The annual Coconut Festival returns Nov. 7 – 10 to the Sun Splash Festival Grounds in Cape Coral.
On Friday, Nov. 8, Coconut Festival welcomes three national country artists: David Lee Murphy, Runaway June and Cassadee Pope.
Million-selling singer-songwriter David Lee Murphy had no plans to make a new record until a country superstar made them for him.
“I’ve been friends and written songs with Kenny (Chesney) for years,” Murphy reflects. “I sent him some songs for one of his albums a couple of years ago, and he called me up. He goes, ‘Man, you need to be making a record. I could produce it with Buddy Cannon, and I think people would love it.’ It’s hard to say no to Kenny Chesney when he comes up with an idea like that.”
Murphy, whose songs “Dust on the Bottle and “Party Crowd” continue to be staples at country radio, could have easily filled the album with hits he’s written for Chesney (“’Til It’s Gone,” “Living in Fast Forward,” “Live a Little”), Jason Aldean (“Big Green Tractor,” “The Only Way I Know How”), Thompson Square (GRAMMY-nominated “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”), Jake Owen (“Anywhere With You”), or Blake Shelton (“The More I Drink”). But, Chesney had other ideas.
Murphy has became an in-demand songwriter for such post-millennial country stars as Chesney, Aldean and Shelton. He has earned more than a dozen songwriting awards. David Lee Murphy songs have been recorded by superstars Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Eric Church, Brad Paisley, Hank Williams Jr., Brooks & Dunn, Chris Young and many more.
Classic rock headliner will be Fran Cosmo, former lead singer of Boston on Saturday, Nov. 9. Other performers that night will include NightBird, the ultimate tribute to Stevie Nicks, and On the Border, the ultimate Eagles tribute.
Fran Cosmo exploded onto the rock scene when he took over for Brad Delp as the lead singer for the Legendary group Boston in 1992. Fran was featured as the lead vocalist on the “Walk On” album which sold over a million copies worldwide. It certified platinum in America and certified platinum in Canada.
Fran’s lead vocals were also featured on four of the songs off the “Corporate America” album and both of Boston’s Greatest Hits. The song “Livin For You” in which Fran also sang lead on was the only live Boston song ever released on the Greatest Hits albums.
Before joining Boston, Fran was a highly respected lead vocalist and was the lead singer and co-songwriter for both the Orion The Hunter and Barry Goudreau albums. The song “So You Ran” was an MTV hit and climbed to number #4 on the US billboard charts. The band then toured with Aerosmith’s “Back in the Saddle” tour.
The band also features Anton Cosmo, former member of Boston. Anton wrote and performed four songs off the “Corporate America” album and performed as the backing vocalist and guitarist on the 2003-2004 world tours.
The Cape Coral Coconut Festival started in 2005 at Sun Splash Festival Grounds and has come to be known as the city’s signature event. This nutty event with national performers, community entertainment, carnival rides, fireworks, and great food offers a long weekend full of family fun for residents and visitors from all over. Highlights of the party include two nights of national entertainment on the main stage and an amazing fireworks display to end the night.
Coconut Festival hours are 5 – 10 p.m. on Nov. 7, 5 p.m. – midnight on Nov. 8, noon to midnight on Nov. 9 and noon to 8 p.m. on Nov. 10. General admission for the festival is $5 at the gate. Concert tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the gate. A country or rock night VIP ticket is available for $25. Carnival ride wristbands are $20 in advance and $25 on event day. Advance tickets are available online and at the Cape Coral City Hall, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd.
Festival parking is free. For more details and ticket info, visit www.cocofest.com.
