Key West Songwriters Festival Unveils Lineup For Landmark 30th Anniversary

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The annual Key West Songwriters Festival presented by BMI has revealed the lineup for its landmark 30th anniversary, set for April 29-May 3.

The Key West Theater will feature songwriters like Ashley Cooke, Hardy, Brian Kelley, Chuck Mead, Rissi Palmer, Bruce Robison, Robert Randolph and more. Additional songwriters will continue to be revealed, and schedules will be made available in March at keywestsongwritersfestival.com.

The festival will launch with the official “Sunset Pier Kick Off Party” at the Ocean Key Resort & Spa on April 29 featuring Jeffrey Steele and The Brummies. On May 2, Ernest will host the annual free and open-to-the-public block party at Main Stage on Duval Street. “Sunday Songs: Music & Mimosas” will return to Williams Hall on May 3, while Rams Head Southernmost Bar & Restaurant will serve as the event’s headquarters.

BMI songwriters who have become fundamental to the event’s success will return this year including Bob DiPiero (1997) and Jeffrey Steele (1998), who helped establish the must-attend event alongside founder, Charlie Bauer. They are joined by perennial local favorites Chuck Cannon and Tia Sillers, who solidified their status in 2000, alongside Wendell Mobley (2004) and James Slater, the latter of whom celebrates a streak of consecutive performances since 2004.

The festival’s deep-rooted history continues with the return of Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman (2005), as well as Danny Myrick and Bobby Pinson, both of whom have remained event highlights since 2007. With their 2008 debuts, Doug Johnson, Robert Earl Keen and Bridgette Tatum have cultivated a steadfast following throughout the island.

The lineup is further bolstered by pillars such as Rebecca Lynn Howard (2010), Phil Barton, Lori McKenna and Liz Rose, all of whom have been integral to the event since 2010. Following their 2013 debut, Ryan Beaver and Tyler Reeve will return, as well as Jack Ingram and Lee Thomas Miller, who first joined the festival in 2015. Taylor Phillips, Aaron Raitiere, and Trent Tomlinson will perform after their initial mark on the festival in 2017, as well as Ronnie Bowman, who will perform for his ninth consecutive year.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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