ACMA Songwriters Showcase at Koreshan State Park

The Friends of Koreshan State Park have partnered with the ACMA (Americana Community Music Association) to present monthly concerts featuring all-original music by talented local artists.

Bring a chair or blanket and settle in for an evening under the stars.  

The ACMA, a Fort Myers–based nonprofit, is dedicated to promoting original music by local singer-songwriters. Each showcase features artists sharing their songs, the stories behind them, and a lifetime of experiences— Prepare for an evening of professional-quality acoustic Americana music, which blends blues, roots, folk, bluegrass, and country. Details:

Tickets: $10 (includes parking) Children under 12 free 

Advance Tickets guarantee entrance. Additional tickets at the gate if space allows.

Schedule: Gates open at 6:30.  Show runs from 7-8:30

Featured songwriters:  Ray Boone,  Bob Williams and   J Michael    

 Ray Boone.  Florida native Ray Boone first arrived in Nashville in the early 80’s. He himself did not come to play music, he came as a music fan and to provide support for his songwriter cousin. His cousin, Larry Boone, was making his mark in country music, as an award winning songwriter and an artist with Mercury Polygram.Fast forward to 2007, Ray returned to Nashville as an award winning outdoor television producer. He produced RFDTV’s “Music and Motors”, featuring Mike Curb’s NASCAR team and young country music stars in the making.

During the making of the TV show Ray was surrounded by songwriters and music makers who encouraged him to write.  As a writer he signed with BMI. When a song he penned himself, “Totch Brown”, about a character from the Florida Everglades was being demoed, independent artist Rickie Lee Tanner decided to cut it on his album “This Here.”  A year later country artist, Jake Clayton cut two of his compositions, “Down with That” and “Old Red Barn.” These can be heard on Jake’s “By the Light of the Moon” CD.

Playing songwriter rounds and developing relationships with other writers and artists is an important part of improving writing skills and melody composition. In 2018, his EP “Native Son” was released after the song “Redland Roads” went viral on YouTube/Facebook. His song and video “Lawman” also went viral with over a million views.

Ray’s Florida roots are a mixture of Country, Americana and a new genre, Tropical Rock. His songs, “Mile Zero” and “Islamorada Rendezvous” have entered the top ten on RadioA1A’s Trop 40 with several other songs from his EP rising on the charts.

Look for his EP Native Son and Island Songs on all the streaming music sites and on YouTube Music.Check. him out at  https://www.rayboone.com

Bob Williams has just released his fifth studio album, The Long Road Home. He began writing songs as soon as he learned his first three chords. Influenced by the folk-rock and country-rock of the era, his sound was shaped by the iconic folk singers of the ’60s and the singer-songwriters of the ’70s. Over the years, Bob’s music has naturally evolved into what’s now known as Americana—a rich blend of roots, folk, country, blues, and everything in between.  Known for sharing the  stories behind his songs, Bob’s writing is personal, heartfelt, irreverent, funny, and sometimes achingly sad. His performances have been described as “a mix of Neil Young and Crazy Horse with solo acoustic Bruce Springsteen.” While Bob might humbly call that a stretch, there’s no denying the raw passion and authenticity that come through in his music. And when he performs familiar cover songs, he makes them distinctly his own—infusing each with his unique style and emotion.
Bob also hosts a video podcast, A Songwriter’s Journey with Bob Williams, where he takes listeners behind the scenes of his creative process. In each episode, he talks about the inspiration behind one of his original songs, how it was written, and then performs an intimate acoustic version.
Over the course of his career, Bob has opened for national touring artists and regularly performed with The Pearl Street Band. His songs have also been recorded and released by other performers.
Beyond the stage, Bob is deeply rooted in the music community. He serves as Vice President of the Americana Community Music Association Generous with his time and talent, Bob is always eager to perform, produce shows, and support fellow musicians. He especially enjoys playing benefit concerts and has donated his music to countless causes over the years. All of Bob’s music is available to stream or download for free on his web site.

 Website: http://www.reverbnation.com/bobwilliams2

J Michael Raised on the mean streets of suburban Miami, he is a classically trained musician from a young age. To pursue rock and roll as a bass player, J Michael gave all that up. Early influences include James Taylor, Carole King and Jim Croce. He was drawn to country and folk rock artists such as Gram Parsons, The Grateful Dead, The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Eagles. Later influences include Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle and Kim Richey. Recently he started performing his own compositions here at ACMA. His songs emanate from times of emotional and personal upheaval.