Artists 2026

CAS HALEY

Step aside, imitators — Cas Haley is the real-deal troubadour who showed up barefoot, guitar in hand, and turned the American songbook inside out. With a voice soaked in soul and sunshine, and a groove that rides the rail between back-porch blues and island vibrations, Haley doesn’t just perform — he testifies.His sound? Think Sam Cooke on a front porch in Kingston, with a Stratocaster and a lifetime of stories to tell. Cas blends reggae, southern soul, Delta blues, and dusty Americana with the kind of authenticity you can’t fake. Every phrase he sings carries aweight of lived-in truth, wrapped in melodies that sway like a hammock on a Texas breeze.But don’t get it twisted — Cas ain’t just a crooner. He’s a writer, a storyteller, a builder of songs that hit the heartland hips in equal measure. And whether he’s reworking a classic or unveiling something brand-new, the connection he makes with an audience is as electric as a summer storm.

America first caught a glimpse of his magic on America’s Got Talent, but that was just the opening riff. Since then, he’s crisscrossed the globe, shared the stage with legends, and carved out a corner of the musical universe where roots are revered and rhythm is religion. Cas Haley is tapping into something older, wilder, and far more soulful — the pulse of real music, played from the heart and meant to be felt.

TED BOWNE

Since 2003, Ted Bowne has been writing, recording, and touring with the band Passafire as lead vocalist and guitarist. Recently he’s been performing songs from the extensive Passafire catalog in a stripped down acoustic style for crowds nationwide and giving the music new life with altered versions of the songs fans of the band know and love. Peppering in the occasional obscure or unexpected cover, Ted’s solo show is a good time for everyone in any environment. Get lost in a looper jam or sing along to your favorite Passafire tune. Ted is sure to bring the vibes.

GATOR NATE

Gator Nate Augustus brings unmistakable Florida soul to C-KeyTiki, blending swamp-born grooves, coastal storytelling, and an easygoing island spirit. His music feels pulled straight from the backroads and waterways of the Everglades—equal parts grit, humor, and heart—where front-porch jams turn into dockside sing-alongs as the sun goes down.

With songs that celebrate simple living, good company, and life near the water, Gator Nate delivers a sound that fits perfectly in Cedar Key: relaxed, rootsy, and just wild enough to keep things interesting.

STONEY BANKS

Hold on to your hats because Stoney Banks is not your average songwriter – he’s a genre-bending tornado tearing through multiple music scenes.  This multi-talented singer/songwriter doesn’t just bring a twang to Country; he cranks up the heat with strong Reggae rhythms and tosses in some Hip Hop vibes for good measure.

Having earned his stripes as one of Nashville’s rising stars, Stoney Banks is no stranger to the music scene. His versatility shines through as he has written and toured with an eclectic mix of acts, ranging from the Dirty Heads to the down-home charm of Big Smo, and rubbing shoulders with too many top country and rock acts to even list. Stoney is all about breaking boundaries and creating music that defies easy classification.

Now, here’s the real scoop – you’ll be able to say you discovered Stoney Banks right here at CkeyTiki!  Brace yourself for an experience like no other, where every note is a testament to Stoney’s uniqueness. Get ready to belt out lyrics to songs you didn’t even know existed but won’t be able to forget!

FLIP FLOP REPUBLIC

Step into the sun-soaked world of Flip Flop Republic, the rock and reggae troubadours from the vibrant music city of Tallahassee, FL. Their musical journey began in Cedar Key, where FFR snagged one of their very first gigs. What started as a humble exchange of tunes for beer has blossomed into a tapestry of incredible memories and lifelong friendships, all centered around the enchanting island of Cedar Key.

The heart of Flip Flop Republic beats with the diverse roots of its members, spanning from the soulful sounds of Mississippi to the lively beats of Miami and the sun-soaked melodies of St. Maarten. Each note and rhythm in their music carries the essence of these places, creating a unique sonic blend.

Their debut album set the scene with beachy reggae tunes that resonated in the Trop Rock genre, making waves on the charts. As they evolved, the band’s latest album, “Physical Science,” erupted onto the scene claiming the #1 spot on the iTunes Reggae chart and securing the #2 position on Amazon Reggae Best Sellers maintaining a strong presence in the international/world music, consistently ranking in the top 25 online platforms.

UKULELE RUSS

A native son of New England, professional ukulele player, and natural blonde, Ukulele Russ turned his wandering eye northward. After touring on and off with booze hall bands and B-list rap troops for several years, he packed his things and made the move to Alaska.  He settled outside Fairbanks city limits, bought a compact car and hit the streets of “Jefferson’s Folly” to hunt for a job with only 6 dollars left to his name. He was a man on a mission and broke.

Unable to comprehend how the ukulele could be seen as anything other than stringed testosterone, Russ set out to expand people’s minds and open their hearts to the subtle sweetness of what Shakespeare often referred to as “those bitchin’ little Hawaiian guitars.” By locking himself away in his dark, tiny cabin he has developed his own unique style of “ukuleleing,” discovering that they can in fact be used to create music other than the songs you hear at the Honolulu airport, and he has been capturing audiences’ attention ever since.

BEMI ALLEN

Bemi Allen is a prolific singer-songwriter whose musical depth is impossible to overlook. With roots spanning reggae, soul, and Americana, her sound is a rich fusion of feel-good grooves and soulful storytelling. She has been electrifying stages for over 13 years and has sharpened her voice, her writing, and her unmistakable presence on stage.

Her debut album, Be Free, showcases the full breadth of her artistry, delivering 12 warm, uplifting, and emotionally resonant tracks that highlight her gift for honest narration.

Whether she’s delivering a tender ballad or a sun-kissed groove, BEMI captivates audiences with her soulful vocals, exquisite compositions, and unmistakably authentic spirit. Her music is a perfect match for the island energy of C-KeyTiki Fest, where her vibrant artistry and heartfelt presence will shine.

JOE DOWNING

Joe Downing is a Trop Rock Recording Artist and Nashville Songwriter that knows how to Rock & Roll. His first full length album “Songs From The Gulf” was nominated for Album Of The Year from the Trop Rock Music Association in 2021. His song “YOLO” was nominated for Single Of The Year by the Trop Rock Music Association and Joe has been nominated for the Horizon Award recognizing him as a rising talent in the genre.

Downing grew up in Ohio listening to everything from the Motown sound to the popular recording artists of today. He believes in the theory that great art can inspire great art and admits a wide range of influences such as: Sam Cooke, Tom Petty, Jim Croce, Jimmy Buffett, Bob Marley, Jack Johnson, David Bowie and Van Morrison.   Joe’s soulful vocals and his groovy melodies make him an instant hit, no matter the venue. “Whether I’m playing for one person or thousands, I always try to give it my all, so that when the audience walks away, they say: ‘That Joe Downing guy. I’m going to remember him.’”

JIM ASBELL

Welcome Jim Asbell to C-Key Tiki Fest 2026 for the first time! Jim will be playing acoustic set to get you jumpin!

Jim Asbell has been spreading tropical vibes from St. Martin to San Diego, turning every stage into a beach party. With a salty mix of original trop-rock tunes and island-flavored favorites. Jim delivers the soundtrack to your next getaway—no passport required. His fans go by Tropiholics, get ready to get wasted on Trop Rock!

NATTI LOVE JOYS

The Natti Love Joys deliver feel-good roots reggae with soul, harmony, and heart. Led by Kingston-born bassist Jati Allen (formerly of The Congos), powerhouse British vocalist Marla Allen (formerly of the Love Joys), and the electrifying Bemi Allen, the group blends classic Jamaican grooves with uplifting modern energy. Festival favorites from all over the US, they bring deep basslines, radiant vocals, and pure positive vibrations that move hearts and feet alike.

MATT DAUGHTRY

Matt blends reggae rhythm, rock grit, and soulful melodies into a sound built for sunshine. His tracks—like “Good Energy,” “Make Change,” and “Worth Your Time”—carry the warmth of his roots and the fire of his influences. A Nashville artist with a feel-good, groove-heavy style, he’s taking the Ckey Tiki Fest 2026 stage with nothing but positive energy.

JERRY DIAZ

The Godfather of Trop Rock is bringing island vibes and Texas soul to the stage — just him, a guitar, and a lifetime of salty stories. From Crystal Beach to Key West, Jerry Diaz has been writing and singing the soundtrack to coastal living since ’92. Founder of Meeting of the Minds and a pioneer of Trop Rock, Jerry’s acoustic set is a breezy escape filled with original tunes, classic covers, and that perfect mix of sun, sand, and song.

THE BEACH BLONDES

The Beach Blondes—Sharone LeMieux and Lilah Breaux—are a powerhouse acoustic duo blending Louisiana spice with Florida sunshine into a soulful Gulf Coast gumbo. Their infectious energy, bluesy grooves, and feel-good stories create a vibe as breezy as the shoreline and as fun as a crawfish boil.

Sharone LeMieux is a seasoned force of nature, delivering blues, jazz, and rock with grit, grace, and a voice shaped by a life lived loud and full.

Lilah Breaux is a rising singer-songwriter with an incredible 800-song catalog. Her gift for crafting heartfelt, smile-making tunes sets her apart wherever she plays.

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TODD SPARKS

Todd Sparks brings pure Gulf Coast sunshine to every stage he touches. A longtime favorite on the beach-bar and festival circuit, Todd blends saltwater country, coastal Americana, and feel-good Trop Rock into a laid-back soundtrack of life on the water. With catchy originals, warm vocals, and a natural storyteller’s charm, he turns every show into a barefoot good-time hang. At C-Key Tiki Fest, Todd Sparks is bringing the vibes, the laughs, and the songs that feel like a cold drink and a perfect sunset.

MONALLO

Monallo is a songwriter, former environmental scientist, amateur beach bum, aspiring boat captain, and award-winning musician whose journey has been shaped by resilience—first picking up a guitar after a near-fatal accident at 16, then overcoming the loss of his voice at 23 to return stronger than ever.

His music blends coastal folk vibes with heartfelt lyrics, warm melodies, and vivid imagery, equally suited for festival stages or beachside sunsets. In 2024, he released his third EP Songs from the Sand and received the TRMA Horizon Award, followed in 2025 by a collaboration with Grammy-nominated artist G. Love on Moonlight.

Monallo’s live performances are praised as authentic and genuine. From tiki bars in Florida to East Coast festivals, he continues to build a devoted following with his laid-back yet powerful sound, carving out his place as one of today’s most exciting rising voices in coastal-inspired music

STEVE HOPPER

Steve Hopper, Trop Rock Artist from Savannah Tennessee has been bringing music and fun to the Mid-South for more than 20 years. He was born a raised in Tennessee halfway between Memphis and Nashville, just north of Muscle Shoals Alabama. He was influenced by all the music genres that surrounded him and mixed that with his lifelong love for the ocean, not unlike Jimmy Buffett, or Kenny Chesney. He accompanies his vocals with an acoustic guitar and a steel drum.

HOUSTON KEEN

Houston Keen is a self-made artist redefining what it means to thrive in today’s music industry. From humble beginnings in 2006 to headlining stages across the Gulf Coast, his journey is one of grit, resilience, and relentless creativity.

Houston cut his teeth playing bar gigs and balancing late-night shows with early mornings on construction sites to fund his first album, Jenny. In 2017, he took a leap of faith and moved to Austin, Texas, where he immersed himself in the live music capital, sharpening his skills as a performer and independent artist

Now back in Florida, Houston has become a force in the regional music scene, touring relentlessly across the Southeast. With collaborations that include CMA-level talent and a growing catalog of original music, he’s proving that success comes from independence, ingenuity, and connection with fans.

Houston is writing and recording his next project while continuing to tour Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Texas. With no plans to slow down or sign away his freedom, he’s carving his own path and inspiring others to do the same.