The award-winning Treasure Coast Songwriters Festival, is coming back to Martin County – and it’s just around the corner!
This award-winning, four-day celebration is all about live music, storytelling, and community. The free festival is open to the public and will take place Thursday, May 29 through Sunday, June 1, 2025 in beautiful Port Salerno.
Presented in partnership with iHeartMedia’s WAVE 92.7 (the Treasure Coast’s #1 station for new country) and BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.), this year’s event will feature more than 40 performances. These acclaimed songwriters will be sharing the stories behind their chart-topping hits at two of Martin County’s beloved waterfront venues: Pirates Cove Resort and Marina and The Pearl Waterfront Bar. You can read more about it in this blog post!
Let’s take a moment to meet some of the talent! For full artis bios, visit the WAVE 92.7 website.
Aaron Barker
Aaron Barker, best known for his hits written for George Strait, has had a long and varied career. Born in San Antonio, he got his first guitar at age six and began performing at school and church events. His early poetry, influenced by his red-green color blindness, became the basis for his first songs.
As a young man, Barker joined The American Peddlers as a bass player and lead singer, gaining a reputation as a top entertainer in Lone Star State. After more than a decade with the band, he left in 1988 to pursue songwriting. A tape of his songs reached George Strait’s manager, leading to Strait recording Barker’s “Baby Blue,” which became a #1 hit in 1988. Strait continued to record Barker’s songs, including “Love Without End, Amen” and “Easy Come, Easy Go.”
Signed by Atlantic Records, Barker released “The Taste of Freedom” in 1992 and reestablished himself as an entertainer. He released more solo albums in 1998, 2002, and 2006, but his most widely heard work remains the jingles he wrote for Blue Bell Ice Cream.
Barker’s songs were also recorded by other artists, including Doug Supernaw, Lonestar, and Clay Walker, resulting in multiple Top 10 hits. His work has been recorded by Tyler Farr, Trace Adkins, Willie Nelson, and more. In recognition of his contributions, Barker was inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2016.
Bridgette Tatum
It’s hard to deny the pure talent and passion for her craft that is clearly the driving force behind many of artist Bridgette Tatum’s high profile career milestones.
In 2009, this native of Florence, South Carolina, co-wrote the Most Played Song on Country radio stations across the United States. A tremendous achievement for any songwriter, the song “She’s Country” (recorded and released by Platinum-selling country superstar Jason Aldean), held the #1 position on the chart for two consecutive weeks, reached two million plays, and outsold every genres ringtones, all of which are rare accomplishments, as well.
In 2010, Tatum’s song, “Loud” was selected as the Official Theme Song for ACC Football’s 2010 Season. This fast-paced anthem celebrates the excitement and energy of ACC Football, captured in a raucous music video that was seen in all ACC Markets, resulting in exposure for Bridgette totaling over 27 million households.
Add to these accolades Tatum’s own Album released on iTunes, her single releases (I like my Cowboy’s Dirty, That’s Love Y’all, Hillbilly Rockstar) and her current Gretchen Wilson single (Summertime Town from “Ready to get Rowdy”), her recent Randy Houser (Fired Up 2016), Kristy Lee Cook (Lookin’ for a Cowgirl), The Farm, and George Clinton cuts, you have the makings of a woman building a sustainable music career for a lifetime of success. Bridgette has also produced “The Lockets”, a new fresh duo sound for country music, and currently is in production as well as a member of Uncle Si & The Sicotics.
Nelson Cade
In February 2020, Nelson turned all four chairs on the NBC hit show “The Voice” with his version of Stevie Ray Vaughn’s Pride and Joy. He went on to make it to the top 20 on John Legend’s team when Covid-19 took the world for a ride. So he took a ride back east and hit the road, performing at various venues, picking up more traction at each stop.
Born and raised in Orange County, CA, Nelson Cade III began his musical journey in first grade with classical training in piano. His training continued strong into middle school when he was accepted into the Orange County School of the Arts. Around junior year in high school, Nelson transferred to Anaheim High, where he picked up and taught himself guitar while walking back and forth to school. The singing came soon after that.
Nelson only recently quit his job to pursue music full-time as his professional career. The seed was planted while walking by a farmers’ market in downtown Los Angeles, guitar in hand. He was stopped by one of the market’s organizers and asked if he wanted a gig there. Since that day, his appearances on “The Voice” beamed his talents into households across the nation.
Nelson is multi-GENRE-ational- a lover of all different sounds and styles of music. You can catch him playing a variety of genres at his shows, such as blues, pop, folk, indie-rock, and oldies, as well as some of his originals mixed in. His recently released debut single, FREEDOM, is streaming everywhere!