NASHVILLE, Tenn — Love City Country Music Festival, the first-ever country music festival on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, announced today the lineup for a special presentation of a “Hit Makers & Rum Chasers” songwriters showcase happening Friday, May 15 at 7 p.m. at Winston Wells ball field. Presented by Caneel Bay Resort, the festival — named for St. John’s local nickname, “Love City” — runs May 14-16.
Hit songwriters Kent Blazy, Marti Frederiksen, Kendell Marvel, Danny Myrick and special guest songwriters will entertain music fans during a Nashville-style writers round performing and telling the stories behind their biggest hits.
“‘Hit Maker & Rum Chasers’ has been bringing in some of country music’s hottest songwriters to St. Thomas for the past year and half and we are thrilled to have such a powerhouse lineup of writers on the bill for the inaugural Love City Music Festival,” said event promoter Jamie Gladman. “If country music fans have never seen a songwriters showcase, they are in for a real treat,” Gladman continued.
Kent Blazy and Garth Brooks penned together “If Tomorrow Never Comes,” the first No. 1 song for them both. Brooks recorded eight more of their songs on his albums with four capturing the No. 1 spot including “Somewhere Other Than the Night,” “Ain’t Goin’ Down (‘Til the Sun Comes Up),” “It’s Midnight Cinderella,” and “She’s Gonna Make It”. Brooks’ newest CD, “The Lost Sessions,” includes another Blazy and Brooks song, “For a Minute There,” written for their fathers. His songs were also recorded by Kenny Chesney, Terri Clark, Diamond Rio, Clay Walker, Patty Loveless and more. Blazy’s latest No. 1 hit “Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song)” was recorded by Chris Young.
Marti Frederiksen sang lead vocals in several signed alternative and rock bands in the ’80s and ’90s. His songwriting and producer talents caught the attention of legendary A&R executive John Kalodner who introduced him to his now longtime collaborator, Aerosmith. Frederiksen co-wrote and produced the album Just Push Play giving him his first taste of worldwide songwriting success with the hit “Jaded.” This paved the way for writing with Def Leppard and Mick Jagger, then producing “Cry” by Faith Hill and working with Sheryl Crowe, Pink and Eminem.
Fredericksen is an award-winning songwriter and producer crossing all genres with hits including Ozzy Osbourne’s “Dreamer,” Sorry” by Buckcherry, “Love Remains the Same” by Gavin Rossdale, Carrie Underwood’s “Undo It” and “Mama’s Song,” and “Crawling Back to You” by Daughtry.
Kendell Marvel wrote “Twang” for superstar George Strait and landed seven songs on Jake Owen’s first two albums including the hits “Yee Haw,” “Startin’ With Me,” and “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You”. He co-wrote “Right Where I Need To Be” for Gary Allan, “That Lonesome Song,” the title cut on Jamey Johnson’s GRAMMY-nominated album and has had songs recorded by Trace Adkins, Blake Shelton, Joe Diffie, Josh Turner, Randy Houser, Lee Ann Womack, Colt Ford and more.
Danny Myrick has written a number of hits including Craig Morgan’s “International Harvester” and 2009s most played country song, “She’s Country” by Jason Aldean. In 2011 and 2012, Myrick enjoyed radio success with Chris Cagle’s “I Got My County On” and Tim McGraw’s “Truck Yeah.” He has also penned songs for Gloriana, Big and Rich, Montgomery Gentry and Joe Cocker, and co-wrote and co-produced The Farm’s debut CD including its first single “Home Sweet Home”.
Arista Nashville/Sea Gayle recording artist Jerrod Niemann will headline the three-day Love City Country Music Festival with performances from special guests Pat Green, Dallas Smith, Sunny Sweeney and more. See full lineup here.
A two-day pass is available for $120 and includes all shows on Friday and Saturday at a $20 savings. Individual day tickets are $50 for Friday and $90 for Saturday.
The “Ultimate Fan Experience” includes the “Music Festival Bundle” plus a seven-night stay aboard the fully inclusive Yacht Charters which includes a multitude of VIP experiences and amenities.
In addition to the main stage there will be satellite stages throughout downtown Cruz Bay featuring country and local music throughout the weekend.
To purchase festival tickets and packages, and for additional information, please visit lovecitycountrymusicfest.com.
