Kristian Bush, Brooke Eden, More To Perform At ‘Songwriters For Southwest Florida’ Benefit

BMI and iHeartMedia Fort Myers are presenting “Songwriters for Southwest Florida,” an Island Hopper Songwriter Fest relief concert at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville on Nov. 2. 

Benefiting hospitality workers in Lee County after the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Ian, the concert will feature BMI writers who have performed at the annual 10-day Island Hopper Songwriter Fest since its inception. Aaron Barker, Kristian Bush, Sheena Brook, Brooke Eden, Tim James, Paul McDonald, Frank Myers, Danny Myrick, Maggie Rose, Stephanie Quayle, Maia Sharp and more will perform during the special evening, with all proceeds going to the fund. Tickets are available at 3rdandlindsley.com.

The benefit also features 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 songwritersforswfl.com, and to make online donations to the fund, go to visitfortmyers.com.

“BMI has been a proud sponsor of the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest since the beginning,” says 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,” shares 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.”