South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has named Camden native and Nashville-based songwriter Patrick Davis as the state’s new Poet Laureate, one of its highest cultural honors. Established in 1934, the role recognizes individuals whose work has made a lasting impact on South Carolina’s artistic and literary identity, with a mission to promote poetry, storytelling and creative expression across the state.
Davis, long respected within Nashville’s songwriting community, has built a career rooted in storytelling that reflects his South Carolina upbringing. A native of Camden, his work consistently draws from the landscapes, traditions and people that shaped him, even as his career has taken him far beyond state lines. Despite his time in Nashville, Davis has maintained close ties to home, regularly returning to Camden where he and his wife, Lauren Jenkins Davis, remain active in the local cultural community.
The appointment reflects both his artistic output and his broader contributions to the state’s cultural life. His most recent album, ‘Carolina When I Die,' stands as a direct tribute to his roots, capturing a journey that ultimately circles back to where it began. Raised by a working musician and influenced early on by artists like The Beatles and James Taylor, Davis developed a deep appreciation for songwriting that continues to define his work.
Beyond music, Davis has played an active role in South Carolina’s civic and creative communities. He serves on the boards of the Carolina Cup and Colonial Cup and is the creator and host of Southern Songwriters with Patrick Davis, a television series on PBS and South Carolina ETV that highlights the region’s musical heritage through performances and conversations with fellow writers.
As Poet Laureate, Davis is expected to focus on elevating the voices of poets, songwriters and storytellers across the state, while encouraging a deeper connection to the written and spoken word. His appointment signals a continuation of his long-standing commitment to telling South Carolina’s stories—now with a platform that reaches even further.
