SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla (Top40 Charts/ TLC PR) The 30A Songwriters Festival announces headline acts for the January 13-15, 2012 event including Indigo Girls, Rodney Crowell, The Bangles, Shawn Mullins, Sam Bush Band and Matthew Sweet.
These acclaimed songwriters will join more than 120 talented artists from across the country to share intimate moments with friends and fans along Florida's Scenic Highway 30A in South Walton along Northwest Florida's Gulf Coast.
The three-day music festival will feature more than 125 musicians and over 250 performances in venues ranging from intimate listening rooms to spacious outdoor amphitheaters amid a backdrop of brilliant white sand beaches, turquoise waters and stunning architecture.
Susanna Hoffs of The
Bangles described the 2011 event as "a series of magical moments unfolding over the course of the long weekend - old friends reuniting, new friendships being born…Large audiences and performers enjoying days and nights of music, storytelling both poignant and humorous, spontaneous jams, Southern hospitality, delicious food and wine."
The third annual festival, produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA), presented by Visit South Walton and sponsored by Seaside and 30A.com, has quickly grown into one of the premier songwriters festivals in the country. Representing diverse styles ranging from folk and country to rock and alternative, the 2012 line-up features nationally-acclaimed songwriters and musicians including The Bangles, Rodney Crowell, Shawn Mullins, Matthew Sweet, Indigo Girls and
Fastball as well as
David Wilcox, Steve Forbert, Mary Gauthier, Sam Bush, Randall Bramblett, Tommy Talton, Jeffrey Steele, Chely Wright, Chuck Cannon, Corey Smith,
David Olney, Davin McCoy, Lori McKenna, Tommy Womack, Kevn Kinney, The Shadowboxers, Larkin Poe, Emily Lynch, Joseph Arthur, Matthew Mayfield, Rachel Platten, Callaghan,
David Berkeley, Garrison Starr, Jeff Black, Joe Leathers, Ben Glover, Billy Montana, Chas Sanford, Brian and Karyn White, Greg Barnhill, Forrest Williams Band, Kyle Jacobs, Kelsey Anna, Reed Waddle, Meg Huthchinson,
Brigitte Demeyer, Daphne Willis, Shannon Whitworth, Suzi Ragsdale, Georgia, Ashleigh Flynn,
Joanna Cotten, Bryan Kennedy, Matthew Kahler and over 75 more.
"What sets the 30A Songwriters Festival apart from others in the country is, one: we create listening rooms in truly unique beach resort venues and two: we book musically diverse artists," said Russell Carter, event organizer and chair and president of Russell Carter Artist Management. "Rodney Crowell and the
Bangles have both scored numerous number one hits, but I am willing to say that only at the 30A Songwriters Festival are you able to hear Rodney sing 'It's Such a Small World' and 'I Couldn't Leave You If I Tried,' and then run across the street and hear the
Bangles belt out 'Eternal Flame,' 'Walk Like an Egyptian' and 'Manic Monday.' Rodney will perform with a full band as will the Indigo Girls and Sam Bush. Matthew Sweet will perform "
Girlfriend" in its entirety to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of the platinum certified album. Audiences who truly enjoy music will not want to miss this event."
Scenic Highway 30A in South Walton meanders along the Gulf of Mexico through charming beach neighborhoods, including
Santa Rosa Beach, Grayton Beach, WaterColor, Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach as well as state parks and more than a dozen rare coastal dune lakes.
"The relaxed, laid back vibe of the beachside resorts along scenic Highway 30A creates the perfect atmosphere for this world-class event," said Jennifer Steele, event organizer and executive director of the CAA. "South Walton already celebrates a thriving arts community, which includes a vibrant music scene and an abundance of talented musicians. We are delighted to bring such high-caliber songwriters, performers and up-and-coming artists from around the country to 30A to play for music savvy audiences."
Proceeds from the 30A Songwriters Festival benefit the CAA. Early bird ticket pricing of $100 for a three-day pass is still available for a limited time. For more information on the 2012 festival, including a full list of artists, venues, accommodations packages and how to purchase tickets, visit 30asongwritersfestival.com. To learn more about South Walton and Scenic Highway 30A, log on to visitsouthwalton.com, 30a.com or sowal.com.
