PERDIDO KEY, Fla. - The Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival will celebrate its 30th birthday in style, presenting a memorable lineup of Grammy-winning performers and up-and-coming hit-makers Nov. 6-16 at venues in Perdido Key, Pensacola and along the Gulf Coast.

The festival is a perennial favorite for music-lovers eager to hear songwriters not only perform but also discuss how and why they wrote some of the world's greatest hits. The music covers the gamut, with hits written for everyone from George Jones to George Strait, Jimmy Buffet, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

The event is based at the sprawling Flora-Bama Lounge astride the Florida-Alabama line, but numerous venues will be used as more than 200 songwriters perform there and in other nearby locations - everywhere from quiet listening rooms to raucous honkytonks. Both Billboard and American Songwriters magazines have recognized the granddaddy of songwriter festivals. It's been called one of the Top 20 Events by the Southeast Tourism Society.

What's not to love? Great music performed by colorful story-tellers near idyllic Gulf of Mexico beaches in the peak of fall.

The performers include such noted songwriters as Jim McBride, whose songs have been hits for Alan Jackson, Conway Twitty and Tammy Cochran; Austin Church, whose songs have been recorded by Jimmy Buffett and Lyle Lovett; and Scotty Emerick, who writes for and performs with Toby Keith, on such hits as "Get Drunk and Be Somebody," "A Little Too Late," and "I Love this Bar."

The writers cover several eras of country music. Dean Dillon, who has written 50 songs performed by the legendary George Strait, is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Jamey Johnson, who writes for himself and others, has won Country Music Association Awards as well as performed with Kid Rock and Willie Nelson.

Another featured artist will be singer Johnny Lee, whose "Lookin For Love" in the movie "Urban Cowboy" became a country classic. Lee, who has been touring in Texas much of this year, also has scored country hits with "Hey Bartender," "Rollin' Lonely" and more.

The festival includes a tribute on 6:30 Nov. 6 to the late Larry Butler of Pensacola, who wrote songs and produced music for Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, Waylon Jennings and many others. Butler was a big reason that many country musicians travel between Nashville and the Flora-Bama, a legendary beach bar and the recent setting for a free Kenny Chesney concert.

Most shows are free; a few venues charge a modest cover fee.

The festival is named after the late Frank Brown, who was night watchman at the Flora-Bama for 28 years before retiring at age 91.

For more information on performers and schedules, visit www.fbisf.com>

ABOUT PERDIDO KEY, FLA.

Located on a narrow strip of snow white beaches and crystal blue waters, Perdido Key is between Pensacola, Fla. and Orange Beach, Ala.  No more than a few hundred yards wide in most places, Perdido Key stretches some 16 miles, with almost 60 percent located in federal or state parks - making it one of the last remaining unblemished stretches of wilderness in the Florida Panhandle. For information, visit www.visitperdido.com.