
Legendary Marco Island entertainers Raiford Starke and JRobert join Rita Youngman during the Florida Songwriter Showcase. Photos by Scott H. Shook
The famous line from Forrest Gump about life being like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get, could almost have been written about JRobert’s Florida Songwriter Showcase that is enjoying a 13-week run at the Marco Players Theatre.
It’s true that like a box of chocolates, the Songwriter Showcase offers its audience incredible variety. On June 26, the full house was entertained by venerable piano man Mitch Peters, whose grandfatherly charm and sensitive songwriting had the crowd eating out of

Hall of Famer Frank Thomas commanded the stage during his mini-set during the jam session.
But unlike that box of chocolates, JRobert’s audience knows one thing it’s always going to get—top notch original songwriting with a Florida theme. While it would certainly be worth the price of admission if the show ended after the opening set by the featured artist, the good news is that the show is

Mitch Peters entertains the crowd.
The weekly featured artist performs from 7-8 and the jam session lasts until 10 PM, when “puppeteer” JRobert has to pull in the strings, leaving the audience wanting for more.
The good news is that there is more. The Florida Songwriter Showcase is

Florida Songwriter Showcase maestro JRobert with his prized vintage Martin guitar.
JRobert pulled Marco

Seminole Indian Rita Youngman touched the audience with her original songwriting about life on the reservation.
One talented act after another took center stage for their “mini-set.”
Roy Schneider is up next on Monday, July 10, and Nate Martin will be the headliner Monday, July 17. Tickets are available by calling 239-642-7270 or by visiting TheMarcoPlayers.com.
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