Greg Rowles Legacy Theater Headlines Myrtle Beach Entertainment Experience

When I first started coming to Myrtle Beach more than three decades ago, during the day I would split my time between the golf courses and the beaches, enjoying every moment. When evening came, I would head to one of the area's more than 2,000 restaurants before returning back to my accommodations.

It wasn't until I discovered The Carolina Opry that I realized one of the true charms of Myrtle Beach — its thriving entertainment scene.

Calvin Gilmore opened The Carolina Opry in 1986, pioneering a new era of live entertainment in Myrtle Beach. Since then, it has continuously offered captivating and entertaining performances, night after night. Thanks to the phenomenal success of Mr. Gilmore's theater, other entertainment venues emerged over the decades.

Now, places such as The Alabama Theatre, Legends in Concert, Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, GTS Theatre, Broadway Theater and more offer a truly awe-inspiring variety of evening entertainment depending on your mood.

Let me assure you that over the years, I have attended most of these shows and have walked away delighted every single time. 

Starting Summer with Free Entertainment

For our family summer vacation this year, we started with several hours at the beach, followed by indulging in free performances at Barefoot Landing and Broadway at the Beach, which offer evening entertainment throughout the summer.

We particularly loved our evening at Barefoot Landing, where we watched a four-piece band play American classics on a beautifully positioned stage overlooking the lake. We spent a wonderful evening relaxing in complimentary beach chairs with our feet in the grass, listening to great classics while admiring the sunset.

Next, we had brunch at the House of Blues, which offers its Gospel Brunch on select Sundays. Everyone claps their hands and sings along in an electric atmosphere while enjoying a delicious buffet. It is a very pleasant way to spend a Sunday morning. 

Try it—you won't be disappointed!

Our Visit to Greg Rowles Legacy Theatre

The highlight of this year's vacation was finally getting to see a show at the Greg Rowles Legacy Theatre, the state-of-the-art venue opened in 2024 by Greg Rowles, a former Star Search winner and longtime beloved performer in Myrtle Beach.

This venue is absolutely beautiful, featuring comfortable seating for up to 800 people. There isn't a bad seat in the house. On each side of the stage, two screens bring the audience even closer to the performers. You can grab your favorite drink at the refreshment bar along with a few treats before settling in for the show.

You will also be charmed by the warm and helpful hospitality staff. From the moment you arrive, the entire staff welcomes you with a smile and impeccable service, whether at Will Call, the restaurant or while escorting you to your seat.

All of this is overseen by Courtney Rowles, Director of Hospitality and Greg's daughter.

We attended two shows during our visit.

A Night of Fleetwood Mac

On the first night, we saw Rumours, a tribute to the legendary band Fleetwood Mac. Before the show, Greg Rowles — even though he wasn't performing that night — walked through the aisles to greet the audience and give everyone a warm welcome.

We spent a magical evening watching the band perform Fleetwood Mac's greatest hits. 

The lead singer portraying Stevie Nicks showcased the full quality and power of her voice, while the other musicians also delivered remarkable performances, especially those portraying Christine McVie on keyboards and Mick Fleetwood on drums. The latter gave us a particularly memorable solo.

The show obviously made an impression on us. Since then, we have been enjoying Fleetwood Mac songs and listening to them in our car!

Music and Memories with Greg Rowles

A few days later, we returned to attend "Music and Memories", starring Greg Rowles and his nine-piece group of musicians and singers, The Legacy Band.

If you love live music, the Greg Rowles Legacy Theatre is certainly a place you will want to experience. There is no lip-syncing and no backing tracks here. You will be captivated by this group of seasoned musicians who have mastered their craft and blend together perfectly.

From the drummer to the bassist, keyboardist, pianist, guitarist and backup singers, every single one of them is remarkable.

Greg Rowles also promises there are elements of the show that will be different every time you come, so you will never see exactly the same show twice. This is a testament to the excellence of the musicians and Greg Rowles' immense talent.

More than 35 years after I originally fell in love with Myrtle Beach for the golf and the beaches. Today, I know there is so much more to enjoy once the sun goes down.

So, if you love live music and entertainment, Myrtle Beach is the place to go in the beautiful state of South Carolina — my home away from home!