When Cliff came to his first KWSWF 21 years ago! He immediately fell in love with the island, and the island fell right back. After playing the KWSF and other shows at some of Key West’s most iconic venues throughout the years. He eventually made Key West his full-time home in 2021. Since then, he has immersed himself into the expansive Key West music scene. He has won multiple Key West Music Awards, including Songwriter of the Year, Country Act of the Year,Solo Act of the Year, and Entertainer of the Year. Cliff’s new album, Shripwreck, was the last album to ever be recorded at Jimmy Buffett’s historic Shrimp Boat Sound Studio before it was closed in 2025. Produced by Dave Brainard and Arlis Albritton, the album is a culmination and testament to the island life he has been living for the past 4 years. Like the ocean tides the songs ebb and flow telling the ups and downs of living life on the rock and on the rocks.

Jesse Rice is a songwriter and artist who has taken home ACM, AMA, CMA, Billboard, BMI, SESAC and Trop Rock Music Awards. This Billboard Top 40- charting artist was also honored to see his co-penned song A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega featured on Ashley McBryde’s Grammy nominated album Girl Going Nowhere.

Originally from South Carolina, he moved to Music City in 2002 and his first #1 came with the co-penned tune “Cruise” by Florida Georgia Line. It has gone on to sell 15 million singles/downloads to date, making it the largest selling country music song of all time and the first country music song ever to receive a Diamond Certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. “Cruise” would also hold the record as Billboard’s longest running #1 single at 24 weeks, and took home ACM, AMA, CMA, Billboard, BMI and SESAC awards, including CMA Single of The Year, Billboard Country Song Of The Year, and SESAC Song Of The Year.

Jesse’s songs have been recorded by artists such as Florida Georgia Line, Nelly, Chase Rice, Kristian Bush of Sugarland, Ashley McBryde and Colt Ford, Robert Randolph, and more.

He’s also co-written with top-talent like Lady A, Dan + Shay, Cole Swindell, Russell Dickerson, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Jelly Roll, Florida Georgia Line, Colt Ford, Sam Hunt and Chase Rice.

He is now currently performing as a touring artist, having launched several successful records called “The Pirate Sessions”. The Pirate Sessions I & II, released in 2012, featured guest appearances by Florida Georgia Line and Chase Rice, and features “Gettin Down In A Pirate Town” which has been streamed over 30 million times across all platforms.

The Pirate Sessions III premiered in 2017 peaking at #5 on the iTunes Country Albums Charts, and featured Michael Ray, Russell Dickerson and Love & Theft. The single from the album, Hope Town, secured regular rotation on Sirius XM’s Radio Margaritaville. The impact of this project not only secured him a performance slot at the 2017 Trop Rock Music Awards, but also resulted in him winning the “Horizon Award” at the ceremony.

Jesse then launched The Pirate Sessions IV in March 2019. The project, once again, sailed Jesse inside the Top-5 on the iTunes Country Album Charts. He also notched his first solo project appearance on the Billboard Country Album Charts Top 40 with this “Hot Shot Debut” on April 1, 2019. The albums single, Go Away Cloud, has spent multiple weeks at #1 on the Radio Trop Rock charts and is still currently featured in regular rotation on Sirius XM’s Radio Margaritaville.

His latest album, The Pirate Sessions V, was released in March of 2023. Immediately upon release, The Pirate Sessions V sailed to #1 on the iTunes Singer-Songwriter charts, where it stayed for over a week, and the lead single “Sand in My Seat” secured regular rotation on SiriusXM Radio Margaritaville, and was named Radio Trop Rock Song Of The Year for 2023.

At the 2023 Trop Rock Music Awards, The Pirate Sessions V album was awarded the prestigious Album Of The Year Award. Additionally, at the 2024 Trop Rock Music Awards, Rice took home honors for Song Of The Year “Bacardiologist” and Male Vocalist of the Year.

He is currently in the process of recording the next installation in his award-winning series- with The Pirate Sessions VI slated to be released in the spring of 2027.

Erica Sunshine Lee is a Nashville-based powerhouse singer-songwriter and international touring artist, blending heartfelt country roots with tropical rock escapism. Called the “Georgia Gypsy” and the “Female Jimmy Buffett,” she has released 11 original albums, written over 68 songs recorded by other Nashville and international artists, and tours relentlessly with 250–300+ shows per year since 2007.

A dominant force in Trop Rock and country, Erica is the 2020–2023 & 2025 TRMA (Tropical Rock Music Association) Female Vocalist/Artist of the Year, Key West Iggies 2025 “Snowbird Musician of the Year” winner, and 5-time TRMA Music Video of the Year recipient (self-producing/directing all, including the viral “One More Time” >1 million views). Her sultry raspy alto channels country Stevie Nicks vibes, with Dolly Parton-level songwriting versatility—delivering sassy, humorous, honest anthems of hope, healing, love, beach life, day-drinking, and women’s empowerment.

She founded the Key West Chick Fest (all-female lineup festival, 2021+), authored children’s books (“Butterfly” & “Billy the Bully”), and advocates fiercely for inspiring women to change the world through music, positivity, and unmatched work ethic.

Hailing from Charleston, SC, Mel Washington blends gospel roots with soulful Americana grit and folk storytelling. Whether it’s a stripped-down acoustic set in a dive bar or a full-band Sunday revival at a beachside venue, Mel’s music cuts through the noise and speaks to the spirit.

A former member of touring rock outfit, “All Get Out” Mel found his solo voice in the tension between faith and doubt, beauty and brokenness — all sung with the weight of someone who’s lived it.

His latest album, Feast or Famine, weaves tales of redemption, heartbreak, and the Carolina coast with raw warmth and unshakable conviction.

Catch him live. Bring your heart. Leave different.

Mike Nash is a performer and songwriter born and raised in Nashville, TN. Unlike most musicians who moved to Nashville to find their way, Mike chose a different path-moving from Nashville to find his professional music beginnings in Cocoa Beach, FL in the early 2000’s. A proven songwriter, solo entertainer and front man for nationally touring Southern Drawl Band, Mike has been making music around the world professionally for over two decades. Mike has shared the big stage with world famous artists such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jimmy Buffett, Charlie Daniels, Eddie Money, David Allen Coe among others. His unique brand of “rockin country with a twist of lime and splash of saltwater distilled in the backwoods of Tennessee” keeps audiences coming back time after time for his lighthearted, fun inducing performances. Helping his fans “forget about life for a while” and enjoy his tales from the tropics with an umbrella drink or two. Mike Nash is a unique songwriter and entertainer who prides himself on a wide variety of songs and styles to entertain even the most critical and a live performance charisma that cannot be missed and won’t soon be forgotten.

Eric Erdman is a guitar slinging troubadour. His lyrics paint stories that are introspective and deep, quirky but palatable. His songs have fresh hooks that somehow draw listeners in like old friends. Eric has penned the theme song for “Drag Race High” , his song “Stone’s Throw” is a hit for the Red Clay Strays (and is featured on both the Strays’ “Moments to Remember” (RIAA Certified Gold) and “Live at The Ryman” albums as well as the CBS’ hit show “The Road”), his song “Caddo County” (with Dave Cobb and The Red Clay Strays is featured on the 2025 Grammy nominated / 2025 AMA nominated “Twisters” soundtrack) . He is the 15X (2010-2024) Lagniappe Awards Solo Musician of the Year, 2021 Southland Music Line Musician of the Year, 5X TRMA Songwriter of the year and co-wrote the 2021 TRMA Song of the Year , “The Wave” and Single of the Year “Family Tree”

Arlis Albritton stepped into the spotlight when Diamond Rio cut "We All Fall Down" on their platinum album Completely. From there, his songs found homes with artists like Julie Roberts, Keith Anderson, Jeff Bates, Parmalee, and John Michael Montgomery. When Jamey Johnson recorded "Good Morning Sunrise" — a song Arlis wrote solo and co-produced — on his Grammy and ACM nominated album The Guitar Song, it marked a defining moment in his career. Luke Bryan then took "Too Damn Young" to new heights on his quadruple-platinum album Tailgates & Tanlines, while his song "Won't Be Lonely Long" for Josh Thompson climbed to #25 on Billboard.

Making waves in the Trop Rock world, Arlis helped pen "Keepin' It Low Key" and "Landsharks at Lagerheads" for Jesse Rice's The Pirate Sessions V. His work with the Vandoliers caught the attention of Rolling Stone and American Songwriter Magazine, particularly tracks like "Cigarettes In The Rain," “Waiting On A Train,” and "Better Run." He's since branched out, writing Christmas tunes for Straight No Chaser and Joshua Ray Walker.

He also co-produced Cliff Cody's album Shipwreck — the last album ever recorded at Jimmy Buffett's legendary Shrimp Boat Studios — a project that holds a special place in Trop Rock history.

These days, you'll find Arlis at the helm of the St. Augustine Songwriters Festival and releasing his own brand of Coastal Americana and Trop Rock music — with his novel, “The Last Storyteller” in the works for good measure. His own song "Better Kind of Blue" landed in the top twenty most requested songs on Trop Rock Radio. Catch his music on any streaming platform or learn more at arlisalbritton.com.

Brian Davis is a singer/songwriter from North Carolina who has stood on stages that range from the small bars of his hometown to almost every arena in the country. He’s had the privilege of sharing the stage with artist like George Jones, Aaron Lewis, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Luke Combs, Michael Ray, Lee Brice and Brantley Gilbert just to name a few. Brian also has songs recorded by Jason Aldean, Lee Brice, Brantley Gilbert, Gretchen Wilson, Tyler Braden, and Tyler Farr among others. He co-wrote the #1 song “One Hell of An Amen by Brantley Gilbert and also the #1 song “Memory I Don’t Mess With” by Lee Brice.

Aaron Hudgins is a country singer-songwriter rooted in Key West, Florida. Originally hailing from McDonough, Georgia, he graduated from Union Grove High School and later studied at Jacksonville State University. Blending heartfelt storytelling with genuine southern charm, Aaron captivates audiences through his live performances and songwriting. Beyond the stage, he often shares glimpses of his personal life and his journey into fatherhood. He’s also been featured on podcasts such as Sit With Kit, where he opens up about his path as an independent artist and the experiences that shape his music.

Aloha Steve Molnar made the move to the Florida Keys and Key West from Hawaii close to a decade ago. With nearly 30 years of experience in Maui, Oahu, and San Diego, he hails originally from the Northeast. A seasoned musician, Steve has been playing pedal steel guitar, dobro, and various slide guitars for over 30 years. His career spans the surf industry and solar energy sales.

Steve draws inspiration from a wide array of musical styles and artists, incorporating the steel guitar into unexpected genres. His lifelong passion for surfing and water sports is a testament to his love for the ocean, which has always been his home—and always will be. Ha and Aloha!

Built in the Rockies and now rooted in the Florida Keys, Pierce August blends mountain-born grit with saltwater soul. His sound lives somewhere between backcountry campfires and late-night dock lights—country storytelling shaped by blues, rock, and the miles in between.

Before music took center stage, Pierce spent his twenties as a golf professional, freestyle snowboard coach, and fly-fishing guide. Songs were written after long days on the river and played at open mics that slowly turned into something more. His Colorado band, Sittin’ on Strings, became a staple of the mountain scene, selling out Belly Up Aspen and opening for Futurebirds in 2024.

Now splitting his time between a flats boat and the stage, Pierce writes about movement, heartbreak, freedom, and the courage to change course.

His debut single, Come Down South, is an invitation to follow the tide—and take the long way home.

Catch him if you can. Stay awhile.