The Valentine Tour of Homes that just took place on February 13 doesn't happen just so we can all have a chance to visit some of south Walton's most gorgeous homes. It is also an important annual fundraiser for the Cultural Arts Association's Educational Giving Program, which provides crucial grants and scholarships to need-based elementary through high school students and Walton County teachers. This program was implemented many years ago by former CAA President Jack Abbit and the CAA Board of Directors. Since then, the CAA has given away hundreds of thousands of dollars to supplement public school arts programs and allow underserved and need-based students an opportunity to study outside of their classroom with professional artists.

I wanted to share with you all a letter that was written to the Cultural Arts Association last week by one of the teachers who recently received funding from the Educational Giving Program.

"Feb. 2010

Dear Cultural Arts Association,

I want to thank you again for awarding me the Fall grant. I asked for art supplies, and we have had a blast exploring with them all. The picture frames are hanging on the wall displaying the children's beautiful art work. The children love using the stamps and ink pads, and they are learning their numbers and shapes also while doing this. This is an easy way to have fun and learn at the same time. Every time my class sees a big box come in the room, they...

Okay, I might be a bit partial to him because we share a last name, but if by some chance you don't know about Jeffrey Steele already, you are sure to be impressed by his incredible bio and most certainly by his songwriting, vocals and guitar skills when you HEAR him at the 30A Songwriters Festival next month.

Jeffrey has been called "the king of country music," "the James Brown of country music," "the Cole Porter of country music" and " the hardest working man in country music," and is arguably the most successful songwriter in Nashville.

Jeffrey has over 80 top 10, 5, 2 and #1 songs combined, most recently in 2009 for Rascal Flatts' "Here," which was at #1 for two weeks!

Jeffrey has had over 500 songs cut in and eight-year period by over 100 artists with 95 singles released off more than 75 gold and platinum records with over 50 million records sold! His songs have enjoyed over 35,000,000 airplays on radio and television.

This is the list of Jeffrey's hits that have made some of these singers major country music stars:

“I Thought I Lost You” - Miley Cyrus/John Travolta (BOLT)
“Simple Song” - Miley Cyrus
“Somebody” - Billy Ray Cyrus
“What Hurts The Most” - Cascada (UK Artist)
“I Got You Country Right Here” - Gretchen Wilson
“Flyin’ By” - Billy Ray Cyrus
“My Whiskey Years” - Joe Nichols
“Love Won’t Let Me” - Jason Michael...

In anticipation of the inaugural 30A Songwriters Festival coming January 15-17, I will spotlight many of the artists who will be performing throughout the Festival.

Today's spotlight is on...

SHAWN MULLINS

I had the opportunity to hear Shawn live for the first time in Atlanta in August at one of my favorite music venues, Eddie's Attic. He was extremely kind and told me he was excited to be a part of this Festival.

Shawn is most famous for his super hit, "Lullaby." Here is a clip from You Tube I just found of Shawn's performance...


...at Eddie's the night I was there. He talks about the story behind the song and his inspiration for his songs, which are real people.

One of my favorite songs by Shawn is "Gulf of Mexico," which I heard he wrote at another festival just a few hours from here, the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival.

"...then I hear a voice from
my soul's core sayin "freedom's just a
metaphor, you got nowhere to go"
and the rain pours down like a
holy waterfall over the gulf of mexico
over the gulf of mexico." - lyrics from "Gulf of Mexico"

You can hear "Gulf of Mexico" on 30A Radio.org or on the dial at 107.1. You can also hear a live interview with Shawn in which he talks about...

It appears that some of the gorgeous Monarch butterflies want to stick around for the great weather this weekend!

Or perhaps they want to stay for the CAA's Flutterby Festival that will take place in their honor both Saturday and Sunday in WaterColor's Marina Park, along with a fabulous Fall & Winter Market.

This event originated seventeen years ago as a fundraiser for Walton County children to receive scholarships for supplemental arts education. It also celebrates the migration of the Monarch through our region.

Kids can enjoy yoga, puppet shows, storytelling, puppet making, butterfly garden tours, butterfly wing making, hula hoops, trail hikes, face painting, animal encounters, fun music and more while their parents shop in the cool artist market and partake of seasonal food and libations!

Flutterby is free and open to the public. Some activities require a small fee, though.

We will be featuring Sophia Blair, a 3rd grader at Butler Elementary School, whose yoga butterfly artwork was chosen as the 2010 Flutterby poster/t-shirt winner! Sophia will receive a $100 savings bond from Wachovia.

Two runners up will receive a $50 savings bond, and six students will also receive the same, along with the distinguished People's Choice Award.

All winners will be announced the Saturday of the Flutterby Festival.

T-shirts will be for sale for $15 and wings for $5....

On behalf of the CAA, Seaside Rep and Sinfonia, I'm extending a huge thanks to the many volunteers who worked so hard to make the Beaux Arts Ball & Artist Market happen!

Thanks also to Grand Boulevard and their amazing merchants - P.F. Chang's, Mitchell's Fish Market, Tommy Bahama's, Cantina Laredo and Emerald Coast Coffee for providing a beautiful venue and fabulous food.

Thanks to the artists who participated in the Artist Market on Saturday and donated their artwork for the cause.

And thanks to those who attended the Ball & Artist Market; your ongoing support is crucial to the health and longevity of the arts in Walton County, and we appreciate you!!!