SALT WATER MUSIC FEST FEATURING 6 SINGER/SONGWRITERS, OCTOBER 12-14 Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Macy Gray Performs Live, Thursday, Oct. 12 LOCASH Headlines Nashville Singer/Songwriter Showcase, Friday, Oct. 13 Singer/Songwriter Brunch at Soleil, Saturday, Oct. 14

The first ever Salt Water Music Fest, presented by Salt Water Vacations and Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, brings Destin music lovers a sensational three-day music showcase celebration to raise funds and awareness for MKAF — Destin’s champion of the cultural arts for all.

The two-day music festival is Thursday, Oct. 12, and Friday, Oct. 13 at MKAF’s Dugas Pavilion in Destin with a singer/songwriter brunch to follow on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Soleil in Destin.

Grammy-winning R&B soul singer Macy Gray headlines the inaugural Salt Water Music Festival on Thursday, Oct. 12. Best known for her international hit single I Try taken from her multi-platinum debut album On How Life Is, the raspy-voiced singer has released 10 studio albums. In addition to receiving a Grammy Award for Record of the Year (2001) for I Try, she was nominated four additional times. Joining this captivating, eclectic R&B talent on stage is her band, The California Jet Club performing hot tracks from her newest album, The Reset.

The event will also feature an evening of six of Nashville’s hottest singer/songwriters including Josh Mirenda known for top hits such as Somewhere on a Beach recorded by Dierks Bentley, Girl Like You and They Don’t Know by Jason Aldean.

Before Ben Burgess released his solo album Tears the Size of Texas, this Dallas native gained attention for Whiskey Glasses recorded by Morgan Wallen and Flower Shops by Ernest.

Originally from Maryland, Jared Mullins has had multiple songs recorded by artists such as Jake Owens, Justine Moore, Parmalee, Dylan Scott, and more. He has garnered over 50 holds including Chris Young, Thomas Rhett, Darius Rucker, Lee Brice, Michael Ray, and many others. Some of his singles including Good Company by Jake Owen and Roots by Parmalee have been showcased on the top radio stations.

Jordan Minton of Louisville, KY has penned several widespread country music favorites from Keith Urban’s Steal My Thunder and Same Heart to Dan and Shay’s What Keeps You Up at Night, along with Abby Anderson’s Good Lord and Mitchell Tenpenny’s Telling All My Secrets.

Originally from St. Louis, Jordan Reynolds has quickly made a name for himself in Nashville with his fusion of classic country and soulful pop. His songs have been cut by Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Brett Eldredge, Laura Alaina, Thoms Rhett, and others. For Day + Shay his No. 1 hits include Tequila, Speechless, All To Myself and 10,000 Hours (a worldwide hit featuring Justin Bieber.)

Country music duo LOCASH will headline Friday night’s lineup. Formed in 2008, this American country music duo consists of vocalists Chris Lucas and Preston Brust. They have released three studio albums, one each for Average Joe Entertainment, Reviver Records, and Wheelhouse Records. The duo has charted three songs on the Billboard Hot Country Songs and 13 songs on the Country Airplay chart. Their single I Know Somebody topped the Billboard Country Airplay chart. In addition to their own material, the members of LOCASH co-wrote Keith Urban’s number-one single You Gonna Fly and Tim McGraw’s Truck Yeah.

The event will include multiple food trucks, beverage bars, merchandise retail sales as well as artist meet & greets (for some ticket levels).

Capping the event is the Singer/Songwriter Brunch on Saturday, Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Soleil in Destin. In addition to enjoying delicious food and Gulf views, music lovers can meet and greet singer/songwriters Josh Mirenda and Gary Garris. Tickets are $125 per person.

Advance tickets are priced from $50 per person. General admission lawn seating and table seating will be available for individuals. Full tables (seating eight) are available starting from $750. VIP Tables are from $1,500 and include prime seating, VIP tent access (featuring light bites prepared by top chefs from area restaurants including Henderson Beach Resort, Soleil, and more, onsite VIP perks, parking passes, and more.

Tickets for the Salt Water Music Festival will be available for purchase online at MKAF.org. Proceeds from all MKAF events benefit MKAF and its community education initiative, ArtsReach including the groundbreaking arts therapy program, Warrior Arts, Arts for All Abilities, and arts education throughout Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay Counties.

MKAF is mission-driven and membership-based. Members receive exclusive preview ticket sales to the Salt Water Music Festival, discounts on Festival of the Arts merchandise, and a 10 percent discount on select events including the 11th Annual Wine Walkabout. Sign up now and enjoy early access and free admission to all 10 Mattie Kelly Concerts in the spring.

To make a tax-deductible donation, provide a corporate sponsorship, or register for MKAF membership, visit MKAF.org or call (850) 650-2226.

ABOUT MATTIE KELLY ARTS FOUNDATION

Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF), a non-profit arts organization with a mission to champion arts and culture for all. Since its inception in 1995, MKAF has inspired more than 400,000 children in more than 100 schools and partner agencies. Through its community education initiative ArtsReach, programming serves K-12 students, at-risk youth, people with disabilities, and the military population with visible and invisible injuries. As a presenting organization, MKAF’s Concerts series showcases the Southeast United States’ most vibrant performing artists and bands to more than 15,000 patrons each spring. More than 100 artists convene in Destin each fall for the Festival of the Arts — one the preeminent arts festivals along the Gulf coast. MKAF has long partnered with multiple regional non-profits and school districts in the communities that it serves to ensure access to the arts for all.

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