For 28 years, the Key West Songwriters Festival, working with the BMI performance rights organization, has brought country music’s best and brightest music makers to the island every spring. Dozens of songwriters perform every day at venues all over town, from intimate acoustic shows to a huge free concert on Duval Street.
Download the festival’s phone application from the Apple Store or Google Play for a full schedule of each day’s venues and performers, who this year include Cole Swindell, Robert Earl Keen, Mackenzie Carpenter, Dallas Davidson, Thompson Square, Jack Ingram, Rebecca Lynn Howard and dozens more.
The Key West Songwriters Festival is the largest festival of its kind in the world. It has kicked off the careers of such names as Kacey Musgraves, Florida Georgia Line, Jake Owen, Michael Ray, Randy Houser and Maren Morris. The event has grown into a top destination for music lovers who flock to Key West for five days and nights of live music and storytelling from veteran songwriters and possibly the next big hit-makers.
Expect to hear a wide variety of songs you know and love and some you may not recognize, but be prepared to leave with plenty of new favorites.
Charity is also a huge part of the festival, which each year auctions off guitars signed by festival artists. Auction proceeds benefit the BMI Foundation, the Key West-based Michelle’s Foundation and the Key West High School Band.
The BMI Foundation supports the creation, performance and study of music through awards, scholarships, grants and commissions.
Michelle’s Foundation was established in honor of Michelle Keevan Halpern to help children achieve their highest potential. With an all-volunteer staff, donations to Michelle’s Foundation helps cancer patients while they are undergoing treatment; provides free tutoring and learning skills to at-risk kids, offers college scholarships and provides a last meal of the day for underprivileged local kids.
