30A Songwriters Festival Coming January 16-18

GRAHAM NASH, LEON RUSSELL, INDIGO GIRLS AND JASON ISBELL
SLATED FOR THE 6TH ANNUAL 30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL
ALONG FLORIDA’S SCENIC HIGHWAY 30A
JANUARY 16, 17 AND 18, 2015

EVENT TO FEATURE 150 SONGWRITERS AND OVER 200 PERFORMANCES AT MORE THAN 25 VENUES

The sixth annual 30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL — set for January 16, 17 and 18, 2015 in South Walton County, FL — has announced the initial line-up for the 2015 celebration of singers and songs. The festival features performances from esteemed artists Graham Nash, Indigo Girls, Leon Russell, Jason Isbell, Shawn Mullins, Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek), Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket). Also confirmed are Jeffrey Steele, Chely Wright, Bobby Bare Jr., Steve Poltz, Angaleena Presley, Over the Rhine, Jesse Harris, Mary Gauthier, Hayes Carll, Bob Schneider, Ellis Paul, Allison Moorer, Deana Carter, Peter Karp & Sue Foley and David Ryan Harris.

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 to perform varied genres of music ranging from country to blues as well as soul and Americana. Expect a bit of Bossa Nova as well. For audiences, it’s a rare chance to connect with their favorite artists in a more intimate, informal setting in Florida’s South Walton County. Festival weekend passes are now available for $200 at www.30asongwritersfestival.com and locally on 30A at the Cultural Arts Alliance office and at Central Square Records in Seaside. Special VIP packages are also available; info is available at the 30A web site.

Graham Nash has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice (with The Hollies in 2010 and with Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1997) as well as the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2009. Simply put, he is one of music’s most legendary singer songwriters and vocal harmony singers (and a renowned photographer and leading activist in our society). Leon Russell, a fellow inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, could be famous for his session work in the 60’s (the Byrds, the Beach Boys, Phil Spector’s hits are just a few) or his band leadership and production work with Bob Dylan, Delaney & Bonnie, Joe Cocker and George Harrison, or for writing “A Song For You” covered by dozens of hit makers. Alas he is famous for all of these as well as the fact that no one has ever captivated arena rock audiences more than Leon Russell sitting at or standing on a grand piano.

Additional artists confirmed for 2015 include Vicki Peterson and Susan Cowsill (Psycho Sisters), Toby Lightman, Liz Longley, Heather Maloney, Charlie Mars, Randall Bramblett, Griffin House, Old Salt Union, Gabriel Kelley, Brigitte DeMeyer, Will Kimbrough, Craig Fuller (Pure Prairie League), Rusty Young (Poco), David Olney, Pierce Pettis, Grant Peeples, Pete Sallis, Gretchen Peters, The Smokin’ Novas, David Berkeley, Jeff Black, Jaren Johnston, Crystal Bowersox, Callaghan, Grayson Capps, Adron, Robbie Hecht, Ruston Kelly, Phil Madeira, Jonathan Singleton, Jeremy Stover, Tommy Talton, Reed Waddle, Daphne Willis, Webb Wilder, Cooper Carter & the Royal Senders, Nicole Witt, Alan Rhody, Kyle Jacobs, Joe Leathers and Billy Montana plus many more to be confirmed this fall.

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 indoors and 3500 outdoors.

Four course VIP dinners are being offered on Saturday and on Sunday created by award-winning chefs from the Southeast. Both dinners will include wine pairings chosen by wine expert Adam Caperton (former owner of Larder on 30A) as well as special musical guests to be announced at a later date. Several VIP packages offering VIP seating sections in the bigger venues, exclusive personal town car or limousine transportation for the entire weekend and a VIP tent serving complementary lunch, beer and wine at Gulf Place Amphitheater are available online at www.30asongwritersfestival.com

The 30A Songwriters Festival venue partners include Fish Out of Water, The Boat House, The Lake House, The Gathering Spot, Pandora’s, Pizza Bar, Bud & Alley’s, Central Square Records, Caliza at Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach Town Hall, Vue, Gulf Place, Amavida, WaterSound Beach Club, 723 Whiskey Bravo, The REP Theater (Seaside Meeting Hall) and Hibiscus Coffee & Guesthouse.

“There is a very special excitement and vibe that is palpable every year throughout 30A in January, the month of the Festival,” says Russell Carter of Russell Carter Artist Management and Festival Producer. “The common emotional thread among us all including the musicians, organizers, volunteers, venues, lodging partners, corporate sponsors and most certainly the ticket buyers, is an absolute love for great songwriting and exceptional musical performances. We are all moved and informed by musical expressions, showmanship, glamour, humor, and outright drama – it is high art on 30A! .”

“Each year we build on the success of the prior year,” says Jennifer Steele, Executive Director of the Cultural Arts Alliance and Festival Producer. “Our greatest marketing asset is the word of mouth enthusiasm that is spread by performing musicians and the fans that come to see them. The 30A community of businesses and individual volunteers take personal pride in producing an event unique to the culture and geography of our Gulf Coast community in South Walton. It is particularly gratifying to be able to say that 30A is a place where writers are inspired, songs are written and amazing performances are staged time and time again.”