The inaugural Myrtle Beach Songwriters Festival is set for Nov. 13 and 14, 2026. Third Eye Lens Photography/Provided
MYRTLE BEACH — “Margaritaville!” “Don’t Stop Believin’!” “Wagon Wheel!”
For many Grand Strand area musicians, that’s the feedback they hear from playing gigs in a tourist town. Murrells Inlet-based songwriter Melissa Joiner aims to change that by creating the inaugural Myrtle Beach Songwriters Festival.
“For the past 13 years touring full-time and playing in these great festivals in other states and overseas, I’ve always wondered why we don’t have one in Myrtle Beach,” Joiner said. “We have so many amazing musicians and songwriters here without a platform to show what they can do. We want to prove that this is more than just a cover-song town.”
The Strand has more than 100 venues offering live music on any given weekend, but the beach scene lends itself to visitors calling for familiar sing-along songs and bar owners seeking musicians to fill those requests. The lack of original content on display inspired Joiner to stage the Myrtle Beach Songwriters Festival on Nov. 13 and 14.
The event will feature more than 50 songwriters representing 37 states as well as dozens of locally based artists who will get the chance to put their original work front and center.
“I’ve heard from so many local artists about the pressure to play covers, both from the crowds and the clubs,” said Joiner, a South Alabama-born singer-songwriter who has topped the charts in Europe and played at major venues throughout the U.S. “This festival is about creating a space for an experience, not just background noise.”
Writers in the round
Unlike more traditional music festivals, this one doesn’t feature a main stage surrounded by seating and standing areas. Instead, the Myrtle Beach Songwriters Festival will be held at several small venues in the downtown district surrounding Nance Plaza to provide intimate settings where songwriters and the audience can connect on a different level.
Grand Strand Brewing (819 N. Kings Highway) will have indoor and outdoor stages, while neighbors The Tasting Room on 9th and The Dolly Llama (505 Ninth Ave. North), Winna’s Kitchen (507 Ninth Ave. North), Fresh Brewed Coffee House (933 Broadway St.), First United Methodist Church of Myrtle Beach (901 N. Kings Highway) will also host showcases.
“We wanted to make it a walkable festival so people could go from showcase to showcase for a different experience each place,” Joiner said. “We also wanted to keep it to smaller venues to create the right atmosphere for the songwriters and for the audience.”
More than 50 musicians, some local and some friends Joiner has made while touring far and wide, are on the lineup. They include national artists like Nick Branch, Taylor Landsdale, Roberta Lea, Chris Nelson, Frankie Raye, Bo Roberts and Allison Strong, and local acts Jon Bloch, Scott Rives, Chris Tharp and, of course, Joiner.
“There really is something for everybody, and I think people will like what they hear,” said Joiner, who will serve as the nightcap with her band the Travel Cats for the Nov. 14 show on the outdoor stage at Grand Strand Brewing Company. “There isn’t anything else like this nearby.”
Spreading the love
The Myrtle Beach Songwriters Festival is more than a two-day musical showcase; it’s a year-round fundraiser.
Joiner formed the partnering nonprofit Songs That Save Foundation to offer year-round support to the local music community. The festival, which also benefits Backpack Buddies, boasts the best ticket price you’ll find anywhere: free, with donations accepted.
“Look at any fundraiser event that’s held. Musicians are always the first ones to step up and offer their services,” Joiner said. “But what happens when our local musicians have an emergency situation and need help? We want to be there to support them.”
The Myrtle Beach Songwriters Festival will also hold some educational and participatory programs — an emerging writers showcase for aspiring musicians, an open mic session with a chance to win a spot the main stage, a drum circle for those looking to keep the beat, a children’s showcase and songwriting workshop, and even a poetry slam for non-musicians — making it a one-stop spot for local artists.
“Our motto is ‘artists for artists’ because it all comes from the same place and we all need to support one another,” Joiner said. “For so long we’ve had this vibrant local music scene with no bucket to hold it. I figured I could be part of the problem or part of the solution by putting us on the map for songwriter festivals. If I can bring that to Myrtle Beach, it’s a win for me.”
And for the Strand’s songwriters and song-lovers.
