“Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” on Saturday, Nov. 2 when California and Nashville musicians — including singer-songwriter David Lee Murphy — descend upon Islamorada’s Postcard Inn Beach Resort and Marina for the Help For Hope Town 2.0 event. With a full day of music, food, drinks and fun, the benefit concert will raise money for those in the Bahamas affected by Hurricane Dorian.
Known for his chart-topping duet with Kenny Chesney, “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” and his ’90s No.1, “Dust On The Bottle,” Murphy said he’s excited to be coming to the Keys to play and hang out with the people in Islamorada, all while supporting Hope Town. Murphy said he’s been to Abaco and the Bahamas on many occasions, and he knows just how great the people are.
“The whole point of why I wanted to come down was to do something for the people who had to weather so much impact,” Murphy told the Weekly. “I’m just happy there’s a little something I could do to help out in the cause. Coming to Islamorada and meeting and hanging out with the people, I’m really looking forward to that.”
Organizers of the event, Sam and Timmy Arce, have been instrumental in raising funds and collecting goods for the Bahamas since Hurricane Dorian, and past natural disasters as well. Help for Hope Town 1.0 held last month at Postcard Inn was a true hurricane party between the rain and wind, Timmy says. And the precipitation didn’t stop it from being a success with people coming out for the cause.
As for the benefit concert this weekend, he says it’s the biggest event they’ve thrown in all their years of fundraising and collecting items for those in need. Funds raised from the event, including Florida Keys Brewing Co. beer sales, are going to Southeast Rescue & Relief, a nonprofit that gets donations into the hands of people in need.
“I’ve lived down here my whole life, and I can’t remember a concert like this,” Timmy said. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase Postcard Inn, and we thank them for allowing us to throw this, and to raise funds for Southeast Rescue & Relief. They have boots on the ground and they were there not long after the storm.”
- Help For Hope Town Benefit 2.0
- 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Postcard Inn Beach & Resort, MM 84, Oceanside, Islamorada
- General admission, $20; meet and greet access, $100; VIP tickets, include meet and greet, access to Raw Bar balcony, lanyard signed by David Lee Murphy, pool access, pint glass, free beer all day from Florida Keys Brewing Co., Blue Chair Rum drink, samples from Raw Bar menu, $250
- Children 12 and under are free
- More information, including how to order tickets, is on Facebook at Help For Hope Town 2.0.
As a songwriter, Murphy has garnered more than a dozen awards over the years with artists such as Reba McEntire, Dobie Gray, Jason Aldean and Blake Shelton recording his songs. And with the 2018 album “No Zip Code,” Murphy is launching himself on yet another journey to an already successful career. Last November, Murphy and Chesney won Musical Event of the Year for their hit during the 52nd Country Music Awards.“It was a surprise for us,” Murphy said. “We weren’t expecting that.”
Murphy joined Chesney on his 19 major stadium concerts in 2018 and toured on his “Songs for Saints” 2019 tour that took them from the Midwest to the south and northeast. Today, the two are working on a new project.
“Playing music, and getting to do what I get to do, it’s really a blessing,” Murphy said. “Kenny and I had a bunch of great experiences.”
Murphy’s songs continue to be a staple on the country radio with the likes of “Big Green Tractor” and “The Only Way I Know” by Jason Aldean, “Anywhere With You,” by Jake Owen, “The More I Drink,” by Blake Shelton and Justin Moore’s new single, “Why We Drink.”
Those in attendance for Murphy’s acoustic performance this weekend in Islamorada will hear hit songs of his own, plus ones he’s written for Chesney, Aldean, Owen and others.
As for what’s next in Murphy’s journey, he said he’s living by the motto of “just try to live and enjoy every day.” Come this weekend, he’ll be doing just that.
“It’s going to be a great weekend and a good time being down there, and enjoying the day and getting together to play some music,” he said. “I’m a big fan of the Keys and the lifestyle and the people. I’ve got friends in Marathon and Key West, and I come down at least once a year to fish. I really enjoy the beautiful scenery.”
Fourteen months after Irma, Postcard Inn Resort & Marina is back to 100 percent with the grand opening of Raw Bar coinciding with the Help for Hope Town benefit concert. And along with the concert, Postcard Inn’s Art Walk down Bimini Row goes from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“We’re excited that we can help with the recovery and relief efforts and having Raw Bar open with the benefit concert to support Hope Town,” said Jenn Weiden, director of catering and events.
THE LINEUP
DAVISSON BROTHERS BAND
Founded in Clarksburg, West Virginia, The Davisson Brothers Band is a contemporary country foursome featuring real life siblings Donnie Davisson, vocals, and Chris Davisson, guitars, plus bass player Russell Rupert and drummer Aaron Regester. The Highway. Grammy winner Keith Stegall (Alan Jackson, Zac Brown Band) produced the band’s 2018 sophomore album, Fighter, which featured the work-hard-play-harder anthem “Po’ Boyz.” The Davisson Brothers Band was invited to perform at Australia’s CMC Rocks Festival in 2018 and made their Grand Ole Opry debut in February of 2019.
HEIDI NEWFIELD
Armed with a collaborative history of platinum-selling albums, top 20 singles, ACM and AMA awards to her credit, her distinctive voice and high-octane energy launched forward into a much-anticipated solo career. Through clear-eyed experience and musical passion in full flame, she continues to entertain her core fans and win over new audiences.
WHEELAND BROTHERS
The Wheeland Brothers hail from Southern California in Orange County, growing up surfing and jamming around beach bonfires. They combine fun, catchy melody and lyrics with the cool attitude and positive energy of reggae, as well as the down-to-earth, organic honesty of acoustic rock, ukulele lullabies and flip-flop hip hop.
KYLIE FREY
There is an undeniable conviction behind Kylie Frey’s voice that inspires anyone who hears her to trust her. Her sincerity comes naturally as a native of the musically sacred state of Louisiana, a third-generation rodeo star and a burgeoning honky-tonk hero. In her first decade in music, her grit, powerhouse vocals and authenticity have made her a favorite among Shania Twain and Texas’ most respected troubadours, including Randy Rogers and Cody Johnson. Following two Top 10’s on the Texas Regional Radio Report Chart and her first No. 1 “Rodeo Man,” she relocated to Nashville to pursue country music professionally and aligned with GRAMMY winner Paul Worley for her world debut in 2017.
THE LOCAL LINEUP
MICAH & THE BARSTOOL SAILORS
NICK & THE CAROUSERS
BOB BUNZ & THE FUNKIN SOUL ROCK REVUE
