Songwriters Featured at Sandestin Wine Festival Apr 16-19

Sandestin will feature an exciting music lineup for the 29th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival April 16-19, 2015 - the premier and longest running wine event on the Emerald Coast. This year‟s festival will bring new musical styles from regional artists to the stage in The Village of Baytowne Wharf.

The Friday night Grand Wine Tasting will showcase local group Free Monica as well as Nashville up and comer Maggie Chapman. Saturday afternoon will feature musicians from the Chris Alvarado Trio, followed by former The Voice sweethearts Elenowen. Elenowen and Maggie Chapman will also perform an intimate songwriter‟s round at the exclusive Saturday VIP party.

“We are excited to welcome two Nashville rising and buzz-worthy stars, as well as keep the local feel in place with South Walton musicians, in an effort to continuously add to the mystique of this event as the "Kentucky Derby of wine festivals‟, said special event manager Julie Stuckey. “I know the Sandestin Wine Festival patrons will be impressed with the songwriting talent and charisma of these extremely talented performers. If they aren‟t already household names, they will be."

Most fans of Elenowen fell in love with the duo during their appearances on the inaugural season of NBC‟s The Voice, and have stayed true to their characteristic tender melodies, lyrical motifs and incandescent acoustic work. Rolling Stone says their sophomore album, For TheTaking, “bridges the gap between seventies folk and rock, modern America.”  
Elenowen also had success with their single "Honey Come Home" which reached #1 on the iTunes singer-songwriter charts.

Fresh off her brand new placement on Pretty Little Liars with “It Should‟ve Been You”, Maggie Chapman returns to the Village of Baytowne Wharf for an encore performance from her fall debut on the Emerald Coast. Undoubtedly, when it comes to crafting lyrical brilliance and unforgettable melodies, the Florida native is in no short supply. Her debut album, Vignette garnered attention with placements on RollingStone.com, USA Today and American Songwriter. Outlets including Teen Vogue and Kings of A&R echoed their enthusiasm for Maggie, with similar "Artist to Watch For‟ praises in the recent months.

Local singer-songwriters Kyle LaMonica and Ben Freidman will kick off Friday night with their duo “Free Monica”. LaMonica was nominated for 30A Hotspot Awards “Hottest Local Musicians/Bands” category, 2012 Beachcomber Musician of the Year nominee and a 2013 Beachcomber nominee for the Best Solo Artist. The other half of the duo – Ben Freidman –works as a solo artist and on projects such as Von Brain, plus records and produces in his spare time. Chris Alvarado, who also calls Santa Rosa Beach his home and was named a finalist in the Nashville Music City Songwriting Competition, the 2014 American Songwriting Awards and semi-finalist in the Unsigned Only Music Competition.

For more information about the Sandestin Wine Festival, visit www.SandestinWineFestival.com. Packages combining discounted accommodations and tickets are also available with savings up to 25% off (code: WINE15), call 866.91.BEACH.
 

The Sandestin Wine Festival at Baytowne Wharf brings an opportunity for discovery. Four days of unique events open up a wide range of experiences from attending wine dinners with celebrity chefs, participating in preview events throughout the year, and taking part in wine tastings that showcases hundreds of wines. For information and tickets, visit www.sandestinwinefestival.com.