More Videos from 30A Songwriters Festival!

Here are two wonderful up-and-coming singer-songwriters that I saw at the 30A Songwriters Festival. They are both out of Nashville.

When I went to the festival,one of the artists I was most excited to see was Madi Diaz and I was not disappointed! She's a young, indie gem with a gorgeous voice and interesting lyrics. The second video is of Jeremy Lister, who was voted as Nashville's Best Singer-Songwriter of 2008 in the Nashville Scene Awards. Enjoy!

Mary Gauthier at 30A Songwriters Festival

Here's another great performance from the 30A Songwriters Festival. Mary Gauthier performs her haunting song, "Mercy Now." Listen closely to these amazing lyrics.

This video has a funny intro -- Gauthier congratulates country star Chely Wright (just off camera to Gauthier's left)on coming out as a lesbian on the Oprah show, and shares some hilarious bits of her own background. Then the song's ON.... Tania Elizabeth ( formerly of the Canadian newgrass band The Duhks) sings ethereal backup and plays soulful fiddle.

Lots of Talent at 30A Songwriters Festival

The incomparable Dar Williams put on a couple of fine perfomances at the second-ever 30A Songwriters Festival over the weekend. The festival delivered intimate songs and settings with some of the finest talent around. OK, I cried. More than once. Some of these songs are just so beautiful and heartfelt. I came home with a stack of CDs, some new favorites, and a computer full of videotaped performances. For those of you who didn't make it, I'll be posting more videos here for your listening pleasure!

Here's Dar singing "February."

Talent's Coming Down for 30A Songwriter's Festival This Weekend

A massive migration of ridiculous talent heads to the Panhandle coast this weekend for the 30A Songwriters Festival . Last year's festival left me impressed by the heart-felt songcraft. I brought home a lot of new musical discoveries. Here are some of the offbeat acts that festgrrl is most intrigued to see this weekend: Lucy Wainwright Roche,  The Shadowboxers,  Madi Diaz,  Jessica Smucker , Angel Snow, Reed Waddle, The Smoking Flowers, Pat Hull, Chuck Cannon, Zach, Jen Foster, and Madison Violet.

Dumpstaphunk!

Dumpstaphunk is is one of the best funk bands playing today, no doubt. Fresh off the Jam Cruise, Ivan Neville (son of sweet-voiced Aaron) and his band come to Tallahassee Friday night, Jan. 14, at the Engine Room. Gonna be a paaaaaaarty, y'all. $12 advance, $15 at the door. Local wildman band (featuring the Sexual Manatee)Catfish Alliance open.

ATTENTION DEADHEADS!

Internet Pre-Sale tickets open this Friday, Jan. 7, at noon, for the three southeast shows on Furthur's spring tour. That's Sunday April 3, at Atlanta's Fox Theater, Tuesday, April 5 at the UCF Arena in Orlando, and Wednesday, April 6 at the Mizner Park Ampitheater in Boca Raton.

Regular sales, through Ticketmaster, open January 14 at 10 a.m. Write it down on your calendars, y'all, and see you at one of the shows!

Radiators at Wanee Festival

This is the last year to see the legendary New Orleans band The Radiators in its current form. After 33 years, they are calling it quits in mid-June 2011 (although some members want to keep going, so we'll see some great music in any case.)

The good news is we'll get to see the Rads at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Fl on Wednesday, April 13 -- the day before the Allman Brothers' annual Wanee Festival.

Also on the bill this year, the Steve Miller Band, who wrote one of festgrrl's fave songs of all time, The Window.

Looks like we're gonna keep on rockin' in 2011