BMI Holds 28th Annual Key West Songwriters Festival [See Photos]

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BMI songwriters Palmer Anthony, Clayton Mullen and Hayley Payne entertain listeners at the Ocean’s Edge Resort at the Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Publishers and songwriters are returning back to Nashville after a week in the sun for the 28th annual Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. The five-day festival featured over 250 multi-genre creators perform their favorite hits at 50 different venues on the island, provided by Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association and Rams Head Presents.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Mason Hunter, BMI’s President & CEO Mike O’Neill, Cole Swindell, BMI’s Clay Bradley and BMI’s Leslie Roberts gather before the Coffee Butler Amphitheater show at the Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

BMI songwriters arrived at the Nashville airport on Wednesday morning (May 1) where they were greeted with the “Lift Off to the Kickoff” event in Delta’s sky club. The festival officially commenced with the “Sunset Pier Kick Off Party” hosted by Storme Warren, where Kristen McNamara, the Heartwreckers and headliner Dylan Marlowe took the stage.

Then festival attendees were off the rounds, hearing music from songwriters such as Tim Nichols, Jeffrey Steele, Jacob Hackworth, Shane Profitt, Jack Ingram, Bridgette Tatum, Guthrie Trapp and more.

On Thursday (May 2), rounds featured songwriters such as Renee Blair, Cameron Bedell, Dax, Jeff Garrison, Liz Rose, Joe Fox, Fancy Hagood and many more. That night, a sold-out crowd gathered at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater for Mackenzie Carpenter, Restless Road and headliner Cole Swindell.

Lily Rose brings the crowd to the Duval Street Show at the Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Friday (May 3) brought rounds featuring songwriters Ben Chapman, Lori McKenna, Meg McRee, Brad Rempel, Laci Kaye Booth, Harper Grace and more.

On Saturday (May 4), after the “Bloody Mary Bash” with Robert Earl Keen or yoga with Emma Klein, the Key West Woman’s Club hosted hourly rounds at the Hellings Curry Museum with Rebecca Lynn Howard, Megan Linville, Twinnie and Emma Zinck. Then the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association and the Texas Music Office presented the Texas Showcase at the San Carlos Institute hosted by Ingram and Rose. To end the night, festival-goers flocked to Duval Street to catch Kaleb Sanders, Lily Rose and Dallas Davidson for the free street show.

Sunday (May 5), the last day of the festival, launched with the inaugural “Sunday Songs: Music & Mimosas” at Williams Hall where Chuck Cannon, Elisha Hoffman, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Tommy Sims and BMI’s Shannon Sanders performed renowned gospel songs. The night concluded with the “All Star Encore” at the Key West Theater featuring David Fanning, Earl Bud Lee, Danny Myrick, Taylor Phillips, Alana Springsteen, Shawna Thompson and more.

Proceeds from the Key West Songwriters Festival benefit the BMI Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 1985 that supports music education and creation through various grants and scholarships, along with Michelle’s Foundation, a Key West-based nonprofit that helps children and families in need. The event also benefits CreatiVets.

Liz Rose plays crowd-favorite songs and invites BMI songwriters to join her on stage at Blue Heaven showcase during the Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

BMI songwriters Harper Lee, Sheena Brook and Sonia Leigh perform an intimate set at the La Te Da Cabaret during the Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Festival-goers gather at Williams Hall for Sunday songs showcase with Tommy Sims, Elisha Hoffman, Rebecca Lynn Howard, and Chuck Cannon, hosted by BMI’s Shannon Sanders at the Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Dallas Davidson headlines the Duval Street Show at the Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Bruce Esworthy, Mason Hunter, Mike O’Neill, Leslie Roberts, Clay Bradley, Mitch Ballard, Nina Carter, Shannon Sanders, Liz Fischer, MaryAnn Keen and Dan Spears celebrate the kickoff to the Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Tommy Sims and Chuck Cannon play for a packed house at the Key West Theater during the Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

BMI songwriters Cameron Bedell, Alee, and Fancy Hagood perform in a round sponsored by White Claw at the Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Jaxson Free, Schmitty and Thomas Edwards debut new songs for the crowd at the Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Jackson Nance and Jeff Garrison kick off the day at Rams Head Southernmost during the Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

LB Cantrell
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