In our return visit to the Old Settler's Music Festival in Driftwood, the nineteenth year that the event has taken place, the music was focused again on it's bluegrass roots, spread over four stages.



The weather cleared and was perfect for the weekend. The popular acts that we noted on Friday evening included Uncle Earl, the Waybacks, the Del McCoury Band, and Keller Williams.

Other artists appearing during the four day event included Todd Snider, Terri Hendrix, Alison Brown, and many others, including an appearance by Texas governor hopeful, Kinky Friedman.

The crowds appeared younger than last year. As Del McCoury has noted, "Young people are just wild about bluegrass. This music has grit and young people like that. The general public hears something real in bluegrass. That’s why it’s more popular than ever, I believe."

Besides the music, there were also several workshops taking place over the weekend to teach basic techniques for fiddling, guitar, banjo, mandolin, and even harmonica playing. The most fun we have heard is from getting a spot in the nearby campground to hear the music through the weekend and mingle. As we dived into the barbecue, we watched kids running around having a great time, and were reminded what a great laid-back event that Old Settler's continues to become.

View our Old Settler's Music Festival 2005 Feature.

Visit their website - here for more information.

When: April of each year
Where: Driftwood, TX
(just south of Austin)
Salt Lick Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch, FM 1826,
south of U.S. 290 West
Website