The second annual Martha’s Vineyard Songwriters Festival last weekend combined pop and country BMI hit-makers in exclusive live music lineups and intimate settings, adopting the overwhelmingly successful approach of the perennially popular Key West Songwriters Festival. The event is designed to introduce top BMI pop and country songwriters not only to a wider audience, but to one another as well. While attendees soaked up performances from the composers behind the hits, the performers took advantage of the retreat-like setting and established new creative partnerships. This year’s festival included Keith Stegall, Evan Stevens, Thom Schuyler, Kylie Sackley, Shane Stevens, Tom Douglas and Jeff Cohen sharing the Union Chapel stage with rising writers Courtney Jaye, Arama Mara, Toby Lightman, Mayaeni and Laura Warshauer.

It’s Just That Way: Keith Stegall and Kylie Sackley play their hit ballad. — Peter Simon

— Peter Simon