Many fans of bluegrass, roots and
The 21st Annual Old Settler’s Music Festival, slated for April 17-20 at the Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch in Driftwood, Texas is not as well-known outside the state as some other festivals in the Austin area – and that’s part of its allure. Old Settler’s Music Festival also takes place during what’s usually the height of Texas Hill Country’s wildflower season, although few bluebonnets were in bloom two years ago (when this writer was there) due to earlier drought conditions.
Photo by Jim Dirden
Old Settler’s may not draw as many people as the SXSW, Austin City Limits and Kerrville music festivals, but it certainly does draw its share of stellar performers – and this year is no exception. Among those on the 2008 lineup are Bearfoot, the Belleville Outfit, Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, Brave Combo, Pieta Brown (Greg’s daughter), Cadillac Sky, J.D. Crowe & the New South, Emily Elbert, Flounders Without Eyes, Eliza Gilkyson, Green Mountain Grass, David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, Terri Hendrix, Infamous Stingdusters, Bettye LaVette, Charlie Musselwhite, Slim Richey’s Monster JazzGrass, Martin Sexton, Todd Snider, Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys, and The Waybacks. In addition to concerts, there will be Friday and Saturday performance workshops, arts and crafts, a youth talent competition and children’s activities (including a petting zoo, monster-slide, moonwalk, stilt-walking, face-painting and more), and lots of tasty barbecue.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.oldsettlersmusicfest.org Early-bird prices (with and without camping) are available through March 10.
MerleFest, one of
“Since the beginning, the people of the college and I have agreed that the music of Merlefest is ‘traditional-plus,’ and this year’s lineup shows what that is all about,” says Doc Watson, the festival’s host. Joining him and Merle’s son Richard will be such artists as The Alberti Flea Circus; The Avett Brothers; Blue Highway; Roy Book Binder; Alison Brown Quartet with Joe Craven; Sam Bush; Bob Carlin & Cheick Hamala Diabate; The Carolina Chocolate Drops; Donna the Buffalo; Jerry Douglas; Ruthie Foster; Mitch Greenhill; George Hamilton IV and George Hamilton V; Levon Helm & The Midnight Ramble on the Road; Tish Hinojosa; Sierra Hull & Highway 111The Infamous Stringdusters; Jorma Kaukonen; Jim Lauderdale; Laurie Lewis and The Right Hands; The Lovell Sisters; The Claire Lynch Band; Tift Merritt; Tim O’Brien; Old Crow Medicine Show; Ollabelle; The Pine Leaf Boys; Dirk Powell & Riley Baugus; Tony Rice; Peter Rowan; Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby with Kentucky Thunder; a Solas “Reunion” with Karan Casey & John Doyle; Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys; Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives; Tut Taylor; Happy Traum; Sally Van Meter; Rhonda Vincent & The Rage; The Waifs; Abigail Washburn & The Sparrow Quartet featuring Bela Fleck, Casey Driessen & Ben Solee; and The Waybacks; The Wilders, and Wilkes Acoustic Folk Society.
Also on tap are a number of collaborations and jam sessions that have been highlights of Merlefest since its outset, the finals of the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, a Friday evening Songwriters’ Coffeehouse and instrument contests for mandolin, banjo and guitar (for which 20 contestants will be picked from among those who register on site), as well as heritage crafts by regional artisans, children’s activities, and plenty of pickin’ opportunities. In addition, limited space is available for a Merlefest Jam Camp, hosted by Pete Wernick at Herring Ridge.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.merlefest.org Early-bird ticket discounts are available through March 14.
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