Each year WUWF heads east to 30A to share in some of the Gulf Coast's music scene. We listen to artists and record special sessions for Acoustic Interlude.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For more information on the 2014 30A Songwriters Festival, including a full list of artists, venues, and ticket purchase information, visit www.30asongwritersfestival.com