Local Songwriters Headed To Key West Festival

Michelle Ross Stephens • April 20, 2010

Tons of Nashville tunesmiths will be headed south for The Key West Songwriters Festival, running Wed., April 28 through May 2. The 15th annual festival will offer acoustic songwriter sets at venues all over the island, featuring over 150 top songwriters. In fact, half of the songs on the current Top 10 country singles chart are represented in this year’s roster.

Better Angels Music Group is sponsoring the event which will benefit the Muzak Heart and Soul Foundation.

Among the many top-tier writers attending this year are BMI’s 2009 Songwriter of the Year Bobby Pinson, Nashville Songwriter Association Hall of Fame members Bob DiPiero, Paul Overstreet, Hugh Prestwood, tell-it-like-it-is icons Robert Earl Keen and Jamey Johnson, hitmaking heavyweight Tom Douglas (Lady Antebellum’s “I Run To You,” Tim McGraw’s “Grown Men Don’t Cry”), Taylor Swift’s go-to co-writer Liz Rose, Dallas Davidson (Billy Currington’s “That’s How Country Boys Roll,” Brooks & Dunn’s “Put a Girl in It”), Luke Laird (Carrie Underwood’s “Temporary Home,” “So Small,” “Last Name”), Chuck Cannon (Martina McBride’s “I Love the Way You Love Me,” Toby Keith’s “How Do You Like Me Now”), James Slater (McBride’s “In My Daughter’s Eyes,” Rascal Flatts’ “Unstoppable”) George Ducas (Eli Young Band’s “Always the Love Songs,” Sara Evans’ “A Real Fine Place to Start”), and too many more to list.

Respected artists like Raul Malo will appear, as will rising stars such as Randy Houser and Joey + Rory. Also on the line-up are artists Jerrod Niemann, Brett Eldredge, Adam Hood, Dave Pahanish, Bridgette Tatum, Kip Moore, Blake Wise and Thompson Square, as well as pop stars Kim Carnes, Chris Barron (Spin Doctors), and Kevin Griffin (Better Than Ezra).

Visit www.kwswf.com for details.