By Lori Leath Miller
Some of the songs you’ve sung along to for years are coming to life in a whole new way — right here in Destin.
The second annual Destin Songwriter Festival returns Oct. 24-25, bringing two unforgettable days of music, stories and some of country music’s most recognizable songs to stages along the Destin Harbor and at The Alice.
This isn’t just a concert. It’s a rare opportunity to hear the people who actually wrote the hits perform their songs and share the stories, inspiration and moments that brought them to life. The weekend will feature intimate acoustic songwriter rounds, free performances at popular Destin Harbor venues and special ticketed experiences — all against one of the most beautiful backdrops anywhere.
Free performances will take place throughout the weekend at Boathouse Oyster Bar, SkyBar at The Edge and The Edge Seafood Restaurant. Most side-stage performances are family-friendly, although SkyBar is 21 and older.
Leading this year’s impressive lineup is six-time Grammy nominee and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Jeffrey Steele, whose songs have been recorded by Keith Urban, Eric Church, Zac Brown Band, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts and others. His chart-topping credits include songs you’ll instantly recognize: “What Hurts the Most,” “My Wish” and “Raise ’Em Up.”
And the hitmakers don’t stop there.
Also appearing are Terri Jo Box, whose songwriting credits include Lainey Wilson’s “Hillbilly Hippie” and Ashley McBryde and Trisha Yearwood’s “Bible and a .44”; Carolyn Dawn Johnson, writer of Chely Wright’s No. 1 hit “Single White Female” and her own hit “Complicated”; and Bridgette Tatum, best known for co-writing Jason Aldean’s “She’s Country.”
Saturday’s ticketed Main Stage will be located directly in front of SkyBar at The Edge, with performances scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. Bring your own chairs, settle in along the harbor and enjoy an afternoon and evening filled with songs you know — performed by the people who wrote them. General admission tickets are $30, with a limited number of premium group tables also available.
And Sunday night brings an entirely different — and especially meaningful — festival experience.
The festival moves to The Alice, Destin’s waterfront event venue on Calhoun Avenue, for an intimate VIP Stage experience. The exclusive evening will bring festival headliners together with emerging “Next of Nashville” artists for an up-close night of songs, stories and special collaborations.
Adding an especially personal hometown connection will be the official premiere of country artist Jessie G’s “Something Blue” music video, scheduled for 6:15 p.m. The deeply personal song, written by Jessie G and Matt Wynn, tells the true story of my good friend and local Kristin Sullivan and the special bond between a father and daughter. Bringing that story even closer to home, the video was filmed with local participants and produced right here in Destin by The Heal Reel — making its premiere at The Alice a true celebration of local people, local storytelling and Nashville-caliber music coming together.
The evening continues with a “Female Power Round” featuring headliners Terri Jo Box, Bridgette Tatum and Carolyn Dawn Johnson, followed by a solo performance from headliner Jeffrey Steele.
Access to The Alice is available through a separate Sunday VIP ticket, with individual tickets and a limited number of 10-person VIP tables offered.
From hearing a familiar hit performed by the person who first put pen to paper, to discovering a rising Nashville songwriter before everyone else knows the name, the Destin Songwriter Festival promises the kind of musical moments you simply can’t get from an ordinary concert.
Add the Destin Harbor, fall on the Emerald Coast and two days of incredible songwriting talent, and this is one October weekend music lovers won’t want to miss.
Oct. 24-25 | Destin Harbor & The Alice
For the complete lineup, schedule and tickets, visit DestinSongwriterFestival.com.
