BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) and iHeartMedia Fort Myers are proud to present Songwriters for Southwest Florida, an Island Hopper Songwriter Fest relief concert benefiting hospitality workers in Lee County after the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Ian. The event will be held at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville on November 2nd at 7:00 pm. Tickets will go on sale today at 12 pm CT, with 100% of the proceeds going to the fund. To purchase, go to http://3rdandlindsley.com.
The response to help was overwhelming, with many songwriters pledging their support to a community that has given so much to them during their time at the annual 10-day Island Hopper Songwriter Fest in Southwest Florida over the last eight years. The benefit concert will feature BMI songwriters who have performed at the festival since its inception. Some of the singer/songwriters contributing to the night’s lineup include Aaron Barker, Kristian Bush of Sugarland, Sheena Brook, Brooke Eden, Tim James, Paul McDonald, Frank Myers, Danny Myrick, Maggie Rose, Stephanie Quayle, Maia Sharp and more.
To compliment the benefit concert, there is also an online auction with items signed by Luke Bryan, Hardy, Leslie Jordan, LOCASH, Mike Love of the Beach Boys, Frank Myers, and more. To bid on the auction items, visit www.songwritersforswfl.com, and to make online donations to the fund, please go to www.visitfortmyers.com.
Singer/Songwriter Paul McDonald, who has showcased his music at the festival many times, shared, “I’ve been fortunate enough to play shows in downtown Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach and Captiva Island the past seven years for the Island Hopper Fest. The community has always been so inviting, full of love and positivity, and they continue to welcome me with open arms and make me feel like family. I know most of the hotel staff and bartenders by name. It breaks my heart to see such an amazing group of people going through this. Even after the worst storms, the sun will shine again. We’ll get there together.”
“BMI has been a proud sponsor of the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest since the beginning,” said Dan Spears, BMI’s VP of Industry Relations. “The festival has always given our songwriters amazing venues to showcase their music and connect with fans. In response to the hurricane, many BMI songwriters came forward, offering to do what they do best- bringing people together through music. We’re hoping to raise enough to give back to those hospitality workers in Lee County who have welcomed us over the last eight years.” Spears continued, “I’d also like to thank our longtime partners, iHeartMedia and Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches & Neighborhoods, and our BMI songwriters for making this concert a reality.”
“Hurricane Ian dealt a horrific blow to the coastline of Southwest Florida’s people and businesses, especially the hotel, hospitality and restaurant workers that we work so closely with each year in the planning and execution of the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest,” said Louis Kaplan, Sr. VP Programming-Ft Myers, iHeartMedia. “We’re so grateful to all of the festival artists, past and present, who have stepped up on behalf of the people who were so damaged by the storm. I’m lifted by all the support.”