FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Francesca Donlan, Lee County VCB, [email protected] 239-338-3500 Lorin Konchak, MMGY Global, [email protected] 954-815-2156 Leah Lupo, BMI, [email protected] 212-220-3142 THE BEACHES OF FORT MYERS & SANIBEL HOSTS DESTINATION’S FIRST-EVER SONGWRITER FESTIVAL The Island Hopper Songwriter Fest to Feature Exclusive Performances by Nationally Acclaimed Artists in Unique Venues on Sept. 26-28 and Oct. 3-5, 2014 LEE COUNTY, Fla. – July 10, 2014 – The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, known for its stunning natural beauty and southwest Florida charm, invites music lovers to the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest, which will take place over two consecutive weekends, on Sept. 26-28 on Captiva Island, and Oct. 3-5 on Fort Myers Beach. Presented by Broadcast Music, Inc. ® (BMI ®), the largest music rights organization in the U.S., along with partners Clear Channel Media & Entertainment and iHeartRadio, the destination’s first-ever songwriter festival features free performances by nationally acclaimed singer-songwriters at popular island venues. The performers will sing in intimate venues against a backdrop of palm trees and pristine beaches that make the destination a top choice for travelers who want to relax and reconnect with nature. “Our natural beauty has inspired artists for generations,” said Tamara Pigott, executive director of the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB). “This exciting event celebrates that legacy and hopes to inspire more.” Festival-goers will be able to celebrate American roots music while getting a taste of the destination with easy access to performances through complimentary trolley transportation to and from venues, including local favorites ‘Tween Water’s Crow’s Nest, Key Lime Bistro and Mucky Duck on Captiva; as well as Nervous Nellie’s, Smokin’ Oyster Brewery and The Beached Whale on Fort Myers Beach. One of the most special performance venues will be the private home of renowned American painter and graphic artist Robert Rauschenberg on Captiva Island, which will open its doors to the public for the first time exclusively for the festival. An all-star line-up of talent will perform during the festival including GRAMMY®-nominated songwriter Tim James, who penned the number one single “My List” by Toby Keith; Wynn Varble, whose lyrics have been nominated for Song of the Year by the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music; as well as renowned singer-songwriters Phil O’Donnell, Kevn Kinney, Dylan Altman, Marshall Altman, Jeff Cohen, Kristen Kelly, Ruth Collins, Danny Myrick with Megan Linville, George Ducas, Billy Montana, Frank Myers and Loving Mary. “We are so pleased to welcome so much talent to the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest and offer up close access to these storytellers,” said Dan Spears, vice president, industry relations at BMI. “We are delighted to partner with such a beautiful destination to celebrate American music.” Guests interested in attending the festival can find more information and purchase tickets at www.islandhopperfest.com. Visitors can also follow the festival hashtag #islandhopper on Twitter and other social channels. ### About The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel includes Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Boca Grande & Outer Islands, North Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres. The southwest Florida destination goes beyond sun and sand, offering a variety of nature and outdoor, arts and cultural, as well as fun and educational experiences for visitors of all ages. It is a place to kick-back and relax; and a place to rejuvenate the mind and body whether by biking, birding, observing the bottlenose dolphin at play or shelling on Sanibel Island. Fishing enthusiasts will thrive on the miles of coastline and diversity of aquatic life, while history buffs and those who love innovation will enjoy a visit to attractions like the Edison & Ford Winter Estates. Combining history, nature, culture, beauty, culinary invention and unlimited outdoor activities, The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel beckon and inspire. For more information visit www.fortmyers-sanibel.com. About Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Fort Myers Clear Channel Fort Myers owns and operates WBTT, WCKT, WOLZ & WZJZ and is part of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. With 237 million monthly listeners in the U.S., Clear Channel Media and Entertainment has the largest reach of any radio or television outlet in America. Clear Channel Media and Entertainment serves 150 cities through 850 owned radio stations. The company’s radio stations and content can be heard on AM/FM stations, HD digital radio channels, Sirius/XM satellite, on the Internet at iHeartRadio.com and on the company’s radio station websites, on the iHeartRadio mobile application on iPads and smartphones, and used via navigation systems from TomTom, Garmin and others. The company’s operations include radio broadcasting, online and mobile services and products, live concerts and events, syndication, music research services and independent media representation. Clear Channel Media and Entertainment is a division of CC Media Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: CCMO), a leading global media and entertainment company. More information on the company can be found at clearchannel.com, clearchanneloutdoor.com and ccmediaholdings.com. Clear Channel Media + Entertainment of Ft. Myers/Naples/Punta Gorda broadcasts locally on four FM frequencies as well as online. Catch the best radio and online video programs in Southwest Florida on 95.3 The River WOLZ (www.953theriver.com), WCKT Cat Country 107.1 (www.catcountry1071.com), WZJZ Y100 (www.y100florida.com), and WBTT 105.5 The Beat (www.1055thebeat.com About BMI Celebrating 75 years of service to songwriters, composers, music publishers and businesses, Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI®) is a global leader in music rights management, serving as an advocate for the value of music. BMI represents the public performance rights in more than 8.5 million musical works created and owned by more than 600,000 songwriters, composers, and music publishers. The Company negotiates music license agreements and distributes the fees it generates as royalties to its affiliated writers and publishers when their songs are performed in public. In 1939, BMI created a groundbreaking open-door policy becoming the only performing rights organization to welcome and represent the creators of blues, jazz, country, and American roots music. Today, the musical compositions in BMI’s repertoire, from chart toppers to perennial favorites, span all genres of music and are consistently among the most-performed hits of the year. For additional information and the latest BMI news, visit www.bmi.com, follow us on Twitter @BMI or stay connected through Broadcast Music, Inc.’s Facebook page. .