South Walton Gears Up For Annual 30A Songwriters Festival

South Walton County’s ninth annual 30A Songwriters Festival is just around the corner, and the four-day musical event, held along scenic Highway 30A, is set for January 12-15, 2018, with 175 artists and songwriters set to perform.

Headlining the annual event at Grand Boulevard’s Town Center are Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, The Zombies, North Mississippi Allstars, Ann Wilson of Heart, and Lee Ann Womack. Also scheduled for night premier performances are Charles Kelly of Lady Antebellum, Patty Griffin, Emily Saliers of Indigo Girls with her solo band Murmuration Nation, Shawn Mullins and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame members Mike Reid and Craig Wiseman.

“The 30A Songwriters Festival is a unique cultural event like no other in this area,” says Jennifer Steele, the Executive Director and Festival Co-Producer. “The Festival brings together nearly every South Walton community and many businesses to showcase our home as a destination, not only for its beautiful beaches but also for its musical and creative excellence, which is the purpose of the Cultural Arts Alliance.”

Proceeds from the 30A Songwriters Festival benefit the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County and help it to fulfill its mission to advance the arts throughout Walton County.

“The Festival is critical to the mission of the Cultural Arts Alliance and by far our biggest fundraiser. 100 percent of the Festival's net proceeds go back into our non-profit and enable the CAA to continue to be a champion for the arts in Walton County,” Steele said.

For more information on the 2018 Festival, including updates on confirmed artists, venues, and ticket purchase information, visit www.30asongwritersfestival.com A variety of festival weekend passes are now available starting at $255 and can be purchased at www.30asongwritersfestival.com, and locally in South Walton at the Cultural Arts Alliance office in Santa Rosa Beach, the Foster Gallery in Grand Boulevard and at Central Square Records in Seaside.

“The 2018 Festival lineup is shaping up to be the best ever combination of Americana, Country, Folk, Alternative and Blues songwriters,” says Russell Carter, Festival Co-Producer.

The 30A Songwriters Festival has once again teamed up with NPR's Folk Alley, a multimedia music service produced by WKSU. Folk Alley will be on site throughout the weekend producing unique sessions interviewing artists and filming and recording performances in a home studio on 30A. The in-studio Sessions are aired on the syndicated Folk Alley Radio Show. The Sessions from the 30A Songwriters Festival are archived as well at folkalley.com.

In addition, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers returns as a sponsor and hosts a three-night series of up-and-coming and seasoned songwriters in the round and late night artist parties.