30A Songwriters Festival 2012 Lineup is Crisp

Get your early bird tickets to the 30A Songwriters Festival now. It's not really that early anymore and if you don't get 'em now you might not get 'em at all.

The SoWal-sponsored event is January 13-15, 2012 and includes headliners Indigo Girls, Rodney Crowell, The Bangles, Shawn Mullins, Sam Bush Band and Matthew Sweet. 

Produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA), the third-annual event brings together talented songwriters and musicians from around the country to perform in unique venues along Scenic 30A in South Walton. 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.

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.”

Quickly growing into one of the premier songwriters festivals in the country, the 30A Songwriters Festival attracts artists who represent many different genres. With styles ranging from folk, country, 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. "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."

Festival venues span along Scenic 30A and include Vue, Fire, The Naked Grape and the Gulf Place Amphitheatre in Santa Rosa Beach; First Note Music Hall in Blue Mountain Beach; Hibiscus, Pandora’s and Shorty’s in Grayton Beach; Fish Out of Water, The Gathering Spot and The Boathouse in WaterColor; The Lyceum, Bud & Alley’s, Pizza Bar, Central Square Records and the Seaside Meeting Hall Theatre in Seaside; La Botana in Seagrove; Caliza in Alys Beach; the amphitheater in Seacrest Beach; and Amavida, The Summer Kitchen and the Town Hall in Rosemary Beach.

"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.