January Sparks Music Lovers Throughout Walton County

Jan 4, 2024 | Events, Music Scene, Walton & Beyond

By Kerri Parker

Live music tours and festivals will be held across various venues throughout the county – more than any other time of the year.

Fresh into the New Year, there is a buzz with a cool beat around the music scene in Walton County. Local restaurants and music venues are planning and preparing in anticipation for the flock of music lovers who follow the music scene; to and within Walton County, Florida.

On January 6, a new tour is coming to town with the debut concert of ‘The Broken Crayons Tour’ at South Walton High School Theater in Santa Rosa Beach. The debut will showcase performances by artists from across the nation.

The Broken Crayons Tour precedes the 30A Songwriters and Swamp Writers Festivals happening simultaneously over Martin Luther King weekend, January 11-15.

The 30A Songwriters Festival is a fine-tuned multi-venue ticketed festival with more than 175 artists, 225 performances and 30 music venues. 30A Songwriters Festival has hosted John Prine, Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile, Indigo Girls, Leon Russell, Emmylou Harris and many more since its inception.

For 14 years, the Swamp Writer Festival has grown from one night to a four-day festival hosted by famed Stinky’s Bait Shack on 30A. The free festival features local and regional artists and often has special appearances from musicians from all over the world who love playing the renowned honky tonk.

North of the bay, a new tour is taking shape through the efforts of Southern Sound Music Alliance, a team of seasoned live music event planners, Jennifer Sundal and Naomi Alvarado. “We try to serve as the bridge between the music community and venues,” says Naomi, who lives in Freeport. Details about the tour will be released in the coming weeks.

On January 26, at the historic theater in downtown DeFuniak Springs, the Tim Jackson’s Storytellers Tour brings live performances by national recording artists. The intimate theater performances allow touring artists a peek into the small town charm of DeFuniak Springs. A loyal following of local music lovers attend the monthly shows.