An impressive slate of live music is shaping up for this year’s annual Island Hopper Songwriter Fest.

More than 60 performers and 80 free performances are expected at 20 venues among Fort Myers Beach, Cape Coral, Fort Myers and Captiva beginning Friday.

There also will be nine ticketed performances headlined by country music artist Chris Young, who will close out the festival on Fort Myers Beach at the Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina’s pool party on Sept. 28.

The festival that begins Sept. 19 will feature “top-tier talent,” said Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau Communications Manager Miram Dotson. The festival is a collaboration between the county’s tourism bureau, Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) and iHeart Radio.

“Last year was such a testament to the love for the event,” Dotson said. Hurricane Helene had struck just days before the big pool party finale. “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 Festival had closed out at the Pink Shell Beach Resort before a packed pool party just days before Hurricane Ian struck.

“The fans come out,” Dotson said. The festival attracts a lot of in-state visitors. The Tampa region in particular attracts a lot of festivalgoers, Dotson said. There are a lot of locals who come out to the shows as well as some country music fans from the Midwest.

“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.

In Cape Coral, five different venues will see live performances from artists, including Gather, High Tide Social House, Nauti Mermaid, The Westin Cape Coral, and the Silver King beach shuttle.

“We are so excited to bring Island Hopper to Cape Coral again,” Dotson said. “This is the third year Cape Coral has been in the lineup. It has been a great addition to the 10-day music fest. The venues have been packed clearly showing the desire for events like this.”

Island Hopper shows in Cape Coral run Sept. 22 and 23.

Headliner “LOCASH” will be kicking things off in Cape Coral on Monday with a ticketed performance at 7 p.m. The platinum-selling duo have earned eight charting singles including platinum-selling breakout, “I Love this Life.” In addition to writing their own songs, they have written songs for artists like Keith Urban, Tim McGraw and had a 2020 smash hit, “Famous Friends” with Kane Brown.

“They have a great following, and we are excited to see them play this year along with all the other singer-songwriters on tap,” Dotson said.

On Sept. 22 at High Tide Social House, Claire Liparulo and Alan Bradford play at 6:15 p.m., Krystal King and Kelly Neff play at 7:30, and Tim James and Lilly MacPhee play at 8:30.

“I also encourage people to check out local artist Claire Liparulo,” Dotson said. “She has a beautiful voice and such a presence. We have so much great local talent, it’s nice to see them on the Island Hopper stage. Tim James is another great show. He is behind so many Country hits. For example, he is the co-writer for ‘My List’ by Toby Keith, penned ‘All I Ask For Anymore’ by Trace Adkins and Chris Stapleton’s ‘Either Way.’ He’s a Grammy award-winning songwriter and audience members get an up close and personal performance.”

On Sept. 23 at High Tide Social House, Adriana McDonald and Carling Witt play at 7 p.m., while Billy McKnight and Charlie Pace play at 8:15.

At Nauti Mermaid on Sept. 22, McDonald and Pace play at 6:30 p.m., and Frank Myers and McKnight play at 8:15. On Sept. 23, Briz and Lady and Bradford play at 7 p.m., while Tim James and Liparulo perform at 8:15.

“Frank Myers is another Island Hopper favorite and songwriting legend,” Dotson said. “He is behind so many popular hits like, ‘I Swear,’ and ‘I’m Already There.’ He has had songs recorded by more than 50 country and pop artists pulling in 12 No. 1s and 20 top tens.”

At Gather on Sept. 23, Kelly Neff and Spring Pace play at 7:30 p.m., while Frank Myers and Krystal King perform at 8:45.

On Sept. 23, Lilly MacPhee performs on the Silver King Boat Cruise at 6 p.m.

“The venues in the Cape, like the Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village, are the perfect place to take in great music with amazing talent,” Dotson said. “The resort is waterfront with a spectacular sunset, great food and great company. This year there is a songwriter sunset cruise aboard the Silver King departing from the Westin. It’s a unique way to listen to music from artist, Lilly MacPhee, on the water while the sun sets. Other places like High Tide Social House and Gather offer great food with multiple shows creating a laid back, intimate setting to hear the stories behind the songs. All of these locations are walkable to each other and provide a great boost to local businesses.”

Other than LOCASH and MacPhee on the Silver King cruise, all performances in Cape Coral are free to attend.

“Free is always great, right? But not only is it an affordable and accessible event, attendees and residents are also helping fellow locals when you go to Island Hopper,” Dotson said. “Have a meal or a drink at these great spots and listen to this top talent with a beautiful backdrop. These kinds of experiences mean so much to our community and offer an economic boost to local businesses. It’s also a great chance to try a new place or meet up with friends and family and take in some great music. These kinds of events are right in their backyard and residents should be able to take advantage of them too. This year there are more than eighty performances with most of them being free. We have also worked to create unique experiences – like the songwriter cruise – to give folks a chance to really take in our beautiful area.”

A full list of the arts and venues participating in the Island Hopper Songwriter Festival, as well as tickets.

The Westin Cape Coral and Silver King is at 5951 Silver King Blvd.

Gather is at 5971 Silver King Blvd. Suite 116.

High Tide Social House is at 6095 Silver King Blvd.

Nauti Mermaid is at 5952 Silver King Blvd.

Fort Myers Beach Observer and Bulletin editor Nathan Mayberg contributed to this report.