More Than 200 Songwriters Head to the Gulf Coast for 42nd Frank Brown Festival Nov. 5-15

PERDIDO KEY, Fla. — The people behind the songs will take the stage across the Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast next month as the 42nd annual Frank Brown Festival, formally the Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival, brings more than 200 nationally acclaimed songwriters to the region for 11 days of live music, storytelling and songwriter rounds, Nov. 5-15.

The lineup ranges from Grammy Award winners to emerging artists. Shows during the opening stretch, Nov. 5-8, will be spread across multiple Gulf Coast venues, while most performances from Nov. 9-15 will be held at festival headquarters, the Flora-Bama, on the state line between Orange Beach and Perdido Key.

Festival at a glance

• What: 42nd annual Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival
• When: Thursday, Nov. 5, through Sunday, Nov. 15
• Where: Venues along the Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast Nov. 5-8; most shows Nov. 9-15 at the Flora-Bama, 17401 Perdido Key Drive
• Performers: More than 200 songwriters, from Grammy winners to up-and-coming writers
• Admission: Many shows are free; some venues and shows charge a cover or require a ticket
• Information: frankbrownsongwriters.com or 850-492-7664; the festival also offers a mobile app

The stories behind the songs

A songwriters festival works differently from a typical concert. Rather than a band running through a polished set, the stage usually holds a small group of writers seated side by side in what is known as a songwriter round. They take turns playing their own songs, often stripped down to a guitar or piano, and explain where the songs came from.

That format gives audiences the chance to hear familiar hits from the people who wrote them, along with the inspiration, personal experiences and unexpected moments that shaped the lyrics. Many of the writers have penned songs made famous by other artists, so a single round can include radio hits listeners never knew were written by the person sitting a few feet away.

The shows tend to be intimate. Performances take place in bars, restaurants and small rooms where the crowd can hear every word, and the festival’s songwriters are selected each year by a committee that produces the event.

Who was Frank Brown?

The festival is named for Frank Brown, known to regulars as “Mr. Frank,” who worked as the Flora-Bama’s night watchman for 28 years. He was often the last person performers saw at closing time. Brown retired at 91 and died in 1988 at age 93. His story was featured on Paul Harvey’s syndicated radio program “The Rest of the Story.”

The event was created by the late Flora-Bama owner Joe Gilchrist to honor Brown and the songwriters whose names often go uncredited. Gilchrist, who bought the Flora-Bama property in 1978 and turned it into one of the Gulf Coast’s best-known music venues, came to be known as the “Patron Saint of Songwriters.” He died in May 2022 at age 80. The festival has continued for more than four decades, making it one of the longest-running events of its kind.

Supporting music education

The festival also supports music education through the Frank Brown Foundation for Music. Proceeds from the festival, together with sponsorships and donations, help fund scholarships and educational programs meant to encourage creativity and enrich students’ lives through music.

Free shows and ticketed events

Many performances are free, which has long been part of the festival’s appeal. Some venues and shows, however, charge a cover at the door or require a ticket in advance. Because the schedule spans 11 days and multiple locations, fans should check the festival’s website or mobile app for the latest lineup, venue list and any admission requirements before heading out.

A few tips for festivalgoers:

• Arrive early for popular rounds. Many venues are small, and seating fills quickly.
• Keep conversation to a minimum during sets. Songwriter rounds depend on the audience listening closely.
• Plan rides in advance. The Flora-Bama and other venues along Perdido Key Drive and in Orange Beach can see heavy traffic on festival weekends.
• Check the schedule daily, since lineups and times can change.

A November tradition after a hard fall

The festival arrives as the coast continues to recover from Hurricane Isaias, which forced the cancellation of the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores in early October. The Flora-Bama reopened a day after the storm, and the songwriters festival’s return gives area restaurants, bars and lodging another chance to welcome visitors this fall.

Gulf Shores previewed the festival in September with a free Frank Brown Songwriters Showcase at Gulf Place as part of its Sunset Series on the Town Green, featuring The Wilson Brothers, Mobile songwriter Johnny Hayes and Nashville hit writer Craig Campbell.

For the full schedule and ticket information, visit frankbrownsongwriters.com or call 850-492-7664.