FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2019
Opelika Songwriters Festival announces inaugural event in Alabama
Over 30 singer-songwriters to entertain music fans over Memorial Day Weekend
The Opelika Songwriters Festival, a new annual event based in Opelika, Alabama, will entertain music fans at its inaugural celebration over Memorial Day Weekend (May 24-26, 2019) at multiple venues in the town’s historic downtown. Rob and Jen Slocumb, a.k.a. Martha’s Trouble (a husband-and-wife folk/rock duo and owners of Opelika recording studio/event center The Sound Wall) are bringing the new festival to life. The Opelika Songwriters Festival is a co-production of The Sound Wall and The Arts Association of East Alabama. Confirmed sponsors include the City of Opelika, Auburn Opelika Tourism, and Sundilla Concert Series, and proceeds from the festival go to benefit The Arts Association of East Alabama. Attendees from across the Southeast and further afield are expected to gather for this very special event.
More than 30 singer-songwriters will make up the roster of performers, from local acts to internationally touring artists, including Grammy Award-winner Dan Navarro, Kate Campbell, Harpeth Rising, and many more. (See list of confirmed artists below; more to be announced soon.) The festival will take place in Downtown Opelika at more than nine venues, including John Emerald Distillery, Sneak & Dawdle, Irish Bred Pub, Eighth & Rail, Ma Fia’s Outdoor Patio, The Depot Outdoor Stage, Zazu Gastro Pub, and Studio 319 – Festival Merch Hub.
“We expect the Opelika Songwriters Festival to be a destination event for fans of singer-songwriters,” says co-founder Rob Slocumb. “We can’t wait to showcase this amazing array of talent and to shine a light on our wonderful hometown of Opelika,” says co-founder Jen Slocumb. Even the town’s mayor, Gary Fuller, is excited about music gathering, saying, “It sounds like another big event for Historic Downtown Opelika!”
Tickets are available now: https://www.freshtix.com/events/opelika-songwriters-festival.
Confirmed artists (more to be announced soon):
Dan Navarro
Kate Campbell
Harpeth Rising
Martha’s Trouble
Kim Richey
David Jacobs-Strain & Bob Beach
Jack Barksdale
Ryanhood
Jeff Black
Jordana Greenberg (solo)
Kipyn Martin
Noah Zacharin
Rock Killough
Korby Lenker
Pat Wictor
Chris Rosser
Grayson Capps
Cliff Eberhardt
Louise Mosrie
Dave Potts
Ted McVay
Mutt Cooper
www.opelikasongwritersfestival.com
About Martha’s Trouble:
Martha’s Trouble (husband-and-wife duo Rob and Jen Slocumb), called “a hidden gem” by Billboard Magazine, is known for its signature sound of folk and Americana, which has been praised by some of the most influential and well-respected music critics of our time. Martha’s Trouble has been listed and featured in the aforementioned Billboard Magazine, as well as USA Today, AOL Music, Sirius XM Satellite Radio, and Performing Songwriter. Their songs have received awards and have been featured in the show “Army Wives” and made-for-TV movies on Lifetime and CBS. The duo’s band name comes from a Bible story about Martha and Mary, one that they say is a reminder to stop and smell the roses and to keep an eye on the bigger picture and the important things in life. In late 2015, Martha’s Trouble offered some new additions to their holiday repertoire with two digital singles, “River” and “White Christmas,” which followed on the success of two independent holiday albums, Christmas Lights (2002) and This Christmas (2008). Prior to that, they also released: Jen Coates’ Seed Sessions (2014), A Little Heart Like You (2012), Anchor Tattoo (2011), EP (2008), Forget October (2006), Still (2003), Sleeping Dogs (2002), and The Road Ahead (2000).
www.marthastrouble.com
www.facebook.com/marthastrouble
@marthastrouble
About The Sound Wall:
In 2016, Martha’s Trouble purchased an historical Victorian house, originally built in 1907, in downtown Opelika, Alabama, and they rehabbed the abode into a creative studio space over the course of a year, opening the doors to the public in March of 2017. Since that time, the studio has hosted recording sessions, a monthly supper club, special events, and acoustic concerts, and has been featured in Alabama Magazine. Located at 605 Avenue B in Opelika, The Sound Wall entices artists from near and far who are seeking a small-town recording experience in a premiere space, and it has become very special addition to the already existing and expanding arts community in town.
www.thesoundwallopelika.com