FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Media contact: Mitchelle Stephenson, 410-972-7724 or mwstephenson@annapolis.gov
Rams Head, BMI to Bring ‘Annapolis Songwriters Festival’ to Annapolis Venues and City Dock September 14-17, 2023
Annapolis, MD (September 6, 2023): The 2nd Annapolis Songwriters Festival will be held September 14 to 17, 2023 at venues around Annapolis, including historic City Dock. The four-day event will feature nationally-known and acclaimed singers and songwriters at ticketed events as well as free music showcases. The event is modeled after the renowned Key West Songwriters Festival, now in its 27th year.
Over the course of four days, concerts will be held at locations including Maryland Hall, Rams Head OnStage and, with the amazing views over Spa Creek, at City Dock. Performers will include the following headliners:
Michelle Branch at Maryland Hall Thursday, September 14
Amanda Shires at Rams Head On Stage, September 14
Blondie with Thomas Dolby at City Dock, on Friday, September 15
James McMurtry at Rams Head OnStage on Friday, September 15
Songwriters on the Severn Watermark Cruise Friday, September 15, 2023
Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives at Maryland Hall on Saturday, September 16
K. Michelle at Rams Head On Stage Saturday, September 16
Patty Griffin at Maryland Hall Sunday, September 17
Leann Rimes at City Dock Sunday, September 17
"Last year was amazing," said Mayor Gavin Buckley. "The way this festival uses the beauty of this historic City as a backdrop and integrates music into venues large and small is no small feat for the organizers. I applaud and thank them for making this a signature event for the City of Annapolis."
The event is presented by Rams Head, in conjunction with BMI, Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, and the City of Annapolis. The four days of music will include concerts featuring national headliners and many free showcases and concerts on docks and in hotels, parks, and bars. Tickets are on sale now through the official website: www.annapolissongwritersfestival.com.
There will be parking restrictions in the area of City Dock for the festival. Parking restrictions will be in place on Dock Street from the Harbormaster’s office to Susan Campbell Park. There will be additional parking restrictions on Prince George Street from Craig Street to the water. Closest parking to downtown is the new Hillman Garage (0.2 mi to City Dock), with entrances from either Duke of Gloucester or Gorman Street.
The free showcases are scheduled to take place in a walkable area, with unique stops along the way to feature all the extraordinary hidden gems of Annapolis. Concertgoers can plan to experience restaurants, shops, and landmarks while they make their way along “songwriters trail” from Maryland Hall to City Dock in downtown Annapolis.
The festival will kick off on Thursday, September 14th, with Striking Matches, Amanda Shires and Jeffrey Steele at 5 p.m. on the Ram’s Head Patio and Sara Jean Kelley and Carly Winter at 5 p.m. at Red Red Wine on Main Street. The evening continues with free showcases at several venues around town. Music-filled days on Friday, September 15th and Saturday, September 16th will end with several options for concertgoers to enjoy both free and ticketed events. The grand finale will take place at City Dock with chart-topping country superstar Leann Rimes.
The hugely successful Key West Songwriters Festival, which the Annapolis festival is modeled after, continues to be the largest festival of its kind in the world. Highlighting the specialized craft that is the essence of music, the Annapolis festival aims to give music lovers a chance to get to know the names and faces behind the songs in an up-close and personal setting while showcasing Annapolis as a destination for music lovers.
Facebook & Instagram: @annapolissongwritersfestival
ABOUT RAMS HEAD
Rams Head Group is a family owned & operated restaurant and entertainment company since 1989. Rams Head Group currently owns and operates four restaurant locations in Maryland: Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis, MD; Rams Head Roadhouse in Crownsville, MD; Rams Head Shore House in Stevensville, MD; Rams Head Dockside in Glen Burnie, MD and a fifth location in Florida: Rams Head Southernmost in Key West, FL.
Additionally, Rams Head Presents owns and operates Rams Head On Stage in Annapolis, Maryland which has been recognized as the Top Club under 500 seats in the world by Pollstar Magazine. Rams Head also provides programming for Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts in Annapolis, Maryland and Key West Theater and The Key West Amphitheater in Key West, Florida.
Rams Head Presents purchased the Key West Songwriters Festival in 2021. For additional information visit ramsheadgroup.com / ramsheadpresents.com
ABOUT BMI
BMI was founded in 1939 by forward-thinkers who wanted to represent songwriters in emerging genres, like jazz, blues and country, and protect the public performances of their music. Operating on a non-profit-making basis, BMI is now the largest music rights organization in the U.S. and is still nurturing new talent and new music. Additional information at BMI.com.
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