Nashville’s songwriting neighborhood was out in full power in Key West this previous week because the Key West Songwriters Pageant marked its milestone thirtieth anniversary (April 29–Could 3), bringing greater than 250 BMI songwriters and multi-genre creators collectively for the most important occasion of its sort.
Introduced by BMI and hosted in partnership with the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Affiliation and Rams Head Presents, the five-day celebration featured greater than 80 performances throughout the island—from laid-back poolside rounds to packed sundown showcases—many led by a few of Nashville’s most revered hitmakers.
The pageant kicked off Wednesday with the “Sundown Pier Kick Off Social gathering” on the Ocean Key Resort & Spa, hosted by Storme Warren. Performances included DJ Smoke, The Brummies, and Nashville favourite Jeffrey Steele, who delivered an emotional tribute to late songwriter Ronnie Bowman with “What Hurts The Most,” setting a heartfelt tone for the weekend.
Nashville artists continued to dominate the lineup all through the week. A sold-out present on the Key West Theater featured Ashley Cooke alongside Thomas Edwards, Aaron Raitiere, Tyler Reeve, and James Slater.
Thursday’s highlights included songwriter rounds at The Marker Resort and La Concha Lodge, plus a standout gathering at Blue Heaven for the annual Bluebird Presents showcase led by Liz Rose. Joined by an all-star lineup together with Lori McKenna, Luke Laird, and Lee Thomas Miller, the set underscored simply how deeply Nashville expertise runs via the pageant’s DNA. Rose closed the spherical by inviting rising feminine writers onstage for a crowd-pleasing efficiency of “You Belong With Me.”
By Friday, hotspots like Rams Head Southernmost Bar & Restaurant and Sloppy Joe’s Bar had been filled with followers catching performances from hitmakers together with Bob DiPiero, HARDY, Craig Wiseman, and extra—additional cementing Nashville’s presence all through the island.
Saturday’s festivities included a VIP reception honoring pageant founder Charlie Bauer with the BMI Ambassador Award, adopted by a high-energy Duval Avenue block celebration headlined by ERNEST, with assist from Ashley Cooke and Cody Lohden.
The weekend wrapped Sunday with “Sunday Songs: Music & Mimosas” at Williams Corridor, that includes a gospel-inspired lineup together with Shannon Sanders, Chuck Cannon, and Rebecca Lynn Howard.
Three many years in, the Key West Songwriters Pageant stays a songwriter’s paradise—and in 2026, it was clear that Nashville’s voice continues to guide the dialog.
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