Full Lineup Announced for 30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL in Florida

The 30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL has announced the full line-up for the January 17, 18 and 19, 2014event set to take place at venues along northwest Florida's scenic Highway 30A and the resort neighborhoods of South Walton. The 5th annual celebration 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.

Additional artists confirmed for 2014 include Marshall Crenshaw, Teddy Thompson, Grant-Lee Phillips, Ellis Paul, Kim Richey, Hayes Carll, Marshall Chapman, Pierce Pettis, Tommy Talton, Chuck Cannon, Williesugarcapps, 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 and The Tall Pines. For a full list of performers, please check the 30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL website.

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 over200 performances at 25 venues along Highway 30A in beach communities including WaterColor, WaterSound, Alys Beach, Seagrove, Gulf Place, Rosemary Beach, Grayton Beach, Blue Mountain Beachand 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 ofsoulful 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; amphitheaters, 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 (sponsored by Nature Walk), 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).

For lodging and special housing packages offered by out-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. 2014 30A Songwriters Festival partners include: Atlanta Magazine, Sowal.com, Nashville Lifestyles Magazine, The Beachcomber, The Thirty-A Review and relix.com.

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