BMI Announces Star-Studded Lineup for 24th Annual Key West Songwriters Festival
BMI is pleased to announce the lineup for the 24th annual Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. Set for May 8-12, 2019, the Key West Songwriters Festival will feature legendary hitmakers alongside burgeoning talent in venues across the island. For the seventh year in a row, BMI and Sony Music Nashville will set up shop on Duval Street Saturday night for a free block party featuring Arista Nashville recording artist Brad Paisley and RCA Nashville recording artist Ryan Hurd. Big Loud recording artist and Key West veteran HARDY will return to the festival Wednesday night to kick off the festivities at the Sunset Pier. This year’s confirmed performers include BMI Country Icon Dean Dillon, Liz Rose, Jeffrey Steele and many more.
“I’m so excited to kick off the festival this year,” shared HARDY. “I knew about it before I ever moved to Nashville, and it’s something I look forward to every year. If it weren’t for this festival, there’s a chance my first number one, ‘Up Down,’ would have never been a hit… it was heard at one of the writers rounds and the rest is history! Let’s start this thing off right and can’t wait to see y’all there!”
Attendees will have the chance to check out more than 150 songwriters playing free shows at venues across the island. Other shows include the perennial favorite, Robert Earl Keen’s Bloody Mary Brunch at the Smokin’ Tuna. Ticketed shows for the festival will include theatre shows at the San Carlos Institute, the Tropic Cinema, the Key West Theater and The Studios of Key West.
“Every year, BMI spends a lot of time and attention putting together the Key West lineup to make sure the fans get a taste of what all our songwriters have to offer and we’re so excited about the quality of this year’s lineup,” said Mason Hunter, AVP Creative, Nashville. “We are especially thankful to Sony for once again bringing down an incredible lineup of artists for the Duval Street Party.”
Since 1997, the Florida Restaurant Association and BMI have brought Music Row to Duval Street and beyond, creating a unique environment where industry professionals, songwriters, locals and even tourists are able to experience the best of Nashville in the most intimate of venues. Over the years, the highly-anticipated festival has become a breeding ground for breaking new talent and has become one of the most sought after invites within the Nashville songwriting community. Notable Key West Songwriter Festival alumni include Kacey Musgraves, Florida Georgia Line, Luke Combs, Maren Morris, and Cole Swindell.
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, and Walker Feed Company.
For updates, follow @BMI on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook, and use hashtag #BMIKeyWest.
http://www.keywestsongwritersfestival.comFor a complete listing of shows, venues, participating songwriters and more, visit www.keywestsongwritersfestival.com.
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