A LITTLE MORE LOVE

Wilson returns for another free Main Street concert

STORY BY BRITTANY SMITH & PHOTO BY CLIFF WILLIAMS

For the first time, Tallapoosa County Tourism and Main Street Alexander City will host the Lake Martin Songwriters Festival, Aug. 17 to Aug. 21. The festival will feature 17 songwriters at 10 venues over five days.

“We have so much talent coming to perform,” said Stacey Jeffcoat, director at Main Street Alexander City. “We have venues all around the lake, in Dadeville and here, in Alexander City. We are excited for the week, but a really great part of the event is that we were able to collaborate with Chad Wilson and plan another A Little Love concert to close out the festival. He even wrote a song for us.”

The A Little Love Community Concert will take place in downtown Alexander City on Aug. 21 at 6:30 p.m., concluding the first-ever songwriters festival, and is planned to be an extraordinary evening of live entertainment.

Ashley Miller’s band Dixie Red will open the evening. Dixie Red hails from East Alabama and is ready to rock, known as a party band that loves to keep the energy high.

Following this tremendous, high-energy treat is Charlie Argo Music. With songs debuting at No. 1 on blues charts across the states, Argo’s silky, smooth voice will have everyone on their feet, swaying to the music, lighters or cell phones in the air, reminiscent of the days when life was easy and gas was cheap.

Argo is a Nashville recording artist and released a six-song EP album in January of 2021 alongside some of the industry’s key players, including guitarist Joey Landreth of The Bros. Landreth and piano/organist Billy Justineau of Brothers Osborne. According to Argo's website, the project is entitled In the Name of Love and is a collection of musical stories, mostly written in Nashville by Argo, and based on the struggles and trials he faced leading up to his move to Music City.

Closing out the night and turning up the fun is hometown native Chad Wilson. He and his brother, Kyle, along with several other artists, brought the A Little Love Community Concert to Alexander City last year for the first time when they filmed the music video for a song they wrote called A Little Love, and followed up with a community concert featuring many other local artists.

The dynamic of the concert looks a little different this year; however, Wilson is still pushing the boundaries of country music forward by creating an exciting new blend that is emotionally potent and sonically appealing. Viva Lake Martin is Wilson’s newest gem. While it has been released on iTunes and made its YouTube debut, he will premier live performances of the fun-loving tribute to Lake Martin on the stage in downtown Alexander City during the A Little Love Community Concert.

“Last year, we had people from all over who came in for the concert,” Jeffcoat said. “I am excited to see what the turnout is this year. We have such great talent.”

Jeffcoat urged concert goers to bring chairs, blankets, family, friends and even the family pet, but make sure to prepare for a night of excitement, as these artists perform a few oldies but goodies and introduce their newest material to the crowd.

Bring a picnic and a cooler, or stop by a downtown restaurant or bar for a bite to eat and drinks before the magic Show the love Chad Wilson will headline begins on Main Street. Visit tallapoosacountytourism.com for more information about the Lake Martin Songwriters the A Little Love Festival. Community Concert.