Lauderdale Live Festival 12/8/13- All photography by Kim Reed

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

The organizers of Lauder Live in sunny Florida chose an ideal spot for a "winter" festival. Held literally meters from the sparkling Fort Lauderdale River Walk, the two-day fest featured a dynamic selection of talent and 80-degree weather.

Having missed the first day, I could only listen to the name "Jillette Johnson" being mentioned over and over from her performance early in the day on Saturday. Others gushed over Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors and then Robert Randolph and the Family Band, while old and young laughed about dancing the night away to pop veteran Huey Lewis and the News.

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The Wild Feathers

 On the second sunny day of Lauderdale Live we were treated to a half dozen acts with a decided southern folk/rock bent. Opening was Holly Williams, who is first known as the granddaughter of Hank Williams SR, but newly respected as a solid singer/songwriter in her own right. After a short break (kudos to the whole crew for getting each band on and off in record time throughout the day)The Wild Feathers stormed the stage to present most of their debut album. We hardly recovered from their performance when duo Shovels & Rope appeared and gave an equally lively performance for an adoring contingent of fans. Having never seen them live, I was impressed with their material, talent and enthusiasm.

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Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires

The smiles from Shovels and Rope had hardly faded by the time former Drive By Trucker Jason Isbell and his band (featuring his new bride Amanda Shires) took over. They dipped into his new record Southeastern and made a whole new crowd of admirers, as well as satisfying those already hip to Isbell's raucous brand of southern rock. Ending the fest were veterans Indigo Girls and headliner Lyle Lovett, each sprinkling their sets with both old and new material.

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