Songwriters at Play host Steve Key will share the Puffers stage with Scandinavian folk-rocker Ann-Marita, and country music phenom Derek James. They’ll swap songs in-the-round, Nashville style.
Singer-songwriter Ann-Marita Garsed is an artist who transcends genres, borders, and generations. Her winding life path began in rural Norway, then it led her to Sweden, to Iowa, on to Los Angeles, and Australia, then back to California. With three solo albums released independently, Ann-Marita has traveled far and wide, armed with her acoustic guitar, playing anywhere from renowned festivals, to clubs, coffeehouses, and makeshift stages on flatbed trucks. She has a soulful country rock singing style like Linda Ronstadt and Shelby Lynne, and a storytelling ability influenced by Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson. https://annmarita.com/
California boy Derek James is a singer-songwriter who is pioneering his own sound dubbed “Coastal Country.” His compositions fuse his passion for country artists like Kenny Chesney and Jake Owen with pop acts like The Beach Boys and Eagles. While studying engineering at Cal Poly, Derek began writing songs, playing local bars, and fronting a band called Grand Ave. After graduating, he continued as a solo act, and plans a move to Nashville this fall. Catch a rising star! https://www.derekjmusic.com/
Steve Key is an award-winning songwriter, performer and recording artist, best known as the writer of “33, 45, 78 (Record Time)” recorded by country music star Kathy Mattea. He recorded for New York’s Fast Folk label, which is now part of the Folkways collection at the Smithsonian. In his 14 years on the Central Coast, he’s played the Live Oak Festival, and hosted hundreds of shows under the banner of Songwriters at Play. His latest album is called “How I Learned to Drink”. https://stevekey.com/
