For more than 40 years songwriters from around the world have flocked to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach so they can perform their songs to thousands of fans. The event is called the Frank Brown Songwriters Festival and now it is receiving national recognition.

The Frank Brown International Songwriters' Festival has been named the second-best outdoor music festival in the nation by Newsweek’s Readers’ Choice Awards. This honor places the festival among the top music events in the United States. The festival, held along the Alabama-Florida coast, is known for its unique venues and focus on talented singer-songwriters. It draws music fans from across the country each year.

The Frank Brown Festival takes place in nightclubs, restaurants, parks, theaters, and tap rooms from Pensacola to Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. Guests often find themselves just feet away from Nashville’s future stars and Muscle Shoals studio veterans. The world-famous Flora-Bama beach bar is one of the festival’s most popular venues.

One thing that makes the festival special is its mission. It helps spotlight underrated talent and raises money for music education in local schools. This combination of music and charity has helped the festival stand out.

The Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards are chosen by both expert panelists and readers. Readers can vote once per category, per day. This year, the Frank Brown Festival finished just behind Milwaukee’s Summerfest, which took first place.

Other top festivals on the list included Lollapalooza in Chicago and South by Southwest in Austin. The Frank Brown International Songwriters' Festival continues to grow, bringing music lovers and artists together on the Gulf Coast.