The Texas Hill Country comes alive with the sounds of Americana, bluegrass and roots music of all varieties, Thursday-Sunday, April 14-17. That’s when the Old Settler’s Music Festival returns to the Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch in Driftwood, Texas, just south of Austin. Now in its 29th year, the festival takes place during what’s usually the height of bluebonnet and wildflower season.
Although Old Settler’s has grown in popularity over the years, it retains a more casual and laid-back down-home Texas vibe than a couple of other notable Austin area music festivals – and that’s part of its allure. Among the diverse array of talented performers on the 2016 lineup are The Accidentals, The Jeff Austin Band, The Band of Heathens, The Black Lillies, Hayes Carll, Rodney Crowell, Dawes, Deer Tick, Della Mae, Jerry Douglas presents The Earls of Leicester, The HillBenders present The Who’s TOMMY: A Bluegrass Opry, Sierra Hull, Sarah Jarosz (who grew up playing the festival’s workshops and smaller stages), The Jayhawks, Lonesome River Band, The Milk Carton Kids, Bob Schneider, Carolyn Wonderland, The Woods Brothers, and more.
In addition to music on four stages, there will be performance workshops, sing-a-longs and impromptu jam sessions, a youth talent competition and children’s activities, a market area featuring arts and crafts or crafts people and artisans, specialty foods and craft brews, and lots of tasty barbecue. Those camping on-site can also enjoy late-night jams around the campfires.
Discounted admission wristbands are available online via EventBrite until April 1. For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.oldsettlersmusicfest.org.
Each year, the nonprofit festival provides financial support to several community organizations. The beneficiaries for 2016 will be the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, Kids in New Groove, and the Center for Texas Music History. In addition, four scholarships will be provided to students pursuing music-related degrees at two area colleges.
Like/Follow Us!