The 29th Annual Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI, took over the island from April 30th to May 4th, bringing together music enthusiasts to see over 250 BMI multi-genre creators perform their iconic hits. The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association and Rams Head Presents hosted multi-day events, featuring free and ticketed shows at 50 venues, showcasing both veteran songwriters and rising stars.
BMI songwriters arrived at BNA on the morning of April 30th, where they attended the “Lift Off to the Kickoff” event in Delta’s Sky Club. Delta Air Lines served as the official airline for the festival. That evening, the festival kicked off with the “Sunset Pier Kickoff Party” at the Ocean Key Resort & Spa, hosted by Storme Warren. The party featured DJ Smoke, Gable Bradley, Brian Fuller, and an all-star band with Dylan Altman, Robert Randolph, and Guthrie Trapp. Later, attendees enjoyed performances by songwriters Jordan Dozzi, Kylie Frey, Claudia Hoyser, Jenna LaMaster, Matt McKinney, Delaney Ramsdell, The Kentucky Gentlemen, Grace Tyler, and Heath Warren at venues such as Salty Frog’s, Island Dogs, and The Alamo.
On May 1st, rounds were hosted poolside at Southernmost Beach Resort, La Concha, and Marquesa Hotel, featuring BMI affiliates like Sam Blasko, Parker Daniel, Raul Malo, Mia Mantia, Jake Mitchell, Blake Pendergrass, Becca Rae, and Adam Sanders. A key highlight of the day was the return of “Liz Rose & Friends” to Blue Heaven, where Liz Rose treated the crowd to collaborations with Johnny Clawson, Cassidy Daniels, Lauren McLamb, Lee Thomas Miller, and Heath Warren. Fans also caught Chase Matthew and Nate Smith at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater before attending the “HD Radio Late Night Hang” at The Backyard Bar, featuring The Band Loula and The Brummies.
The tropical takeover continued on May 2nd at Rams Head Southernmost Bar & Restaurant, where hourly rounds featured songwriters like Cole Goodwin, Joey Hyde, Brooke Lee, Matt Morrisey, Lenny Pey, and Rob Ragosta during the “Lewis Brisbois Presents: Hometown Pub Takeover.”
Fans were also treated to “Coffee, Concert, and Conversation” with Jeffrey Steele, followed by acts like Lewis Brice, Bob DiPiero, Alison Nichols, Schmitty, and Craig Wiseman at the Curry Mansion, Sloppy Joe’s, and Schooner Wharf Bar. That evening, the Key West Theater hosted a sold-out show by the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association, featuring Palmer Anthony, Abbey Cabler, Matt Castillo, David Lee, Bobby Pinson, Morgan Lee Powers, and Liz Rose.
On May 3rd, the Key West Woman’s Club returned with hourly rounds at the Hellings Curry Museum, featuring Gloria Anderson, Sheena Brooke, Allie Colleen, Danielle Johnson, and Bridgette Tatum. That evening, fans gathered on Duval Street for a free show by Thomas Edwards and headliner LOCASH. Other venues, such as the San Carlos Institute, saw performances by veteran hitmakers like Marti Frederiksen, Elisha Hoffman, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Tommy Sims, and James Slater.
The day concluded with the “Sunday Songs: Music & Mimosas” event 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 renowned gospel songs.
The festival concluded on May 4th with the “All-Star Encore” at the Key West Theater, featuring Ronnie Bowman, Adam Craig, Jet Harvey, Paul Jenkins, Jay Knowles, Jim McCormick, and Aaron Raitiere.
Proceeds from the event benefited Michelle’s Foundation, a Key West-based nonprofit supporting children and families in need, as well as CreatiVets, which helps U.S. Armed Forces veterans address the unseen wounds of war through visual arts and music. The festival was sponsored by Delta Air Lines, Gallagher, HD Radio, and Texas Roadhouse.
