandora's in Grayton Beach at 4:00 on Friday. Come meet your friends and have a beer and listen to John Driskoll Hopkins from Zac Brown's band and People's Blues of Richmond kick everyone into gear.

Music starts in earnest in the early evening in all of the venues up and down 30A.

Please remember:
- use the latest updated schedule.
- download the app and utilize its many features.
- take advantage of the shuttles running to every venue.
- first come, first served - if a venue is at legal capacity, check your app and go to one of the many that are not.

DAY PASSES are now on sale at the box office

This is not the Indy 500, it's more like Le Mans - it's three days and a lot of territory to cover - pace yourself.

Headline shows start at noon on Saturday and at eleven on Sunday. Really great beer (as in Grayton Beer) and wine and food (soup, salad, sandwiches, bar b que, cookies etc.) will be available all day, so plan on hanging out and eating and making an afternoon of it both days!

There are still a few seats left for the Grayton Bar & Grill VIP dinner with Chef Steven Satterfield (and an exclusive show by Shawn Mullins). Buy tickets online or at box office.

ASCAP is hosting a party on Friday and Saturday nights from 10:00 PM to 12:00 PM at V Seagrove at the corner of 30A and 395 - it's always fun and typically star studded.

The checkered flag comes down at 11:00 PM when it all comes full circle back to Pandora's for the Purple Rain closing party. Cooper Carter will lead a band and most of the audience in a rousing rendition of the Prince classic.


Drive safely and have lots of fun!