Callaway Gardens’ inaugural Harvest Moon Festival is a little different from your typical music festival.
First, there’s the food offerings, all locally grown and freshly prepared. Then there’s the cooking and gardening demonstrations, and the farmer’s market. And most importantly, the music lineup, which includes newer artists like Mat Kearney and Parachute, as well as 90’s favorites the Gin Blossoms.
Festival producer Craige Hoover said organizers wanted to put together an event for music fans in their 30s and 40s who had outgrown barefoot and muddy music festivals.
“We wanted to bring bands for the right audience,” he said. They eschewed highly electronic pop artists, and pursued bands that played music with an Americana feel.
The music begins tonight, at the Harvest Feast, with performances from two singer/songwriters -- Joe Purdy and Nic Cowan.
“It’s a super cool event,” Hoover said. “I’m really looking forward to that.”
Hoover said he was also impressed with the number of prominent musicians from the early 90’s on the festival lineup. The Gin Blossoms, The B-52’s, Shawn Colvin and John Hiatt are all scheduled to perform.
“It’s an early ’90’s all-star team. That wasn’t intentional, but it really works,” he said.
Festival organizers also paid special attention to having quality food offerings, Hoover said.
Rather than pizza and nachos, festival-goers can shop at a farmer’s market or feast on offerings in the pop-up kitchens, like cranberry-marinated grilled chicken breast or vegetarian sliders with grilled portobello mushrooms.
“It’s about connecting them with nature,” he said.
Worried about missing the big game? Don’t fear. SEC and ACC football games will be shown on four big screens on Saturday.
For the kids, there will be a climate-controlled play area with toys, crafts and games, in addition to two playgrounds on the festival grounds.
MUSIC LINEUP
Thursday, October 6
7:15 p.m., Nic Cowan: This native Texan and transplanted Atlantan mixes Southern rock, country, soul and R&B in his music. But he really sees himself as a songwriter. “The second I learned how to play guitar, the moment I learned three chords, I started writing. The writing aspect of it was what I really got into. I decided I wanted to be a songwriter. And that’s still how I see myself.”
8:30 p.m. Joe Purdy: This celebrated singer/songwriter is known for his ability to captivate an audience with his crystal-clear voice and acoustic guitar.
Friday, October 7
Main Stage:
5 p.m. Francisco Vidal: Francisco Vidal has been active in the music scene in Atlanta for more than 20 years and has opened for Lynrd Skynyrd, Edwin McCain, Sister Hazel, Kenny Loggins, Hall and Oates and John Mayer.
6 p.m. Allgood: This band has recently reunited after a 15-year absence from performing, and has since headlined the BRAGG Jam Festival in Macon, Ga.
7:30 p.m. Parachute: This group of former high school classmates mix rock with soul, vintage R&B and melodic pop radio anthems and are known for the songs, “She is Love” and “Something to Believe In.”
9:15 p.m. The B-52’s: Known as “The World’s Greatest Party Band,” the B-52’s have been playing music for 30 years and are famous for hits such as “Rock Lobster,” “Roam” and “Love Shack.”
Festival Tent:
5:15 p.m. Zaib Kahn: This up and coming artist from Marietta grew up listening to wide variety of Middle Eastern and Asian music, as well as Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton and James Taylor.
6:30 p.m. Dread Clampitt: This Florida band combines bluegrass, rock n’ roll, blues, jazz and some bayou funk and are known for their clever and heartfelt lyrics.
8:15 p.m. Shawn Colvin: This singer-songwriter has won three Grammys over 19 years, including two wins for her 90’s radio hit, “Sunny Came Home.” Her songs have been featured on the soundtracks for “Armageddon” and “Runaway Bride.”
Saturday, October 8
Main Stage:
11:30 a.m. Derek T. Givans: Givans began playing the drums when he was 13 and has played in a lot of bands since. His musical influences have grown into a wide range through the years, including funk, jazz, reggae, folk, bluegrass and classic rock.
1 p.m. Ed Roland and the Sweet Tea Project: Atlanta native Ed Roland has been the front man of Collective Soul for more than two decades. The Sweet Tea Project is his solo endeavor and features piano-driven ballads, country arrangements and even some reggae.
2:30 p.m. Company of Thieves: This indie rock group hails from Chicago and is known for their articulate songwriting and alt-rock sound.
4:15 p.m. Mat Kearney: Kearney’s known for songs “Undeniable” and “All I Need,” -- a song detailing eyewitness accounts of Hurricane Katrina. His acoustic tunes have appeared on Grey’s Anatomy, One Tree Hill and Friday Night Lights.
6 p.m. Big Head Todd and the Monsters: This band is known for it’s early 90’s Top 10 singles “Bittersweet,” “Broken Hearted Savior” and “Circle.”
7:45 p.m. John Hiatt and the Combo: Hiatt’s career as a performer and songwriter has spanned more than 30 years and his work has been covered by Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, BB King and Bonnie Raitt. In 2008, his was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
9:30 p.m. Gin Blossoms: This band is famous for the mega-hits “Hey Jealousy” and “Found Out About You.” Their latest album, “No Chocolate Cake,” was released in September 2010.
Festival Tent:
12 p.m. Martha’s Trouble: The Auburn, Ala, folk/pop duo met 15 years ago, married and have since self-released ten albums.
1:30 p.m. Stevie Monce: Monce has shared a stage with artists like Gavin DeGraw, Tonic, Shawn Mullins and Augustana. His debut rock release was called “The Broadcast.”
2:45 p.m. Already Taken: This band -- whose name alludes to the idea that every possible band name seemed to be already taken -- consists of two sets of siblings and a good friend who range in age from 11 to 15. The sound is a blend of eclectic musical influences including the B-52’s.
4:30 p.m. Classic Addict: Columbus-based Classic Addict channels the energy of engaging bar-room stomps into a wide variety of musical stylings.
6:15 p.m. David Ryan Harris: Harris combines haunting melodies with storytelling in his songwriting and is said to have a voice that sounds somewhere between Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway. He has written, played or produced with acts like Widespread Panic, Carlos Santana and John Mayer.
8 p.m. Infantree: This group’s live performance involves alternating lead vocal duties, with various band members shifting between dozens of instruments. The band has played more than 200 shows.
9:45 p.m. Shawn Mullins: This Grammy-nominated singer/songerwriter is probably most famous for his 1999 hit, “Lullaby,” but he’s also collaborated with the Zac Brown Band and released 11 studio albums.
Not interested in the music? Twelve ACC and SEC college football games will be shown on four big screens at the festival. Here are the games that will be televised:
SEC: Vanderbilt at Alabama, Auburn at Arkansas, Florida at LSU, Mississippi Univeristy at UAB, Georgia at Tennessee, Kentucky at South Carolina
ACC: Boston College at Clemson, Florida State at Wake Forest, Maryland at Georgia Tech, Miami at Virginia Tech, Louisville at North Carolina, Central Michigan at NC State
