29th Annual Key West Songwriters Festival Showcases Over 250 BMI Creators Across 50 Stages [See Photos]

/by

Liz Rose & Friends bring The Bluebird Café to Blue Heaven in Key West with special appearance from Lee Thomas Miller. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

The 29th annual Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI, brought five days of music, sunshine and storytelling to the island last week (April 30 – May 4), drawing song lovers from around the country to experience performances from more than 250 BMI multi-genre creators.

With support from the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association and Rams Head Presents, the sprawling event featured both free and ticketed shows across 50 stages—from hotel rooftops and beachside patios to beloved Key West bars—spotlighting everyone from veteran hitmakers to up-and-coming stars.

LoCash shuts down Duval Street with a packed crowd during the 29th annual Key West Songwriters Festival. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

BMI songwriters kicked off their journey with a “Lift Off to the Kickoff” celebration in Delta’s Sky Club at BNA, as Delta Air Lines returned as the festival’s official airline. That evening, festivities officially began at the Ocean Key Resort & Spa with the “Sunset Pier Kick Off Party,” hosted by Storme Warren and featuring sets by DJ Smoke, Gable Bradley, Brian Fuller and an all-star band made up of Dylan Altman, Robert Randolph and Guthrie Trapp. Additional performances that night from Jordan Dozzi, Kylie Frey, Claudia Hoyser, Jenna LaMaster, Matt McKinney, Delaney Ramsdell, The Kentucky Gentlemen, Grace Tyler and Heath Warren packed local venues like Salty Frog’s, Island Dogs and The Alamo.

Thursday (May 1) brought rounds at the Southernmost Beach Resort, La Concha and the Marquesa Hotel, with performances from BMI affiliates including Sam Blasko, Parker Daniel, Raul Malo, Mia Mantia, Jake Mitchell, Blake Pendergrass, Becca Rae and Adam Sanders. One of the day’s highlights was the return of “Liz Rose & Friends” to Blue Heaven, with Rose sharing the stage with Johnny Clawson, Cassidy Daniels, Lauren McLamb, Lee Thomas Miller, Heath Warren and others. At the Coffee Butler Amphitheater, fans took in sets from Chase Matthew and Nate Smith, before heading to The Backyard Bar for the “HD Radio Late Night Hang” featuring The Band Loula and The Brummies.

The party continued Friday (May 2) at Rams Head Southernmost Bar & Restaurant, the event’s home base, with rounds throughout the day as part of the “Lewis Brisbois Presents: Hometown Pub Takeover.” Performers included Cole Goodwin, Joey Hyde, Brooke Lee, Matt Morrisey, Lenny Pey and Rob Ragosta. Elsewhere around town, festivalgoers attended “Coffee, Concert and Conversation” with Jeffrey Steele and saw acts like Lewis Brice, Bob DiPiero, Alison Nichols, Schmitty and Craig Wiseman at iconic venues including the Curry Mansion, Sloppy Joe’s and Schooner Wharf Bar. That evening, the Key West Theater hosted a sold-out show presented by The Texas Heritage Songwriters Association, with Palmer Anthony, Abbey Cabler, Matt Castillo, David Lee, Bobby Pinson, Morgan Lee Powers and Liz Rose taking the stage.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Lilly Brown, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, BMI’s Jackson Kiger, BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, BMI’s Kelsey O’Neill, BMI’s Josh Tomlinson, BMI’s Dan Spears and BMI’s Shannon Sanders gather at the kickoff party at the 29th annual Key West Songwriters Festival. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

On Saturday (May 3), the Key West Woman’s Club returned for a second year with hourly songwriter rounds at the Hellings Curry Museum. Featured performers included Gloria Anderson, Sheena Brooke, Allie Colleen, Danielle Johnson and Bridgette Tatum. Later that night, crowds filled Duval Street for a free outdoor show from Thomas Edwards and headliners LoCash. Simultaneously, the San Carlos Institute welcomed a stacked lineup of veteran writers including Marti Frederiksen, Elisha Hoffman, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Tommy Sims and James Slater.

The festival closed out Sunday (May 4) with “Sunday Songs: Music & Mimosas” at Williams Hall, where Ronnie Bowman, Chuck Cannon, Elisha Hoffman, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Tommy Sims, Robert Randolph, The Band Loula and BMI’s Shannon Sanders performed beloved gospel songs. That evening, the “All Star Encore” at the Key West Theater brought the celebration to a close with appearances from Ronnie Bowman, Adam Craig, Jet Harvey, Paul Jenkins, Jay Knowles, Jim McCormick and Aaron Raitiere.

Proceeds from the festival benefit Michelle’s Foundation, a Key West-based nonprofit supporting children and families in need. Additional funds support CreatiVets, which helps U.S. military veterans process trauma through music and the arts.

Sponsors for the 29th annual Key West Songwriters Festival include Delta Air Lines, Gallagher, HD Radio and Texas Roadhouse.

Guthrie Trapp, Dylan Altman and Robert Randolph kick off the 29th annual Key West Songwriters Festival on the Sunset Pier. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Raul Malo performs poolside at the Marquesa Hotel during the Key West Songwriters Festival. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Jackson Kiger, BMI’s Mitch Ballard, BMI’s Josh Tomlinson, BMI’s Clay Bradley, LoCash, BMI’s Kelsey O’Neill, BMI’s Nina Carter and BMI’s Lilly Brown pose backstage at the Duval Street show during the 29th annual Key West Songwriters Festival. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Allie Colleen, Sheena Brooke and Bridgette Tatum takeover the Key West Women’s Club during the Key West Songwriters Festival. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Pictured (L-R): Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Association’s Joe Ables, Matt Castillo, Palmer Anthony, BMI’s Mason Hunter, David Lee, Abbey Cabler, Morgan Lee Powers and BMI’s Mitch Ballard pose on stage at the Key West Songwriters Festival ahead of the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association Show. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Ronnie Bowman, Rebecca Lynn Howard, The Band Loula, BMI’s Shannon Sanders, Chuck Cannon and Tommy Sims gather to perform during SUNDAY SONGS! Music & Mimosas at Williams Hall during the Key West Songwriters Festival. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

LB Cantrell
Latest posts by LB Cantrell (see all)