ABOUT FRANK BROWN SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL OF PENSACOLA GULF SHORES

About us

We love live original music!

The Frank Brown International Songwriter's Festival is truly a labor of love for the founders and organizers. Our love of live music and talented writers is what makes the festival come alive. There are so many outstanding songwriters in our country and this event allows they and their songs to be showcased.

The long history of this event is testament to the award winning talent that visits each year. Come join us in celebrating their music.

2024 Songwriters Roster

THE MISSION OF THE FRANK BROWN INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR MUSIC AND SONGWRITERS' FESTIVAL

501(c)(3) ORGANIZATION

● To reach into schools and enrich the lives of our youth and encourage creativity through music.

● To strengthen our community and business by increasing tourism in the Gulf Coast Region.

● To bring the authors of original music out of the shadows and into the spotlight.

● To make the world a better place by bringing people together with the universal language of music.

In Schools Outreach

About Frank Brown International Foundation For Music

The 501(c)(3) non-profit Frank Brown International Foundation for Music endeavors to have a cultural, educational and economic impact on the Baldwin County, Alabama, and Escambia County, Florida areas and beyond. To these ends, the Foundation produces the nationally recognized Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival on an annual basis. This event brings over 200 of the unsung heroes of the music business together from all over the world. Taking place in November, the Festival provides an economic boost to all sorts of businesses in the area during a traditionally challenging time of year. Recent surveys indicated Festival attendees came from 44 states and contributed over four million dollars to local economies.

Of great importance to and a major objective of the Foundation is “to reach into schools to enrich lives and encourage creativity through music.” A component of this undertaking is the “In Schools Educational Outreach Program” where a professional songwriter with accompanying educational skills goes into the classroom to speak with students of all ages, combining performance as well as interactive question and answer segments about the industry and songwriting as a career. Via a “Writer in Residence” segment, presenters work with students on their own compositions as a path to self-expression, creativity and to develop greater cognitive skills. Programs such as this benefit students in a variety of ways, including building self-esteem, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, Mathematics, English, vocabulary, and positive emotional health. This program is a fun way for students to learn and develop these proficiencies. Per the program Director, Karen E. Reynolds: “Our goal is for the student’s excitement for writing to carry on outside the presentation and allow them to build skills that will benefit them far beyond the classroom.” Provided free by the Foundation, the “In Schools Outreach Program” is offered throughout the year to schools of varying socio-economic levels in the Baldwin County, Cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, AL and Escambia County, FL districts.

Additionally, annual Scholarship monies are provided to area students with an interest in music. Participants in various Foundation/Festival events are provided with discretionary levels of financial support. College bound area high school seniors are asked to submit essays describing the role music plays in their lives and the way they see it shaping their future. The essays are evaluated by a Foundation committee and funding is awarded to students in both Baldwin County, AL and Escambia County, FL.

LARRY BUTLER MEMORIAL MUSIC AWARD

In 2015, Foundation Board member, Peggy Butler established the Larry Butler Memorial Music Award at the University of West Florida in memory of her late husband, a Grammy award winning producer and songwriter and Pensacola, FL native. To date the fund has generated over $250,000 in donations by way of various Frank Brown Songwriters’ Festival events. Per Dr. Sheila Dunn, Chair/Department of Music, “The Larry Butler Memorial Music Award is truly transformational for our music students and for our department.” The Award provides opportunities for students to work with world-class guest artists and to travel to and participate in competitions, conventions and elite music festivals all over the world. The Award has also contributed to department classroom and music studio improvements; has purchased instruments and has provided music lessons for underprivileged youth.

More information is available by contacting Foundation/Festival Director, Andy Haynes – andy@fbisf.com or 251-978-6213.

Our Founder - Joe Gilchrist

Long before Joe built a world famous bar on the beach, he showed his love for community and country. Joe has been honored by Governors for his contributions to music and education. In the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival he has been able to combine both.

One of his partners in the Flora-Bama may have said it best; “Joe always thought a bar was more of a community hub than a bar,” McInnis said. “He along with Pat McClellan built the Flora-Bama into a community center that was more focused on giving back to the community and supporting charities than it was making money. The success came because the Flora-Bama is loved and supported by the community.”

Joe created this event in honor of Frank Brown and to show honor to all the magnificent songwriters who sometimes do not get the credit they deserve
for putting joy in our hearts.

In 2022, we lost Joe. He was always bringing people together through music, all the while striving to make the world a better place.

Who was Frank Brown?

The festival is dedicated to the late Frank Brown, who was night watchman at the Flora~Bama for 28 years, and whose moral values, integrity and strength of character still endure. Mr. Frank, as he was known by all, (was 91 years old when he retired) was featured on Paul Harvey's syndicated radio show, "The Rest of the Story."

At the club, Mr. Frank wore a pair of matched revolvers, slung low, but he didn't have to use them. Usually it was enough to say, "Now, you boys don't have to be like that. What would yo' mamma say?" All the regulars knew and respected him. He was as much a part of the Bama as the sunrise was a part of the night. He didn't worry too much about material things. He thought: success is when a man gets what he wants; happiness is when a man wants what he's got. He was in his glory, just staying around listening to the music.

Frank Brown was the last person the performers saw at closing time. Mr. Frank was 93 years old when he passed away in 1988, and he left a legacy that we can all share. Some say his spirit still lives on in the celebration of the music. He still lives on today in the memories of those who were fortunate enough to have known him. It is those fond memories that drive all of us that are involved in the festival to ensure that it continues year after year. The atmosphere just seems to inspire collaboration and inspiration. A lot of the songwriters are not household names, but their songs are. It is impossible to list or describe the songwriters, musicians and performers that participate in this festival.

It's a living museum, that's what it is."