30A Songwriters Festival
Celebrating 15 years in 2024
For the past 15 years, the 30A Songwriters Festival has attracted thousands of dedicated live music fans from around the world to hear original songwriters spanning multiple genres perform their songs. The beach resort towns along Scenic Highway 30A on the Gulf of Mexico feature 30 venues presenting over 180 songwriters and 280+ solo, band, and in-the-round performances throughout the weekend of January 12 – 15, 2024.
30A Songwriters Festival will celebrate its 15th year with performances on the main stage at presenting partner Grand Boulevard’s Town Center in Miramar Beach with headline performances by renowned artists JEFF TWEEDY, ELVIS COSTELLO & THE IMPOSTERS, ROSANNE CASH and KT TUNSTALL.
The festival will also be welcoming the following first-timers to 30A: KELLY WILLIS, SHANNON WHITWORTH AND WOODY PLATT, SUNNY WAR, CHAPEL HART, JOHN MUQ, JACK BARKSDALE, THE PINK STONES, DAVID CHILDERS, MEGAN BURTT, RACHAEL KILGOUR, PETE FRANCIS, DEREK and KATELYN DRYE, MATTHEW KILLOUGH, MIKE KINNEBREW, CAITLIN CANNON and BAYLEE LITTRELL.
Returning to perform two shows each throughout the weekend are songwriting legends RODNEY CROWELL, JOHN OATES, STEVE EARLE, MATTHEW SWEET, MINDY SMITH, DRIVIN N CRYIN, AARON LEE TASJAN (WITH BAND), PARKER MILLSAP, PETER YARROW, DAVID RYAN HARRIS, SHAWN MULLINS, ROBYN HITCHCOCK, JOHN FULLBRIGHT, BLACK OPRY REVUE, VICKI PETERSON AND JOHN COWSILL, JEFFREY STEELE, DAVID LOWERY (CRACKER), EMERSON HART, THE REV. SHAWN AMOS &THE BROTHERHOOD, MARY GAUTHIER, BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN, SARAH LEE GUTHRIE, WILL HOGE, CHUCK PROPHET, FLORENCE DORE, DAN BERN and ABE PARTRIDGE.
We are pleased to announce the following additional confirmed artists: Jeff Black, Heather Maloney, Scott Miller, Grant-Lee Phillips, Garrison Starr, Gurufish, Will Kimbrough, Kim Richey, Paul McDonald, Brendan Abernathy, Charlie Mars, Dan Navarro, Mary Bragg, Eliot Bronson, Pat Byrne, Robby Hecht, The Kennedys, Joe Leathers, Michael Farren, Martha’s Trouble, Darden Smith, Brian White, Karyn Williams, Diane Durrett, The Rough & Tumble, Becky Warren, The Tall Pines, Levi Lowrey, Bradley Cole Smith, Trisha Gene Brady, Meaghan Farrell, Jesse Lynn Madera, Alice Peacock, Jennifer Lynn Simpson, Sammi Accola, Chris Alvarado, Pete Francis, Kurtis John, Casey LeVasseur, and Cat Ridgeway. An Additional 100+ Artists Will Be Announced Over the Next Few Weeks—Stay Tuned
The 30A Songwriters Festival production team transforms amphitheaters, town halls, restaurants, theaters, bars and covered patios into unique music venues with state of the art sound systems ranging in capacity from 75 to 750 seats indoors and 6,000 outdoors.
The 30A Songwriters Festival is co-produced by Russell Carter Artist Management and the Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) of Walton, and net proceeds from the Festival support the CAA’s mission to advance the Arts in Walton County, Florida.
Russell Carter, President of Russell Carter Artist Management and Festival Co-Producer points out “2023 marks the 14th year of producing the always sold out 30A Songwriters Festival. It began as a small event and grew quickly into a premier one-of-a kind musical showcase for world-class songwriters. Our goal is to curate a Festival that presents the very best touring songwriters and performers whether they are hot off the heels of an emerging artist award (Morgan Wade) or going strong in the sixth decade of an influential and heralded career (Tom Rush). We want our audiences to experience musicians representing diverse genres of music – jazz, blues, country, folk, Americana, rock – with just two stipulations – they have to write their own music and they have to be really great at it!”
“The 30A Songwriters Festival is not only the premier songwriters festival; it is the singular event that brings together thousands of music fans, hundreds of artists and nearly every South Walton neighborhood to support and celebrate the Arts; the energy it generates is unmatched,” said CAA Executive Director and Festival Co-Producer Jennifer Steele. “The Festival is also an important part of the CAA’s vision to make Walton County a creative place. It thrills us to be able to welcome artists like Lyle Lovett, Yola, Morgan Wade, and the Black Opry Revue to our market for the first time, along with returning favorites like Rickie Lee Jones, Kathleen Edwards and Steve Earle. Year 14 is one you won’t want to miss!”
Festival Weekend Passes are currently available at www.30asongwritersfestival.com. VIP tickets that include premium seating on the lawn at Grand Boulevard for the headline shows on Saturday and Sunday afternoons along with access to the VIP tent serving complimentary food, beer, wine and cocktails are also available. For a full description of each ticket package including VIP mainstage and transportation packages for groups of 2 up to 12, visit www.30asongwritersfestival.com.
The 30A Songwriters Festival is presented by Grand Boulevard with additional support from Visit South Walton and the Florida Department of State Division of Arts & Culture. Lodging partners include 30A Beach Girls, 360 Blue, Alys Beach, Courtyard Marriott, Hibiscus, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, Hotel Effie, Hyatt Place, Ocean Reef, The Pearl Hotel, Rosemary Beach Inn, and WaterColor Inn.
Music Venue Partners include Grand Boulevard (headline stage), The St. Joe Company (WaterColor Lake House, WaterColor BoatHouse, Fish Out Of Water (FOOW), Havana Beach Bar & Grill at The Pearl Hotel and The Pavilion at Watersound Town Center), Alys Beach (Caliza), Bud & Alley’s, Seaside (The REP), Rosemary Beach Town Hall, The Bay, North Beach Social, The Shops of Grayton, Raw & Juicy, The Big Chill (formerly The Hub), AJ’s Grayton Beach, LaCo, Hibiscus Coffee & Guest House, The Wine Bar at WaterColor, Beach Camp Brewpub, Old Florida Fish House, Red Fish Taco, Hyatt Place, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, Hotel Effie, Beach Happy Cafe, Central Square Records, and Grayton Beer Taproom.
The 30A Songwriters Festival is presented by Grand Boulevard with additional support from Visit South Walton and the Florida Department of State Division of Arts & Culture.
About the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County
The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, Inc. is the officially designated local arts agency that advances the arts through leadership, advocacy, funding, programs and education. As the creative core of our community for 30 years, the CAA provides accessible opportunities for all forms of art, every variety of maker, all levels of learners and art lovers. Through support for and presentation of creative and educational programs and services, the CAA strives to connect the people of Walton County to a broader view, critical exploration and answers only the Arts have the power to provide. Members of the CAA receive a 10% discount off weekend passes and admission to an exclusive performance on Wednesday, January 12th. Call (850) 622-5970 to become a member and take advantage of the discount. www.culturalartsalliance.com.
About Russell Carter Artist Management
Russell Carter Artist Management is a full-service artist management firm that has worked with national recording artists since 1990 currently including Indigo Girls, Shawn Mullins, Susanna Hoffs, Matthew Sweet, Abe Patridge, and Sarah Lee Guthrie. Prior to forming RCAM, Russell Carter practiced entertainment law in Atlanta for ten years. He is a board member of the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) in Florida. RCAM, based in the 4th Ward in Atlanta, books, promotes, and co-produces the 30A Songwriters Festival with the CAA and co-produces the Opelika Songwriters Festival in Alabama with the Sound Wall.
About Grand Boulevard
Grand Boulevard is the shop, dine, play and stay Town Center located on Northwest Florida’s Beaches. Based on the prominent mixed-use architectural model, Grand Boulevard offers a dynamic lifestyle experience with convenient access to a multitude of exclusive shopping and dining options, entertainment, professional services, corporate offices and lodging. Grand Boulevard is a Howard Group and Merchants Retail Partners property. For more information visit GrandBoulevard.com.