October 31, 2011 - ORANGE BEACH, AL (OBA) - The Flora-Bama presents the 27th Annual Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival Nov. 10-20, 2011 featuring nearly 200 songwriters in multiple venues along the Florida/Alabama Gulf Coast.

During this exciting 11 day festival, seasoned and aspiring songwriters and musicians from all over the world perform at 25 venues, including Perdido Key, Florida, Bon Secour, Silverhill, Elberta, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores with performances featuring Grammy Award winning songwriters and the up and coming stars of tomorrow.  (Most performances will be free to attend, although some venues may have a cover charge).

In addition to the music scheduled, the festival has a full line up of special events planned.

Wednesday, Nov. 9 the festivities begin with progressive “Kickoff Parties East & West” Local songwriters will begin performing at 7 p.m. at Flippers Sports Bar in Orange Beach and the Sports Bar of Perdido in Perdido Key.  Then East meets West at 9 p.m.0 for more fun and local entertainment on the Florida / Alabama line at the Silver Moon Lounge across from the Flora-Bama.

Veteran’s Day, Friday, Nov. 11th, a special tribute to honor Veterans will be held at the Legends Grill at Perdido Bay Golf Club beginning at 8 p.m.  This performance features songwriters who have served in the military or have written patriotic songs.

Saturday, Nov. 12 the Flora-Bama will host a tribute to the late great Rusty McHugh.  He played the Flora-Bama for more than a decade. Rusty was a talented comedy songwriter and musician whose body of work gained thousands of fans from all over the world. Get there early to see Rusty’s friends perform his hilarious, and irreverent songs.

Monday, Nov. 14, Pensacola/Perdido Key chapter Nashville Songwriters Association International’s (NSAI) will entertain the public with a Songwriters Showcase at the Silver Moon Lounge at 7 p.m.  Chapter coordinators are Larry Book, Steven Lee Veal and Craige McFerrin.

During the Festival songwriters and musicians will pay tribute to four very special friends of the festival who have passed away, songwriters Mickey Newbury, Larry Jon Wilson, Hank Cochran and Todd Cerney. The tributes will be at the Silver Moon Café. Sunday Nov. 13 at 6:30 p.m. Todd Cerney’s friends and fans will gather at 6:30 pm, Mickey Newbury’s tribute will follow at 8:30 p.m. Larry Jon Wilson will be honored on the closing day of the festival, Sunday Nov. 20 at 4 p.m. followed by Hank Cochran’s tribute at 5 p.m.

Other festival highlights include a Songwriting Showcase for Teens on Friday Nov. 18, hosted by LuLu’s at Home Port Marina and the Frank BrownFoundation for Music; the event will feature CJ Watson, Hal Newman, Karen E. Reynolds, and other industry professionals. The panel will discuss the art and business of songwriting with the would-be stars of tomorrow. Select teen songwriters will perform their original songs. Teens who would like to attend this event (with parental permission) may call 251-967-5858 to place a reservation. Space is limited.

Saturday, Nov. 19 a Songwriters Seminar sponsored by NSAI and the Commercial Songwriting Concentration of MTSU will be held at the Island House Hotel Conference Center.  From 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Hal Newman and John Briggs will discuss “the business of songwriting and the pleasure of being a professional songwriter.”  At 1-3 p.m. in the afternoon Hal, John and CJ Watson will listen to songs brought in by the participants, assess the song’s commercial potential and offer suggestions for improvement.

The festival utilizes nearly 100 volunteers, according to Lori Crace, Festival coordinator.

“If you would like to go behind the scenes, meet the songwriters and work with some fantastic people join us as a volunteer!”   Volunteer applications are available on the official website at www.fbisf.com .

The festival is sponsored by the Flora-Bama, the Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce and Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism. Visit www.fbisf.com or join us on Face Book to keep up with day-to-day activities.