Grammy Winners, Top Songwriters to Star in Key West Festival May 10-14

KEY WEST, Florida Keys — More than 50 shows featuring over 200 top performing songwriters, including 2017 Grammy winner Maren Morris, await music lovers during the 22nd annual Key West Songwriters Festival. An annual tradition for many of America's leading country and pop music hitmakers, the festival is ongoing through Sunday, May 14.

Fans of live music can rock to shows at landmark Key West bars and restaurants, waterfront resorts and intimate inns, boutique theaters, a historic Cuban cultural center and a catamaran during sunset sailing cruises.

Most shows feature a rotating group of writer/performers who play their hits, introduce new melodies, share creative insights and relate the stories behind their songs. Many performances are free including afternoon and late-night offerings at the festival's headquarters, the Smokin' Tuna Saloon at 4 Charles St.

Morris, who earned a 2017 Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance for her eloquent "My Church," is to headline the festival's free outdoor "main stage" concert in the 200 block of Key West's famed Duval Street. Morris also was named 2017 New Female Vocalist of the Year by the Academy of Country Music and 2016 New Artist of the Year by the Country Music Association.

Beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 13, the "main stage" performance also features the ACM Award-winning band Old Dominion and hitmaking singer/songwriter Cam.

Other talents performing during the festival include the Dylan Altman Blues Band, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Steve Cropper, Texas singer/songwriter and master storyteller Robert Earl Keen, Langhorne Slim (best known for the evocative "Put It Together") and superstar songwriters Scotty Emerick, Dean Dillon, Chuck Cannon and Jeffrey Steele.

"I think the amazing thing that keeps bringing these writers back year after year is the ambiance of Key West and the great camaraderie they have down here together," said festival president and founder Charlie Bauer.

Presented by international performing rights organization BMI, the Key West Songwriters Festival is to benefit the nonprofit BMI Foundation, which supports the creation, performance and study of music.

Event information, complete schedule and ticketing: kwswf.com

Key West visitor information: fla-keys.com/keywest or 1-800-LAST-KEY

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