Standouts at 30A Songwriter's Festival

The 30A Songwriter's Festival was a gluttonous buffet of killer talent. Only saw one act I didn't care for, and I won't say who.

Here are a few wonderful morsels:

The Smoking Flowers are a husband and wife alt-country/folk duo with unusual harmonies, fabulous stage presence and, to me at least, a very new sound. They are taking old forms (think June Carter and Johnny Cash) and bending things in new, intriguing  ways ways. Tight vocals, tight playing, an a super-cool vibe. A delight. I'd like to see these two tour with festgrrl's long-time faves, The Avett Brothers.

Pat Hull. This guy just absolutely slayed me. High, clear as a bell voice that hits you right in the solar plexus. Heart-wrenching lyrics. He's a youngster but has an old poet's soul for sure. He and his girlfriend drove 20 hours from New York to play here on the Gulf coast, and I am so very glad they made the trip.

Dread Clampitt and Sam Bush. Blistering set Saturday night, everyone sweat-drenched, Kenny Oliverio SLAPPIN' that bass,  Johniie Reinlie on drums, Balder Saunders killing it on the mandolin, Kyle Ogle shredding the guitar, and the uber-talented Sam Bush letting his hair down and playing that electric mando wild and nasty like some lead guitarist for an arena rock band... except way better. It was a Walton County throwdown, the likes of which  I haven't seen before and I've SEEN some Walton County throwdowns, y'all!

The Indigo Girls These two should win the gold medal in Olympic singing. Ridiculously talented. And worth it even though it was freezing and windy and they started late. Their new song, "Fighting for the Love of Our Lives" is an awesome anthem for the push to allow people to marry whoever the hell they want, thank you very much.

A final word about the festival: Organizer Jennifer Saunders had the worst weather luck imaginable. Here she holds a fest in sunny Florida on the beach and it rains ALL DAY Saturday and Saturday night. Then, bitter cold winds kick up just in time for the Indigo Girls concert on the once-sunny beach! It was brutal! Let's hope the bad weather this time doesn't keep anyone away for what we hope will be a repeat of this worthy event. Thanks Jen!

30A Songwriters Festival is Going to Be Amazing

Here's something to look forward to after the holidays. The weekend of January 15 (Happy Birthday Martin Luther King, Jr. and my late mama, Helen)is the 30A Songwriter's Festival. Details are here

This is in gorgeous Walton County, Florida, home of the fantastic Dread Clampitt, Waco Ramblers, and Green Hit. AND IT IS ONLY $40 FOR THE WEEKEND.Volunteers get half off.

(It's kind of pricey to stay/eat/drink around there, so be forewarned and be prepared for some North Florida sticker shock.)

This is Nashville on the Coast. We're talking about some major songwriters, including The Indigo Girls, Rodney Crowell, John Oates from Hall & Oates, newgrass God Sam Bush, Susanna Hoffs of girl-pop sensation The Bangles, Gary Louris from The Jayhawks, Shawn Mullins ("What a Beautiful Wreck You Are"), Mike and Ruthy of The Mammals, Nashville songwriting powerhouse Jeffrey Steele, Matthew Sweet of The Thorns, and country darling Chely Wright, just to name a few.

Your ticket gets you a wristband, and the performances are spread out among venues -- some bars/restaurants, some ampitheatres -- up and down 30A. Kickoff party happens Friday night at the cool and delicious Bud & Alley's restaurant.

Says the website: Plan on three days of non-stop, intimate concerts including solo performances and multi artist "in the round" singing and storytelling sessions. Your ticket/wrist band will allow you to travel up and down the Beaches of South Walton and freely access all shows in beautiful venues in Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach, Seaside, Miramar Beach, WaterColor and Grayton Beach.

I am beyond thrilled for this event, and ever so thankful to Jen Saunders and others for making it happen!