2026 Bill Withers Festival

The 2026 Bill Withers Festival will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 4:00-9:00 pm, at Bill Withers Plaza, Beckley Intermodal Gateway, Neville Street, Beckley, WV. This annual music festival honors our hometown music legend at the Bill Withers Plaza – in addition to the festival music, vendors, and activities, check out the Bill Withers statue, plus signage highlighting his music career, the statue artist, and project donors. A music pole featuring a few of Bill’s songs, playground instruments, and guitar art are also at the plaza.
Tentative Festival Music Schedule - June 27: Sound & Emcee – Jim Snyder
4:00-4:45 – Heavy Hitters band
5:00-5:15 – Lovely Day Creative Arts Contest winners – youth awards sponsored by Raleigh County United for Prevention and Bill Withers Committee members.
5:15-5:25 – Youth musicians at side stage
5:30-6:15 - Lady D & MI$$ION
6:30–7:15 – Jordan Dyer Trio
7:30-8:10 – The Redd’s (Nancy & her father Reggie knew Bill) with Jordan Dyer Trio
8:20-8:55 – DJ Brian Nabors dance party– sponsored by Inner Sunshine Arts
Thanks to our Festival Sponsors:
City of Beckley/Beckley Events
Visit So. WV’s Raleigh County Tourism Marketing Committee
Transcend Realty - Brian Brown
Beckley Area Foundation
Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce Foundation
WV Adult Education
Info: Beckley Events – Trish.Morgan@beckley.gov; 304-256-1776
For vendor/booth application, coming soon in the Beckley.Events “documents”. Spaces are limited.
Also, on Sunday, June 28, see the “Still Bill” documentary at The Raleigh Playhouse & Theatre at 2 pm.
A brief bio highlighting Bill’s career: William Harrison Withers Jr. "Bill Withers" (July 4, 1938 – March 30, 2020) was more than just a singer and songwriter; he was an iconic figure in American music. Hailing from Slab Fork, WV, and raised in Beckley, Bill touched hearts around the world with his timeless hits like “Ain’t No Sunshine”, “Lean on Me”, “Lovely Day”, “Grandma’s Hands”, “Use Me”, and “Just the Two of Us”. Over his 18-year career, his music resonated with generations, earning him three Grammy Awards out of nine nominations. His remarkable journey was beautifully captured in the 2009 theatrical release documentary *Still Bill*. Bill was honored with inductions into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015, and both “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Lean on Me” found their place in the Grammy Hall of Fame.