Matt Collins, Jacksonville, Fla. based singer, songwriter and recording artist, will be performing at the first annual 30A Songwriter’s Festival in Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. alongside some of the nation’s most respected and beloved songwriter’s. 

Jacksonville, Fla. – January 8, 2010 – Matt Collins, independent recording artist based in Jacksonville, Fla., has recently been chosen to perform at the first annual 30A Songwriter’s Festival in Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.  

An internationally prominent line up of singer-songwriters together with the best local writers and a select group of new artists will converge in south Walton County on Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend (January 15-17) for the inaugural 30A Songwriters Festival. All of the artists will perform in venues up and down Scenic Highway 30A in Northwest Florida on the Gulf of Mexico. 

Along with MATT COLLINS, some of the performers scheduled to perform include: EMILY SALIERS of the Indigo Girls (Closer To Fine, Galileo, Least Complicated) and AMY RAY of the Indigo Girls (“Kid Fears,” “Joking,” “Shame On You”), JEFFREY STEELE (“When the Lights Go Down” – Faith Hill; “What Hurts the Most”, “These Days” – Rascal Flatts; “The Cowboy in Me” – Tim Mc Graw); SHAWN MULLINS (“Lullaby”, “Beautiful Wreck”); RODNEY CROWELL (“After All Of This Time”, Produced “Seven Year Ache” for Rosanne Cash); GARY LOURIS of the Jayhawks (“Blue”, “Save It For A Rainy Day”, “Everybody Knows” – Dixie Chicks); SAM BUSH (“Circles Around Me”, New Grass Revival founder); CHELY WRIGHT (“Shut Up and Drive, “Single White Female”) and many, many more. 

Matt Collins is scheduled to perform on Saturday, January 16^th at 6pm at Fish Out of Water.  All sets will be performed “In the round.”  Matt will share the stage with Blake Guthrie and Bob Corley, followed by Pete Sallis, Chas Sandford, Brian White, Rodney Crowell and Chely Wright.  The entire schedule for the festival can be found on http://www.30asongwritersfestival.com/misc/30A_Songwriters_Festival_2010_Schedule-Venues_01-06-10.pdf 

Matt will be performing songs from his debut album “Short and Sweet,” which can be found on all major music download sites such as iTunes, Napster and Rhapsody, as well as his website, http://www.MattCollinsOnline.com.  Matt’s music is also enjoying success on several popular internet radio stations found on Jango.com. (http://www.jango.com/music/Matt+Collins) 

For more information on Matt Collins, please visit http://www.MattCollinsOnline.comFor more information on the 30A Songwriter’s Festival, please visit http://www.30asongwritersfestival.com 

About Matt Collins:

Matt Collins is the epitome of the “do-it-yourself” musician.  Matt is a self-taught guitarist, singer and songwriter, and a successful independent recording artist.  Matt began writing and playing music professionally while attending the University of Florida.  For over 10 years, Matt was the lead singer and guitarist for nationally accomplished Independent Pop/Rock band Longwood (later named The Treatment.)

Matt enjoyed numerous accolades and successes with this band including winning an international songwriting competition in 2004, 2 nationally released albums, “Top 20 Most Played” on XM Unsigned Radio, showcases for major record labels, Gator Growl performance at the University of Florida for over 60,000 people, and several national brand endorsements.

More recently, Matt has had music featured on the hit TV shows “The Ghost Whisperer” on CBS, “Whistler” on CTV, and “Lincoln Heights” on ABC Family.  Matt’s music has also been featured in a national ad campaign for MTV’s Road Rules and Jeep Automobiles, as well as a promotion for “Clean & Clear” in the United Kingdom.

In 2007, Matt released his debut album “Short & Sweet” to great reviews and in 2009, released a side project with his brother Bo, called “The Collins Brothers.”  Matt has also begun work on his second full-length studio release.  Matt’s music is available on iTunes, as well as most major music download websites.

Fans of Matt’s are drawn to his powerful, soulful vocal style coupled with a rare ability to write insightful, sometimes witty, lyrics with infectious melodies.   Matt is the epitome of the “do-it-yourself” musician by taking control of his career and has found a way to find success in an increasingly crowded marketplace.  Matt finances his own recordings, marketing and merchandise, and continues to build a rapidly growing fan base with only the power of his music and forward-thinking marketing practices.

To hear streaming audio of Matt Collins’ debut album, and for up-to-date news, visit Matt’s website at http://www.MattCollinsOnline.com