BMI Supports the Fifth Annual Island Hopper Songwriters Festival

LOCASH and Midland headlining festival featuring more than 75 singer-songwriters performing across Southwest Florida

Posted in News on September 11, 2018
BMI songwriter Julia Cole poses in Downtown Fort Myers at the 2017 Island Hopper Songwriter Fest.
BMI songwriter Julia Cole poses in Downtown Fort Myers at the 2017 Island Hopper Songwriter Fest.

BMI is pleased to sponsor the fifth annual Island Hopper Songwriters Festival, presented by the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau and co-sponsored by iHeartMedia. The ten-day festival spanning across Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach and Downtown Fort Myers from Friday, September 21 to Sunday, September 30 will support local bars, restaurants and hotels, while also promoting music creators and songwriters.

During a time typically considered off-season for the Southwest Florida area, the festival brings patrons to the area and helps boost local business. By providing the talented songwriters who will perform at the festival, BMI hopes business owners will see an increase in food and beverage revenue, while also showcasing the music and its creators.

“BMI is thrilled to partner with iHeartMedia once again in supporting the Island Hopper Songwriters Festival,” said Dan Spears, Vice President of Industry Relations at BMI. “This festival is about bringing people together through music while shining a spotlight on the great bars and restaurants across Southwest Florida. It helps stimulate the local economy and the BMI-licensed restaurants that participate in the festival give our talented songwriters a platform to perform and share their songs and the stories behind some of their biggest hits.”

With more than 75 singer-songwriters performing throughout the Fort Meyers area, the festival has something for music lovers of all ages. BMI songwriters and country act, LOCASH will headline the downtown Fort Myers concert on Wednesday, September 26, while country music’s rising stars, Midland, will close the festival on Sunday, September 30 in Fort Myers Beach. Other singer-songwriters to catch include Bob DiPiero, Even Stevens, Aaron Barker, Lee Thomas Miller, Wendell Mobley and Earl Bud Lee, who collectively have written # 1 songs for country superstars like Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Garth Brooks, Kenny Rogers, George Strait, Tim McGraw. Blake Shelton, and many others. Hear the stories behind your favorite country songs from the legendary George Strait’s “Baby Blue” to newer classics like Tim McGraw’s “Southern Voice,” with acts ranging from country songwriting legends to up-and-comers.

Festival dates are: Captiva Island - September 21 - 23, 2018; Downtown Fort Myers - September 24 - 27, 2018; and Fort Myers Beach - September 28 - 30, 2018.

A full list of songwriters can be found here, and the schedule is now available exclusively on the festival mobile app. Please download for an interactive experience of all things Island Hopper!

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