Big weekend of Island Hopper music for Fort Myers Beach
When country music star Chris Young takes the stage at the Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina this Sunday in the annual Island Hopper Songwriters Festival pool party, he will be marking three years to the day Hurricane Ian brought unspeakable devastation to Fort Myers Beach.
The concert and the sprawling festival that will spread out over the island this weekend with dozens of performances, are expected to help boost the town through its continued recovery from the abyss with songs ranging from country to rock and roll from some of Nashville’s most talented songwriters to musicians local to the area and beyond.
In addition to the Pink Shell, the other Fort Myers Beach venues participating in the festival beginning this Friday through Sunday will include the town’s Bayside Veteran’s Park, DiamondHead Beach Resort, Margaritaville Beach Resort and the Yucatan Beach Stand Bar & Grill.
Last year, the festival almost didn’t get off the ground on Fort Myers Beach after Hurricane Helene threatened to spoil everybody’s plans,
Hurricane Helene had struck just days before the big pool party finale at the Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina last year.
“Last year was such a testament to the love for the event,” Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau Communications Manager Miram Dotson said.
“Everybody thought it was going to get canceled and the Pink Shell staff cleaned everything within a week. I was just blown away,” Dotson said. “That is so Fort Myers Beach.”
Two years earlier, the Island Hopper Songwriter’s Festival had closed out at the Pink Shell Beach Resort before a packed pool party just days before Hurricane Ian struck.
So far, all weather reports are pointing to smoother sailing for the festival.
“The fans come out,” Dotson said of the annual migration to Fort Myers Beach for the Island Hopper Songwriters Festival. The festival attracts a lot of in-state visitors. The Tampa region in particular attracts a lot of festivalgoers, Dotson said.
“The idea is to get people to come in the slow season and boost tourism,” Dotson said. “The hotels will do special deals.” For example, those staying at the Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina on Sept. 28 will also get to see the pool party show for free with Chris Young.
Those looking to just attend the pool party can purchase a ticket off the Island Hopper website.
Young’s hits include “Getting You Home (The Black Dress Song),” for which he was nominated for a Grammy Award. His numerous other hits which he sang and co-wrote include “I’m Comin’ Over,” “Voices” and “Think of You.”
Among the new shows and experiences on Fort Myers Beach this year will be Alair Custom Home’s “Canvas & Chords” experience on Saturday, Sept 27. The show will feature a performance by Katrina Cain and Danny Myrick at a custom home built by Alair Custom Home at 15 Bayview Blvd on Fort Myers Beach. Local artist Lacy McCrary will be painting during the performance. McCrary helped paint the Times Square mural where the former elevator shaft stood next to La Ola. That show starts at 4 p.m. with tickets on sale through the Island Hopper website. The show will benefit SWFL Reefs. “It will be a unique experience,” Dotson said.
While most of the artists who perform at the festival are based in Nashville, the festival also celebrates local musicians like Sheena Brook. The Lee County resident “has been with us from the beginning,” Dotson said.
Brook will be giving a free performance at Margaritaville Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach on Friday, Sept. 26 at 4 p.m.
Brian Sutherland, who grew up in Fort Myers and is based now in Nashville, will be playing four free shows on Fort Myers Beach this weekend with stops at the DiamondHead Beach Resort, Margaritaville, Bayside Veteran’s Park and the Yucatan Beach Stand Bar & Grill.
Nashville songwriter Adam Craig, who has written songs for George Strait and Blake Shelton, will be performing several shows on Fort Myers Beach from Sept. 26-28 including stops at Bayside Veteran’s Park, Margaritaville and the Yucatan Beach Stand Bar & Grill.
Dave Pahanish, a songwriter who has penned the #1 country hits “Without You” by Keith Urban, Toby Keith’s “American Ride”, and Jimmy Wayne’s “Do You Believe Me Now” will be playing free shows at DiamondHead Beach Resort and Margaritaville Sept. 26-28. He will be at Margaritaville on Friday, Sept. 26 at 7:15 p.m., at DiamondHead Beach Resort on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 6:45 p.m. and will be back at Margaritaville on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 3:30 p.m.
Other notable names performing on Fort Myers Beach include Claudia Hoyser, Megan Linville and Brian Ruby, who will be playing multiple shows across different venues across Fort Myers Beach from Friday, Sept. 26 through Sunday, Sept. 28.
The festival is also known for celebrating up-and-coming artists and this year they include pianist and singer Spring Pace, who will play at the DiamondHead Beach Resort on Saturday, Sept. 27.
A full list of the arts and venues participating in the Island Hopper Songwriter’s Festival can be found at: https://www.island-hopperfest.visitfortmyers.com.
Dotson said the goal of the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau is to attract visitors to Lee County to attend the festival and stay at local hotels. Dotson said the bureau hopes the festival will help bring back visitors who may have not returned since the hurricanes that have hit the area the last few years.
“A lot of our guests look forward to this event,” said Katja Kunz, marketing director for the Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina.
Kunz said the resort is looking to sell out though there are still some rooms available. Those who purchase a room Sunday night, will get to enjoy the pool party concert featuring Chris Young for free.
“We are grateful to be able to be part of this memorable countywide event,” Kunz said.
The festival is a collaboration between the county’s tourism bureau, Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) and iHeart Radio.
Dotson said that closing out the festival on Fort Myers Beach at the Pink Shell Beach Resort each year helps bring the community together. “Fort Myers Beach is a special place,” Dotson said. “There is something special about the community.”