Lanier Islands Resort Brings Three Days of Songs, Scenery, and Storytelling with Songwriters at the Lake Music Festival

Editorial Brief
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Lanier Islands Resort is hosting the Songwriters at the Lake Music Festival from November 13 to 15, featuring over 20 songwriters across eight venues. The festival includes performances by the Drew Parker Band and Chuck Leavell, with tickets available for individual concerts or an all-access pass. Proceeds from ticket sales will support local charities, and the event aims to offer a unique experience combining music, storytelling, and scenic views.

EDITORIAL INSIGHT: Context, industry insight and market perspectives of this news story

This upcoming festival at Lanier Islands Resort signals a notable addition to the region’s live music calendar, offering a blend of established songwriting talent and lakeside hospitality. While the event is designed to appeal to both dedicated fans and casual attendees, its format and line-up reflect a broader trend towards more intimate, narrative-driven music experiences that have gained popularity in recent years.

For the local hospitality and tourism sector, the three-day festival is likely to provide a valuable boost as the autumn season winds down. By bringing high-profile artists and audiences to the area, the event also helps reinforce Lanier Islands’ positioning as a year-round destination beyond its traditional summer peak. The involvement of charitable partners adds a community element, aligning with the wider movement among regional events to support local causes.

Story Ideas
Human interest

Cultural Significance of Songwriter Festivals: A Growing Trend

The rise of songwriter festivals like the Songwriters at the Lake Music Festival reflects a growing cultural trend, offering audiences a chance to engage with the creative process behind famous songs and explore the stories behind the music.

Target audience
culture-arts
Story potential
6/10
Economic impact

Economic Boost for Buford: Lanier Islands Resort Hosts Songwriters Festival

The Songwriters at the Lake Music Festival is expected to provide an economic boost to Buford by attracting tourists and increasing spending in the area. This could have significant implications for local businesses and the hospitality sector.

Target audience
regional-news
Story potential
7/10
Press Release

BUFORD, GA - October 22, 2026

The curtain is about to rise on a first-of-its-kind musical event at Lanier Islands Resort. From November 13 to 15, music lovers and more than 20 celebrated songwriters will gather at the lakeside destination for three days of songs, scenery, and storytelling.

Spread across eight venues, the Songwriters at the Lake Music Festival will offer a range of experiences, from intimate and interactive to spectacular and show-stopping.

All-access package tickets remain for the three-day event at $129 per guest – granting admission to every show all weekend long.

Organizers have also opened tickets to the public for two headliner events, hosted at Peachtree Pointe Amphitheater. Friday night’s show will feature the Drew Parker Band, with an appearance from Joanna Cotten of the Eric Church Band, for $49 per person. Saturday night’s headliner event will showcase the talents of Chuck Leavell, famed keyboardist for The Allman Brothers and The Rolling Stones, along with a gifted group of friends, including Randall Bramblett, Jimmy Hall, Greg Barnhill, and others, for $69 per person.

“You’d be hard-pressed to find another songwriter festival with as many A-list songwriters as we have assembled,” said Jody Jackson, Executive Director of Songwriters ATL – the event’s producer. “Saturday’s headliner event will feature several former members of The Allman Brothers Band, as well as rock royalty – the band leader of The Rolling Stones – Chuck Leavell. We’re excited to kick things off with a Friday night concert featuring Georgia musician Drew Parker, who wrote the Grammy-nominated ‘Doin’ This’ and CMA-nominated ‘Forever After All’ for Luke Combs. Drew recently released his own single, ‘Blame Jesus,’ featuring Steven Curtis Chapman, and he regularly collaborates with the likes of Zac Brown Band, HARDY, and Blake Shelton. After making numerous Grand Ole Opry appearances, we’re honored to welcome him to the Songwriters at the Lake stage. We’re hoping for great fall weather that weekend, but – just in case – Lanier Islands Resort has a wealth of Plan B indoor venues, so we can pivot easily and still provide a top-notch experience for all involved – musicians and attendees alike.”

Some highlights from the Songwriters at the Lake Music Festival include:

Friday, November 13: Seven shows on various stages throughout the day, including the Drew Parker Band headliner concert at 6 p.m. at Peachtree Pointe Amphitheater.

$49 wristband grants the wearer access to all Friday shows.

Saturday, November 14: Nine shows on various stages throughout the day, including the Chuck Leavell & Friends headliner concert at 6 p.m. at Peachtree Pointe Amphitheater.

$69 wristband grants the wearer access to all Saturday shows.

Sunday, November 15: Exclusive to All-Access Package ticket holders, the grand finale of the festival will showcase three shows with a Gospel sound – at 10 a.m. on the Legacy Pointe Lawn, 11:30 a.m. at the Chapel on Lanier, and 12:30-2:30 p.m. at Peachtree Pointe Amphitheater with multiple artists bidding a fond musical farewell until next year’s show.

“If you love good music, great stories, and beautiful views, this is the music festival for you,” said Matthew Bowling, President of Lanier Islands Resort. “While many of the musicians in the lineup are incredible talents in their own right, you may not recognize all of their names – but you will recognize many of the songs they’ve written on behalf of some of rock and country music’s greatest recording artists. Songs like Garth Brooks’ award-winning ‘The Dance,’ Luke Bryan’s ‘Most People Are Good,’ Kenny Chesney’s ‘She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy,’ John Michael Montgomery’s ‘I Swear,’ and so many more. As a rapidly growing genre of music festivals, songwriter events offer an opportunity to learn the stories behind the songs we all know and love. It’s right in line with the unique and memorable experiences we strive to provide for our guests year-round.”

Guests can purchase the All-Shows Pass to the three-day festival or wristbands for the Drew Parker Band and Chuck Leavell & Friends concerts at https://songwritersatl.com/tickets/.

A portion of ticket sales proceeds will benefit Georgia Mountain Food Bank, Jarrard Burch Songwriter Foundation, and Amped Kids Music Foundation.

Reservations for Legacy Lodge, Legacy Villas, and the LakeHouses at Legacy can be made at https://www.lanierislands.com/special-events/songwriter-festival/ or by calling 770-945-8787.

Lanier Islands Resort is 45 miles north of Atlanta at 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway in Buford.

To explore amenities and other future events, visit www.LanierIslands.com.

Notes to editors

About Lanier Islands Resort: Nestled less than 45 miles north of Atlanta along the shores of Lake Lanier, Lanier Islands Resort is one of the Southeast’s premier lakeside destinations. Operated by the Williams family for three generations, the Islands is proud to serve an ever-expanding number of individuals, families, wedding parties, and corporations with its captivating collection of accommodations, event venues, and attractions. Each year, the award-winning destination welcomes more than 1M visitors and delivers over $100M in economic impact to Georgia. With more than a dozen indoor and waterfront venues, Lanier Islands Resort has earned numerous regional and national accolades for its meeting facilities, wedding venues, and recreational experiences. The resort has been recognized as a top meeting destination with a Readers’ Choice Award from ConventionSouth magazine, regularly appears on The Knot’s Best of Weddings list, and has been honored by Georgia Business Journal as a Best of Georgia Vacation Destination. Its scenic waterfront Legacy Golf Course is ranked among the Top Five Public Golf Courses in Georgia by GolfPass and was named the Best Round of Golf in Atlanta by The Atlantan magazine. For more information about the Georgia lakeside resort, its accommodations, its amenities, and upcoming events, visit www.LanierIslands.com. To stay up to date on the latest news, accommodation packages, and upcoming events, guests can follow the resort on Facebook @lanierislands, Instagram @lanierislands, TikTok @lanier_islands, and LinkedIn @Lake-Lanier-Islands-Resort.

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