2014 30A Songwriters Festival

The fifth annual 30-A Songwriters Festival has been announced for the weekend of January 17 19, 2014 (MLK three day holiday weekend). Music will be produced in over twenty venues located on a 20 mile stretch of scenic highway 30-A on the Gulf coast. Over two hundred performances will take place on stages set up in the famous beachside resorts including WaterColor, Alys Beach, Seaside, Gulf Place, Santa Rosa Beach, Rosemary Beach, Grayton Beach and Seagrove.

Lodging will be provided on the artists' days of performances.

Artists who have performed at the 30-A Songwriters Festival include: Indigo Girls, Rodney Crowell, The Bangles, Lucinda Williams, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Matthew Sweet, Fastball, Shawn Mullins, Suzanne Vega, Joan Osborne, Sam Bush, Mat Kearney, Jeffrey Steele, John Oates, Jim Lauderdale, Mary Gauthier, Tift Merritt, Chely Wright, Corey Chisel, Will Kimbrough, David Ryan Harris, Corey Smith, David Wilcox, Freedy Johnson, Steve Forbert, John Driskill Hopkins, Randall Bramblett, Allison Moorer, Don Dixon, Marti Jones, Webb Wilder, Chuck Cannon, Lori McKenna, The Shadowboxers, Kim Richey and many others. The lineup for 2014 will be announced later this year. Please visit 30AsongwritersFestival.com for updates and contact Russell Carter at russell@rcam.com with any questions regarding booking of musicians.

Check out these quotes from artist and fans at the 2013 edition of the festival:

The 30A Festival is a 3-day party which takes place along the outrageously gorgeous beaches of South Walton County, Florida, unexpectedly romantic in wintertime 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 experience of 30A is guaranteed to make you feel exhilarated and alive Susanna Hoffs (The Bangles)

Playing the 30A Songwriters Festival 2010 was one of the recent highlights of the Indigo Girls career I am quite sure the festival will expand, year after year until 30A is brimming with music lovers from all over. Emily Saliers (the Indigo Girls)

My family and I really enjoyed our visit to the 30A Songwriters Festival. The uniqueness of being able to see and hear so much great music in funky bars, intimate theaters and amazing restaurants really gives this festival a down home personality all its own. It was well organized, the people were friendly, the food was great and there was cool music everywhere what more could you want? John Oates (Hall & Oates)

Took us 10 hours travel time each way for the weekend, but it was worth every minute of it. The in-the-round format with great artists on the stage made for some unexpected surprises, like when Shawn Mullins and Matthew Sweet spontaneously backed up Susanna Hoffs on an all-acoustic performance of Manic Monday. We went to every show we could squeeze in and were introduced to all kinds of new music and songwriters.

The 30A Songwriters Festival is one of the most diverse songwriters festivals Ive ever been to. The wide range of songwriters performing, the great crowds, the unique venues, and the beautiful location all made for an incredible experience. Shawn Mullins

Well see you next year for sureand were bringing all or our friends along.

had a WONDERFUL weekend. Thanks so much for all the work you do to make the festival run as friction-free as possible. It really is a unique and treasured thing, this opportunity to reconnect.

Our shows were all packed and the crowds were amazing! What a treat to be in a town full of music loving supporters and mind-blowing talent from all over the US!

I have never had a better experience performing live nor enjoyed an audience more than the crowd at 30A.

Thanks for the opportunity to be a part of such a special weekend. So many talented songwriters!! All the hard work was noticed and appreciated.

I had the best time at 30A! I cant think of a better way to spend a long weekend great songs, great songwriters, beautiful beaches, good food and the best hospitality Ive ever experienced at any music festival. Bar none. The locals were the highlight for me. Chely Wright

We had such an amazing time and we were really blown away by the whole event! Its a truly unique and inspiring thing you guys are doing. I know how much effort, detail, organization and people it takes to pull it off. You guys have an amazing team and system.

You have lined up great talent, the venues are great, it is a special atmosphere that I have not experienced anywhere!

I would like to thank you tremendously for the opportunity to perform at the 2013 30A Songwriters Festival. I had an incredible time! The staff at each venue was highly professional and made the evenings go smoothly the audiences were enthusiastic and generous and the entire atmosphere of the festival inspired me."

It was truly an honor being a part of this event. You guys did such an amazing job with this. I was blown away.

Produced by Russell Carter and Jennifer Steele for the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, Inc.