National Songwriters

Jason Grove has always loved music. He started on the piano as a child, and then worked his way up to the banjo, and then picked up the guitar. One of his first musical loves was Bluegrass music, but as he got older, he found himself attracted to the West Coast sounds of Haggard, Owens, and Yoakam. His other influences include Garth Brooks, Jimmy Buffett, and James Taylor. Those influences can be heard in some of his original work. He still loves and writes traditional country music. For Jason, country isn’t just a way of life, it’s everything he is!

PBSF SONGWRITERS SCHEDULE – Pensacola Beach

** All events are free, except where noted. Schedule is subject to change; please check back for updates.

Kensie Coppin is a powerhouse singer and songwriter born and raised in Texas. She lives in Nashville, TN, spending her time there writing with award-winning & critically acclaimed songwriters, and building a catalog of songs of her own that are being recorded by other up-and-coming artists. Kensie just received the #1 song in Texas for 3 weeks in a row across 3 different charts performed by Kin Faux. Kensie also won the CMA of Texas Artist Of The Year for 2022. Kensie has her own music out and continues to release new music alongside her career of performing, touring, recording, and writing songs for herself and other artists. Kensie has many aspirations, and has accomplished much in her 20-plus-year career thus far. She has been her own boss for over a decade, and fights for the independent artist and songwriter. She continues to expand her horizons, including touring internationally. Co-writers include : D. Vincent Williams, James LeBlanc, Phillip White, Curly Putnam, Dale Dodson, Jeff Silvey, Bernie Nelson, Lance Carpenter, Big Vinny, Barrett Baber, Helene Cronin, Scott Sean White, Emma Zinck, Blue Foley, Trick Savage & more.

PBSF SONGWRITERS SCHEDULE – Pensacola

Pensaola Beach

** All events are free, except where noted. Schedule is subject to change, please check back for updates.

Troy Castellano, originally from Minnesota, now living and working in Nashville, TN, is a dynamic songwriter and music artist known for his rich blend of rock, country, and Americana. His music resonates with heartfelt lyrics, catchy melodies, and a soulful, gritty vocal style that captivates listeners. Castellano’s songs often reflect personal experiences and universal themes of love, resilience, and the human spirit, making his music both relatable and deeply moving. In his rock-influenced tracks, Troy showcases energetic guitar riffs and powerful rhythms that drive his songs forward, creating an electrifying atmosphere. His country roots shine through in the storytelling aspect of his music, where each song unfolds like a narrative, drawing listeners into vivid scenes and emotions. The Americana influence adds a layer of authenticity and timelessness, blending traditional sounds with contemporary elements. Troy Castellano’s versatility as an artist is evident in his ability to seamlessly transition between genres, delivering performances that are both passionate and polished. Whether performing solo or with a band, his live shows are known for their high energy and emotional depth, leaving a lasting impression on audiences.

PBSF PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE – Pensacola Beach

** All events are free, except where noted. Schedule is subject to change, please check back for updates.

2024 PBSF NATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION WINNER: JIM PASQUALE HORIZON AWARD

Kiersi Joli has been playing harmonica since the age of 6. At age 9, she became the youngest Hohner Harmonica endorser & still holds that title today! At 11 years old, she also became the only endorser for Dyna-mic harmonica microphones. Now at 16, Kiersi impresses every time she takes the stage with her undeniable tone & skillful harmonica paired with her dynamic vocals that clearly surpass her age. She is already a seasoned performer & has been invited to play alongside Jamey Johnson & The Loving Mary Band. Kiersi has also performed on “Show-Me-St.Louis” TV show & on Heidi Newfield’s “Barfly Sessions”. Kiersi performs a variety of musical genres but primarily stays in the Blues, Blues rock & Americana area. Drawing inspiration from a variety of musical influences while demonstrating an obvious connection to some genuine soulful blues, Kiersi is beginning to bring her own sound to the stage that is drawing in a fan base of all ages! Kiersi continues to evolve as a musician as she is also doing session harmonica work for other artists & as a singer/songwriter/performer.

Kiersi was the artist chosen to represent the Nashville Blues & Roots Alliance to perform at The Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis and at the Women In Blues Showcase in January 2024.

Kiersi has been invited to work with Banner Music Publishing and has been involved in co-writes with their staff songwriters & their takeover songwriter rounds. She also is a regular with Music Row Freakshow at The Local & numerous other songwriters rounds & showcases throughout the Nashville area.  Additionally, in May ‘24 Kiersi was invited to perform at the Opelika, AL songwriter Fest and the North Central Women In Blues fest in Gainesville FL. She was also a featured artist on Friday, Saturday & Sunday at the Black Mountain Blues Festival in North Carolina 7/12-14. Kiersi has just released “Hey There Blues” & will be releasing award winning song “Took A Man” this August ‘24 & more to follow!

BSF Performance Schedule – Pensacola Beach

** All events are free, except where noted. Schedule is subject to change, please check back for updates.

2024 PBSF NATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION WINNER – FIRST PLACE: GOSPEL

Naomie, originally from Connecticut and now based in Pennsylvania with her family, is a devoted wife and mother of four. From a young age in a Haitian household, she honed her musical talents, mastering piano, violin, and guitar.

Influenced by artists like Kim Walker-Smith and Yolanda Adams, Naomie’s music blends contemporary styles with soulful classics, reflecting her journey as a single mother balancing IT work and a call to worship leadership. Her debut EP, “Diamond in the Rough,” released in 2021, shares her faith journey and was followed by impactful singles like “Someday” and “Show Up.”

Nominated for WVIU Music Awards and with songs reaching a global audience, Naomie’s heartfelt lyrics and melodies continue to resonate. Her latest release, “Holy (My heart is singing),” showcases her growth as an artist. With humility and gratitude, Naomie looks forward to sharing more uplifting music and making a lasting impact in the industry.

As she welcomes a new addition to her family, Naomie remains dedicated to her craft, aiming to inspire others through her music.

PBSF PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

** All events are free, except where noted. Schedule is subject to change, please check back for updates.

Kaitlyn Croker kicked off a busy 2025 with the release of “Trouble I Chase,” a single that hit the Music Row chart and got played at countless venues and events she has performed at throughout the year.  Based in Nashville, Kaitlyn was again at CMA Fest this year and has been adding more miles to her live show travels.  In May, she performed two days in Miami, and then day three saw her at Florida’s southernmost tip, performing at the Key West Songwriters Festival.  Other stops in 2025 have included Texas, Alabama, and Georgia, among others.  She continues writing, recording, and releasing new music and her streaming numbers and social media following reflect the upward trend as she reaches audiences near and far with her passionate lyrics and performances.  Find more at www.KaitlynCroker.com.

Performance Schedule – Performance

** All events are free, except where noted. Schedule is subject to change, please check back for updates.

Jim McCormick is a Grammy and CMA nominated, multi-platinum selling songwriter who has scored three #1 songs atop Billboard’s Country Airplay chart: Gabby Barrett’s “The Good Ones,” which spent two weeks at #1; Jason Aldean’s “Take A Little Ride,” which spent 3 weeks at the top; and Brantley Gilbert’s “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do.”

Barrett’s “The Good Ones” received the 2021 Song of the Year nomination from the Country Music Association and won Favorite Country Song at the American Music Awards that year.

Other recent releases co-written by McCormick include Luke Bryan’s “All My Dreaming There,” Jason Aldean’s “Lights Go Out,” Dalton Dover’s “Here About a Girl,” Harry Connick Jr’s “I Do Like We Do,” Kelly Clarkson’s “Minute,” Jon Pardi’s “Lucky Tonight,” Charlie Pride’s “Standing In My Way,” Payton Smith’s “Need You to Not,” and Trace Adkins’ “Welcome To” and “Jesus and Jones.” His songs have also been recorded by Tim McGraw, Jamey Johnson, Keith Urban, Randy Travis, Trisha Yearwood, Ronnie Milsap, Tyler Farr, Cody Johnson, Matt Stell, Dalton Dover, James Barker, Shenandoah, Smash Mouth, Samantha Fish, and many others.

He has served as a board governor and vice-president for the Recording Academy and on the board of the Nashville Songwriters Association International. He is also an alumnus of Nashville’s Leadership Music.

McCormick is a former decade long member of the faculty of Loyola University New Orleans where he taught “The Craft and Business of Songwriting.” He’s also lectured extensively on songwriting at Berkelee College of Music, Georgetown, Vanderbilt, Belmont and Tulane, as well as GrammyPro and NSAI events.

He is a recipient of the Academy of American Poets’ “Poetry Prize” as well at the Cutting Edge Music Conference’s “Lifetime Achievement Award.”

He earned a Bachelor’s degree in English from Georgetown University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from the University of New Orleans. A native New Orleanian, he divides his time between his two homes of Nashville and New Orleans.

PBSF PERFORMANCES – Pensacola Beach

** All events are free, except where noted. Schedule is subject to change, please check back for updates.

With the fuel of both Southern rock and country music influences pumping through his veins, it’s no surprise that CJ Solar is a natural at fusing the two worlds. Combine that with Delta blues, compliments of a childhood spent in Cajun country, and you’ve got one badass up-and-comer, with the pure musical talent and vocal chops to back him up. Already turning heads throughout Nashville, Baton Rouge, and beyond, having been named one of the“New Artists You Need To Know” by Rolling Stone Country, Solar says the driving force behind his untimely success isn’t fame nor fortune – it’s just a diehard infatuation with the music he grew up on.

When not out touring the country headlining his own shows and opening for such artists as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hank Jr, and Gary Allan, he continues to write and record. He’s released 3 EPs and 2022’s debut full-length “The Future’s Neon” comprised songs he’s co-written. He’s also penned songs for artists such as Jason Aldean, Jerrod Niemann, and Justin Moore, while also writing number one singles for Jameson Rodgers with 2020’s “Some Girls” and Morgan Wallen’s breakout hit “Up Down” featuring Florida Georgia Line.

PBSF Performance Schedule – Pensacola

** All events are free, except where noted. Schedule is subject to change, please check back for updates.