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Advertorial: For a song Free music fest at Sandestin draws stars, songwriters
Nationally-acclaimed singer/songwriters will converge on Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort next weekend for a free two-day concert intended to rock the Village of Baytowne Wharf.
The event kicks off at 6 p.m. on Aug. 13 at Hammerhead’s Bar & Grill when songwriter Marty Dodson and rising star Kree Harrison take the stage at the Village’s dock at the bay. Dodson has written hits for the legendary Rascal Flatts and Kenny Chesney.
The music continues with a jam session at Rum Runners Piano Bar with Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter/pianist James Slater and Broadway performer Lari White at 8 p.m.
Country singer/songwriters Jeffrey Steele and Danny Myrick join blues man Delbert McClinton to rock the Funky Blues Shack from 10 p.m. until midnight.
The music heats up again the night of Aug. 14 in the Village’s Events Plaza from 7 - 10 p.m. with headliners Steve Cropper, Lee Roy Parnell, and McClinton.
Cropper is a producer and former songwriting partner of Otis Redding, with whom he co-wrote “Dock of the Bay.”
All events are free and open to the public, but donations are accepted, which will benefit the National Audubon Society to help in Gulf cleanup efforts due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Food and drink will be available throughout the Village during the event.
A meet and greet cruise aboard the Solaris dining yacht has already sold out, said Sandestin Events Director Shawna Meisner. Those planning to attend the other events are encouraged to go online to www.sandestinmusicfestival.com and print out tickets.
“We are encouraging attendees to stay the weekend with us at Sandestin,” said Meisner of the event that is anticipated to draw thousands to the Village of Baytowne Wharf.
“Not only will it be a draw for Sandestin, but it is also a fantastic free event for the public,” she said.
The event is sponsored by BMI, Southwest Airlines, SunQuest Cruises, and the Village of Baytowne Wharf.
Plans are for the festival to become an annual event.
"We invite everyone to gather their families and join us for a wonderful weekend of top-shelf entertainment," said John Russell, Sandestin resort chief. "These talented artists represent the best in the industry and we are fortunate to have such an incredible line up of award-winning performers. This is the perfect way for us to cap the summer season."
