The sixth annual Island Hopper Songwriter Fest got underway Friday night on Captiva Island.
The fest run Sept. 20 to Sept. 29 to fill the beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel with music and fun at a number of tropical venues.
The festival will take place over 10 days on Southwest Florida’s most beautiful barrier islands and in the historic River District. It’s also a chance for fans to hear popular songs they’ve heard on country radio performed by the actual songwriters. Most of the performances are free.
The festival kicks off on Captiva Island Sept. 20 – 22, then moves to historic downtown Fort Myers on Sept. 22 – 26, and wraps up on Fort Myers Beach Sept. 27 – 29.
Headliners this year include Rodney Atkins, Jerrod Niemann, Gone West, Ryan Hurd and Kristian Bush. Tickets to these ticketed shows are available on the Island Hopper app.
More than 80 songwriters have been confirmed: Angie Keilhauer, Ava Suppelsa, Ayla Lynn, Badger & Rose, Bill Labounty, Bill Metts, Billy McKnight, Bobby Tomberlin, Brandon Kinney, Bridgette Tatum, Bryce Mauldin, Caleb Neff, Cassidy Daniels, Carlene Thissen, Carlo Colasacco, Carly Tefft, Chas Sandford, Clint Daniels, Daniel Ross, Danny Myrick, Dave Pahanish, Dylan Altman, Earl Bud Lee, Even Stevens, Frank Myers, Gabrielle Macafee, Gianna Minichiello, Gary Hannan, Hayden Coffman, Heidi Raye, Hunter Smith, James Gadon, James Slater, Jamie Lee Thurston, Jared Mullins, Jason White, Jenna Paulette, Jim McCormick, Johnny Bulford, Jordan Minton, Joshua Singleton, Joybeth Taylor, Judy Blank, Julianne Ankley, Karleen Watt, Katie Lyon, Keefe Klug, Kennedy Kuntz, Kim Mayfield, Kostas, Kyle Anne, LaLa Deaton, Lance Carpenter, Lena Stone, Lockwood Barr, Madeline Finn, Marie Nofsinger, Mark Mulch, Meg Williams, Megan Linville, Melanie Sandford, Phil O’Donnell, Rachele Lynae, Ray Cerbone, Robert Bidney, Robert Counts, Roscoe & Etta, Roy Schneider, Sam James, Sarah Peacock, Sawyer Fredricks, Sheena Brook, Sheridan Gates, Stephanie Quayle, Striking Matches, Tammy Renee, Tim McGeary and Wynn Varble.
Island Hopper is presented by Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, iHeartMedia, Cat Country 107.1 and BMI, the largest music rights organization in the U.S.
Happenings Magazine is again a sponsoring partner with the Island Hopper Songwriter Festival. Other sponsors include Landshark, Pinchers, Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer, Victory Layne Chevrolet, DiamondHead Resort, BOSE, Blue Chair Bay Premium Rum and Zoom Tan.
For more info and a schedule of performances, visit online at www.islandhopperfest.com.
