Key West Songwriters Fest Stars Top American Music Makers

The Key West Songwriters Festival wrapped up its 26th year with a bang, treating music lovers to over 50 shows featuring 175 chart-topping hit-makers, talented newcomers and other performing songwriters.

Several thousand people gathered on Key West's Duval Street Saturday for a "main stage" concert headlined by recording artist Riley Green, renowned for his musical storytelling and songs including the platinum-selling "I Wish Grandpas Never Died." The event's other "main stage" performers were Shelby Darrall, whose recent singles include the emotional “Lied To Too” and Payton Smith, whose musical mastery infuses such tunes as “Like I Knew You Would.”

Now in its 26th year, the Key West festival has become an annual tradition for a large group of leading country and pop songwriters and musicians. Audiences savored everything from powerhouse country rock and blues to Americana during the event's five days of concerts and jam sessions.

Performers shared the spotlight in island settings including waterfront hotspots, an excursion catamaran at sunset, restaurants and boutique theaters, and Key West's Coffee Butler Amphitheater, site of a show by multiplatinum entertainer Chris Young. Presented in part by international performing rights organization BMI, the festival featured day and evening events Sunday including a musical Mother's Day brunch.

The Key West Songwriters Festival is always a highlight of the year for music lovers, and this year's event did not disappoint. With an incredible lineup of performers, there was something for everyone to enjoy. The festival has become an annual tradition for many leading country and pop songwriters and musicians, and we can't wait to see what next year's event has in store.