Hear the Stories Behind the Hits at the Frank Brown Songwriters Festival This November

You know the lyrics. You’ve sung along in the car, turned up the radio, and made memories with these songs playing in the background. This November, come meet some of the people who helped bring them to life.

The 42nd Annual Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival returns November 5–15, 2026, bringing more than 200 nationally acclaimed songwriters to venues along the Florida–Alabama Gulf Coast. With intimate performances, stories behind the songs, and special concerts, it’s a chance to experience familiar music in a whole new way.

Why a Songwriters Festival Belongs on Your Calendar

There’s something special about hearing a song from the person who wrote it. A lyric you’ve heard a hundred times can take on new meaning when you learn about the moment, memory, or conversation that inspired it. That connection is at the heart of the Frank Brown Songwriters’ Festival. Make plans to hear a favorite writer, leave room to discover someone new, and give yourself time to enjoy the performances between your headline picks. You might arrive for a song you already love and leave with a new favorite.

With hundreds of performances, here are a few highlights of the festival.

Wood Box Heroes at Vinyl Music Hall

The festival celebration also heads to downtown Pensacola, where Wood Box Heroes will perform at Vinyl Music Hall on Sunday, November 8, with special guests Marla Cannon-Goodman and Emma Zinck. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show begins at 7 p.m. The acoustic group blends country, bluegrass, blues, jazz, rock, and classical influences, bringing together Josh Martin, Jenee Fleenor, Barry Bales, and Matt Menefee. Add this show to your itinerary for a night that showcases both songwriting and musicianship. Ticket proceeds benefit Gulf Coast Kid’s House, a children’s advocacy center serving Escambia County. It’s an evening of music with a meaningful community purpose.

Hillary Lindsey Joins Cary Barlowe and Gordie Sampson

Put Thursday, November 12, on your calendar for a Flora-Bama show featuring Hillary Lindsey, Cary Barlowe, and Gordie Sampson. Lindsey’s songwriting credits include Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush,” and Keith Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color.” Her catalog also includes “American Honey,” co-written with Cary Barlowe and Shane Stevens. For listeners who love the stories behind familiar radio hits, this is a lineup worth planning around. It’s an opportunity to connect the names in the songwriting credits with the music that has become part of your life. Visit the festival website for the latest show time and admission details.

Craig Campbell Closes Out the Festival at Flora-Bama

Finish the festival with a night of country music as Craig Campbell and his full band take over the Flora-Bama Tent Stage on Sunday, November 15. Known for songs including “Family Man,” “Fish,” “Keep Them Kisses Comin’,” and “Outskirts of Heaven,” Campbell brings a familiar catalog to the festival finale. Shelby Raye opens the evening from 5:30–6:15 p.m., with Campbell taking the stage at 6:30 p.m. The tent opens at 5 p.m., and seating is first come, first served.

Advance tickets are listed at $20 before checkout fees, with day-of-show tickets listed at $25, cash only onsite. This show is for ages 18 and older, and proceeds benefit the Frank Brown Foundation for Music. Gather your concert crew and help us close out the festival at Flora-Bama.

A Festival with Flora-Bama Roots

Flora-Bama’s connection to the festival runs deeper than its stages. The event honors the late Frank Brown, who worked as Flora-Bama’s night watchman for 28 years. His kindness, integrity, and character remain part of the festival’s legacy.

While you’re here, take time to enjoy the place that helped inspire this annual celebration. Settle in for a songwriter performance, reconnect with friends, and make another music memory at the line.

Plan Your November Music Getaway

Whether you come for one special show or stay for several days, build your trip around the performances you most want to hear. Many festival shows are free, while others require tickets or a cover charge, so check each event before heading out.

Visit frankbrownsongwriters.com for the current schedule and admission information. Also, download the festival app through any app store to keep up to date with all festival information.