I-65 to 30a

Known as the "Alabama Astronaut" and based in Mobile, AL, Abe Partridge writes and performs his unique style of Americana music. A staple at multiple songwriting festivals each year, Partridge tours and performs extensively. I sat down with Abe during the 2024 30A Songwriters Festival at SOWAL House in Rosemary Beach, FL to discuss his music, preaching background, and his own podcast. 

When he isn't touring and writing songs, Partridge spends time painting. His various paintings hang in the private collections of Tyler Childers and Tommy Prine. His latest album, "Love In the Dark," is available through all major streaming platforms and his website. 

A Panama City Beach, FL, area native, Will Thompson has played in local and regional music venues for years. When he was 18, he sold everything to raise enough money for a recording studio. Along with his wife and band, the Will Thompson Band is one of 30A's most popular acts. Listen to our conversation and learn the story behind his latest single, 'Checklist.' 

Few of Music City's top record executives will argue that Jeffrey Steele is one of Nashville's all-time great songwriters. Yet what makes Steele so unique is that he devotes much of his time to mentoring the next generation of wordsmiths. I sat down with Jeffrey in the podcast studio at SOWAL House in Rosemary Beach, FL, during the 30A Songwriters Festival to hear his story of personal trials and successes.

A fixture of the creative scene along Florida's Emerald Coast, Jessica Plowden Anderson grew up in Los Angeles, CA. She relocated to Florida's 30a corridor in 2013 after graduating from California Lutheran University. Today Jessica pursues her creative endeavors for storytelling and videography daily through That Girl Media, working in video production, which includes producing, filming, editing, and commercial & lifestyle photography - all of which are Jess's true passions. Grab a beverage, pull up a chair, and listen to our conversation. 

SOWAL House is a creative studio and event space in Rosemary Beach, Florida. It's also where most I-65 to 30a and Southern Americana podcast episodes are recorded. Each month they host a happy hour for local creatives to socialize and interact. 

This episode features 30a area creatives, Brynley & Lukas Joyner, who run several e-commerce sites, including fitness, lifestyle, and spiritual products. You can find both on Instagram @brynandlu, @lukasjoyner, @brynley.joyner, and @hewouldlovefirst. 

Atlanta, Georgia native, Eddie 9-Volt, is creating a buzz within the Americana and Blues scene. This young artist realized his career path early and began performing on Southern stages while still in high school. In 2019, Eddie 9V released his debut album, Left My Soul In Memphis, followed by his latest project, Little Black Flies.

We caught up with Eddie 9V and his band after a Cultural Arts Alliance fundraiser in Alys Beach, FL. We recorded this podcast episode at SOWAL House, a creative arts event space and podcast studio in Rosemary Beach, FL. Grab a beverage and listen as Eddie 9V describes his early Blues influences, life on the road, and new projects ahead. Follow him on Instagram @eddie9V. 

Sugarcane Jane, comprised of Anthony Crawford and Savana Lee, recently opened for Dwight Yoakum and tour extensively across the Southeast.

Based in Loxley, Alabama, the couple first met at a recording studio in Nashville. Anthony began playing and touring with Neil Young when he was only 24. He also made his Grand Ole Opry debut at 18, performing with the legendary Roy Acuff. 

I sat down with Savana and Anthony at SOWAL House in Rosemary Beach, FL, to chat about their careers and writing songs for Steve Winwood, Kenny Rogers, Sawyer Brown, Lorrie Morgan, and many others.

Ruffled Feathers, Songs In the Key of Me, is the duos latest release.

Musicians Tori Lund and Blake English met while performing and engineering music at a Los Angeles area church.

Today, the musical duo, Few Miles South, lives in rural Georgia and performs throughout the southeast. They've opened for the Kentucky Headhunters, Nikki Lane, Junior Brown, Brent Cobb, and many others.

Blake is an incredible musician, demonstrating "Roy Nichols-style electric guitar licks" along with an excellent command of the acoustic guitar when the duo performs one of their bluegrass-style originals.

A classically trained vocalist, Tori showcases her amazing singing ability - that fall somewhere between Patsy Cline and Trisha Yearwood - on recent cuts such as "On Down the Road," Outlaw," and their recent release "Doggone."

I sat down with Tori and Blake at Black Bear Bakery in Grayton Beach, Florida, during a tour of 30a ventures in late June of 2022 to chat about their careers, living in rural Georgia with their two dogs, and life on the road.  

Grant Walden is the owner and Chief Audio Engineer of Heartell Studios in Muscle Shoals, AL. He cut his teeth learning from music's best-known sound masters and was recognized as one of Muscle Shoals' top recording engineers. He's also the creator and host of the Muscle Shoals Storytellers podcast.

Grant sat down with me in the SOWAL House studio in Rosemary Beach, FL, to chat about the Muscle Shoals music and recording scene, podcasting, and how sound engineering is evolving. Interestingly, Grant wrote and recorded the theme to the I-65 to 30a podcast and reguarly plays in and with bands around Muscle Shoals. He also edits this podcast!

Songwriters Andi Zack-Johnson and Ken Johnson are the creators behind the children's series, "Huck and Lilly."

I sat down with Andi and Ken at SOWAL House in the heart of Rosemary Beach, Florida to chat about their songwriting lives, careers, and guest starring on the I Love Kellie Pickler TV show.

An energetic, serial, and creative entrepreneur is only one way to describe Alabama native Dave King. Trained in the arts, Dave had a successful career as a cybersecurity expert in the financial services industry before relocating to Florida's Emerald Coast with his family.

After a near-death experience, Dave turned his focus to developing a creative-inspired space in the heart of Rosemary Beach, FL, for events and artistic pursuits. The result is SOWAL House. Listen as Dave describes his vision for attracting regional, national, and international creatives to the 30a area and his vision for SOWAL House. 

Louisiana native and singer-songwriter CJ Solar discusses how attending a Doobie Brothers concert as a young teenager motivated him to pursue a musical journey. 

CJ's first love is crafting songs, yet his incredible playing and singing talent takes him to new heights. During the 30A Songwriters Festival at SOWAL House in Rosemary Beach, FL, I sat down with CJ to catch up on his latest projects and opening for the iconic rock band Molly Hatchet.

I sat down with this trio of Nashville hit-makers at SOWAL House in Rosemary Beach, FL during the 30a Songwriters Festival. Memphis, TN native Joe Leathers has written several hit songs during 30A visits for Tim McGraw, Lee Brice, Trace Atkins, and others. 

Kyle Jacobs is no stranger to top-10 Country charts, penning hits for Garth Brooks, George Strait, and his lovely bride, Kellie Pickler.

Matt Wynn isn't just an accomplished songwriter, but an up and coming artist, opening for headliners Luke Combs and Brett Young. Matt even sings one of his songs during this episode. Listen as these songwriters detail the songwriting process and creating hits along Florida's Emerald Coast.

Huntsville, Alabama native Paul McDonald brings a raw and rare talent to the stage. Paul considered a dental career as a teenager, but the desire to expand his musical talent prevailed. And thankfully so.

Along with his raspy vocal talent, Paul's songwriting skills bring another dimension to his performances. After a stint in L.A. where he appeared on American Idol, he moved back to Nashville, where he resides with his singer-songwriter wife, Leah Blevins. Listen as Paul describes his musical journey and sings one of his songs, "New Lovers," during our episode.

Shanna Dickerson began her professional career promoting concerts in Nashville. After nine years of working with artists like the Rolling Stones, Kenny Chesney, Snoop Dog, and Steve Winwood, she switched careers and began managing a friend of Chesney's luxury property in St. Thomas.  

Today Shanna is the CEO and owner of Blue Sky Luxury Travels and Blue Sky Global Logistics, offering luxury accommodations and private jet service to high net worth clients. Listen as she discusses her career and what elite travelers look for in coastal destinations.