GULF SHORES — Island music echoed through the walls of the Erie H. Meyer Civic Center as the Meeting of the Minds featured event "Music 101" took place on Oct. 25.

The event was led by musicians Donny Brewer, Eric Erdman and Brendan Mayer. They talked through their musical backgrounds and performed for a crowd full of Jimmy Buffett fans eager to learn more about life as a musician.

While the group is made up of all individual performers, they played a few songs they wrote together and ended the show with a blues cover of "Margaritaville" by Jimmy Buffett as the audience sang along.

Two audience members, Connie Hall and Cindi Gallagher, said they have attended the convention for years at its previous location in Key West, Florida, and traveled over 900 miles from Ocean City, Maryland, after it was announced the event would be moving to Gulf Shores.

"I have been coming to this for at least 20 years, and I was disappointed at first about the location change because I love Key West," Hall said. "But, because of Jimmy's passing and this being his home ground, I really think it is fate that it moved this year."

Hall said her favorite part of the convention is the opportunity to spend quality time with the musicians in a more intimate setting, as the event is typically spread throughout an entire week and offers the chance to see the artists in smaller venues.

"Getting to meet all of the celebrities one-on-one like these guys, they really take the time to talk to you and they have such a good heart," Hall said. "It's so great that we are able to tell them how good they are and how much we enjoy their music."

Gallagher said while this is her first time visiting Gulf Shores, she has enjoyed getting to know the island and experiencing the event in a new place.

"You know, I heard about this from her [Hall], but I would travel anywhere," Gallagher said. "Today was amazing, and I think it's absolutely wonderful to be able to listen to this kind of music."

Hall said she always enjoys seeing Brewer perform and has enjoyed getting to know new artists through his shows.

"Listening to Donny Brewer is always awesome, and I love Eric and Brendan who is young and starting out. He has a good career ahead of him, too," Hall said. "And I really liked that blues version of Margaritaville at the end, it gets in your blood and you almost want to get up there and start dancing with them.