Inaugural Myrtle Beach Songwriters Festival Announced for November 2026

Music lovers across the Grand Strand will have a major new cultural gathering to look forward to this fall, as the inaugural Myrtle Beach Songwriters Festival is scheduled to take place on Friday, Nov. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026. Hosted by the Songs That Save Foundation, the multi-genre event will bring more than 50 songwriters from across the nation to perform original music in downtown Myrtle Beach.

The festival was brought together by Melissa Joiner, a local songwriter and touring musician who leads the Songs That Save Foundation. Organizers selected the final lineup from a competitive pool of more than 300 artist entries. The selected performers represent 37 states—including California, Colorado, New Jersey, and Kentucky—alongside established local artists. Beyond bringing original music to the coast, Joiner noted that creating a shared space for musicians at every stage of their careers is a primary goal, allowing emerging songwriters with limited experience to learn from, network with, and perform alongside veteran touring acts.

The artist lineup spans country, blues, beach, jazz, and other genres, featuring songwriters with notable national and regional backgrounds. Performer Bo Roberts of Perdido Key, Florida, a former lead guitar player and band leader for Hank Williams Jr., brings a catalog of hit songs written for Willie Nelson, Kenny Chesney, Jamey Johnson, and Gene Wilson. Artist Trey Calloway, who holds a home in Myrtle Beach and is originally from Cornelius, North Carolina, comes to the event having performed at the Grand Ole Opry, The Bluebird Café, and the Carolina Country Music Fest. Calloway was named Texas Country Music Association Songwriter of the Year and earned Josie Music Awards for Song of the Year and Social Impact Music Video of the Year.

Additional featured performers include local duo Rick Strickland and Lesa Hudson, recipients of 27 Carolina Beach Music Awards and creators of 34 No. 1 beach radio hits; Florida singer-songwriter Frankie Raye; and Allison Strong of Union City, New Jersey, a 2026 Kerrville New Folk Festival finalist and New Jersey State Council on the Arts Music Fellow.

All main festival performances will take place across seven venues situated within walking distance of each other in downtown Myrtle Beach. The participating sites include the indoor and outdoor stages at Grand Strand Brewing Company, Fresh Brewed Coffee House, Winna’s Kitchen, The Tasting Room on 9th, The Dolly Llama, and the First Methodist Church of Myrtle Beach, which will host a dedicated Kids Corner for visiting families.

Ahead of the main November event, organizers are staging two "Road to the Festival Showcase" preview concerts to highlight local songwriters in the lineup. Both showcase events will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The first showcase takes place on Aug. 22, featuring six songwriters at Local Eat Drink Celebrate in Pawleys Island. The second showcase takes place on Sept. 19, bringing six additional artists to Landshark Bar and Grill at Barefoot in North Myrtle Beach.

In addition to expanding the local arts scene, the festival incorporates a direct charitable impact for Horry County families. Proceeds from the 2026 festival will support Backpack Buddies, a local organization that delivers nearly 3,000 food packages each week to school children in need across the county.

Community members, visitors, and potential volunteers interested in reviewing performer bios, checking daily schedules, or signing up to assist during festival weekend can find details at myrtlebeachsongwritersfestival.com or by contacting info@myhorrynews.com.