Captiva Island is ready to launch the 10th Annual Island Hopper Songwriter Festival, a beloved celebration of music across Southwest Florida. While you won’t see Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, or Rascal Flatts headlining, you’ll find the talented songwriters behind their biggest hits. This year’s festival promises to be one of the best, with performances scheduled across Lee County from Sept. 20 to Sept. 29.
Expect to hear from some of the industry’s finest songwriters, including Earl Bud Lee, who co-wrote Garth Brooks’ anthem “Friends in Low Places,” Danny Myrick, the writer behind Tim McGraw’s “Truck Yeah” and Jason Aldean’s “She’s Country,” and Jeffrey Steele, who penned Rascal Flatts’ hits “My Wish” and “What Hurts the Most.” In total, 90 talented singer-songwriters will perform, including country star Scotty McCreery, winner of American Idol, at venues such as Key Lime Bistro, The Green Flash, and Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina.
“You may not recognize their names, but you’ve probably heard their songs on the radio, performed by some of country’s biggest stars,” said Nancy MacPhee, lead organizer of the festival and a representative of the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB).
Island Hopper, now one of Southwest Florida’s biggest music festivals, has attracted thousands of fans since its debut in 2014. The festival offers an intimate concert experience, allowing fans to get up close with songwriters and hear the stories behind the music. This unique format has made Island Hopper a hit, growing from just two locales—Captiva Island and Fort Myers Beach—to include Cape Coral and downtown Fort Myers.
The Big Draw: Country Music and Intimate Venues
Though the festival began with a mix of musical genres, country music has always been the focus, especially with the headliners. Performers like Chris Janson, LOCASH, and even Maren Morris have graced the Island Hopper stage early in their careers, with Morris performing just before her rise to fame in 2016.
Past performers include Kristian Bush of Sugarland, who has played six or seven Island Hopper festivals, and will return again this year. Other highlights from the 2024 lineup include:
- Scotty McCreery (“Five More Minutes,” “This Is It”)
- Jeffrey Steele (Rascal Flatts’ “My Wish,” “What Hurts the Most”)
- Kristian Bush (Sugarland’s “Stuck Like Glue”)
- Earl Bud Lee (Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places”)
- Kassi Ashton (“Drive You Out of My Mind”)
- Shane Profitt (“Better Off Fishin’”)
A Nationally Acclaimed Festival
Island Hopper’s reputation has grown beyond Southwest Florida. In 2024, USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards ranked it the fourth-best music festival in the country, ahead of major events like Tennessee’s Bonnaroo and California’s Monterey Jazz Festival. What sets Island Hopper apart? Its relaxed atmosphere, intimate venues, and the fact that most performances are free of charge.
“You can swim in the pool at Pink Shell and strike up a conversation with Earl Bud Lee,” MacPhee says. “It’s a very laid-back, authentic experience.”
How to Experience Island Hopper
This year’s festival will take place across 23 venues in Lee County, with most performances being free. However, a few ticketed events are available, including:
- Jeffrey Steele and the Gulf Coast Symphony at the Florida Repertory Theatre (Sept. 26)
- Kristian Bush, Kassi Ashton, and Shane Profitt at Margaritaville Beach Resort (Sept. 27)
- Scotty McCreery at Pink Shell Beach Resort (Sept. 29)
For tickets, the full lineup, and show dates, visit island-hopperfest.com or download the Island Hopper map. This year’s festival promises to be bigger than ever, offering a chance to experience incredible music, intimate settings, and a laid-back Southwest Florida vibe.
