Pictured (L-R) at the 2021 Island Hopper Songwriter Fest are: BMI’s Dan Spears, BMI songwriter Shannon McNeal, The Green Flash General Manager Cindie Barker and BMI songwriter Carlene Thissen
Back again for the 7th year, BMI partnered with iHeart Media and the Lee County Visitors and Convention Bureau to present the Island Hopper Songwriters Fest in southwest Florida. After taking a pause in 2020 due to the pandemic, the festival resumed this year with enthusiastic attendees, plenty of outdoor venues and record-breaking revenue for the more than twenty participating BMI-licensed restaurants, bars, and hotels. The 10-day event, which took place on Captiva Island, in downtown Fort Myers and on Fort Myers Beach, featured 75 BMI songwriters, including ACM’s New Male Artist of the Year, Jimmie Allen, and Michael Ray, whose hit songs include “Kiss You in the Morning.”. BMI participates in the festival every year to not only shine a spotlight on the craft of songwriting, but to help drive traffic to the businesses in southwest Florida that support BMI songwriters through the licensing fees they pay.
Several business owners took the time to comment that the showcases provided their establishments with much needed support and that the songwriters who pitched in to help were very much appreciated by both them and the many fans who came to hear them, saying:
“What a great pleasure it was to be a part of the Captiva Island Hopper Songwriters Festival this year. It was exciting to see and feel the energy that each of the BMI songwriter performances generated throughout the weekend. In what is typically a slower time of the year the event was great for our tipped employees as well as the overall revenue for the Green Flash!”
- Tim McGowan, Owner of the Green Flash Restaurant
“We look forward to the annual Island Hopper Songwriters Festival and BMI does a great job coordinating it all. It comes at a slow time of year, and we really appreciate the boost to our businesses out on Captiva Island.”
- Sandi Stillwell, Owner of Key Lime Bistro and RC Otters
“Steve and I want to thank BMI for bringing the Songwriters to Ft Myers.
Our staff looks forward to BMI showcasing the songwriters, especially in our time of need.
It helped so much to bring back business and put my employees happily to work. We feel the support of the songwriters through their stories and songs. It was because of BMI that this event exists. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!! BMI is truly the BEST!!!”
- Denise Hollister, Twisted Vine Bistro / The Barrel Room
BMI can’t wait for next year’s festival when our songwriters will once again shine in southwest Florida!
