BMI has announced the initial lineup for the 21st Annual Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI and sponsored by Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

Set for May 4-8, the festival will feature top country songwriters and up-and-coming talent performing in various venues in the southernmost point in the U.S.

The list of performers includes Jake Owen, Robert Earl Keen, Rhett Akins Band, Bob DiPiero, Al Anderson, Shawn Camp, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose, Wendell Mobley, Heather Morgan, James Slater, Even Stevens, Guthrie Trapp and the Mulekickers, Chuck Cannon, Bruce Wallace, Phil Barton, Randy Montana, Josh Dorr, Marti Fredriksen, Danny Myrick, Paul Jenkins, Jabe Beyer, Rick Farrell, Love & Theft and many more to come.

“This is a great opportunity for us to bring our songwriters and licensees together for five days of fun in the sun and once-in-a-lifetime performances,” says Mark Mason, BMI’s Executive Director of Writer-Publisher Relations. “Budding songwriter relationships and hit songs have come out of the Key West Songwriters Festival for 21 years now.”

“The Key West Songwriters Festival brings the best country songwriters to the most festive island venues in the southernmost state,” says Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “We are thrilled to bring such a diverse talent line up to such a lively city as Key West, giving festival attendees the chance have a unique music festival experience.”

Attendees will have the chance to check out more than 200 songwriters playing more than 50 shows, free of charge. The SunTrust Kickoff Concert will feature the Rhett Akins Band, performing on the scenic Ocean Key Resort Sunset Pier, followed by free daily stages at the Southernmost Beach Resort, sunset show on the Pier House Resort beach, and a Main Stage Duval Street Concert featuring Jake Owen.

Shows will take place at the historic Sloppy Joe’s, the Green Parrot Bar and will be streamed live from Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville. Other shows include the NSAI “Bluebird at Blue Heaven” show, HD Radio’s late night jams with Guthrie Trapp and the Mulekickers at the Smokin’ Tuna Saloon, and a closing concert at the historic Casa Marina Resort.

Ticketed shows for the festival will include theatre shows at the San Carlos Institute, the Tropic Cinema, the Key West Theater, the Studios of Key West and Sunset Sail Shows aboard a Fury Water Adventures catamaran. Keen will host two Bloody Mary Brunch shows at the Smokin’ Tuna Saloon, in partnership with Texas Heritage Songwriters Association.

The entire event is hosted by Sirius XM host Storme Warren, who will broadcast his morning show live from the Smokin’ Tuna Saloon.

Proceeds from the Key West Songwriters Festival will benefit the BMI Foundation, a nonprofit that since 1985 supports the creation, performance, and study of music through awards, scholarships, grants and commissions. Sponsors include SunTrust Bank, Texas Roadhouse, HD Radio, Epiphone and the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association.

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