It’s November — time to clean out the camper and snap up early-bird special rates for the 29th Annual Old Settler’s Music Festival. The lineup already boasts a fantastic mix of bluegrass greats, from Jerry Douglas presents The Earls of Leicester, the Del McCoury Band and the Lonesome River Band to Della Mae and the HillBenders (performing their astounding rendition of “The Who’s Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry”). Austin stars Shinyribs, Sarah Jarosz, Hayes Carll, Carolyn Wonderland and David Ramirez are also appearing, along with hot up-and-comers the Dustbowl Revival, the Accidentals and Houston’s The Suffers. Discounted early-bird packages go on sale Saturday, Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. for the four-day festival, slated for Thursday-Sunday, April 14-17, at the Salt Lick Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch in Driftwood, just outside of Austin. They will be available at oldsettlersmusicfest.org.
These packages provide a savings of up to 23 percent over regular tickets, and only a limited number are available at this price. Buying early assures access to camping at the popular Ben McCulloch grounds, site of a fourth stage with shows on Thursday and Sunday, plus special late-night jam sessions. Camping has sold out completely in recent years. To provide an optimum camping experience, only a limited number of RV/trailer passes will be sold.
Early-bird options are: four-day with camping, three-day (Friday through Sunday) with camping, three-day without camping and the all-inclusive platinum pass. (Children 12 and under may attend free when accompanied by a paid adult.)
More than 30 award-winning roots, bluegrass and Americana artists will again take the festival’s four stages, including the Discovery (workshop) stage, sponsored this year by the Bluegrass Situation, the organization founded by actor/comedian/picker Ed Helms.
In addition to 2015 Grammy winners The Earls of Leicester, the roster includes the Brothers Comatose, Sierra Hull and jammers the Jeff Austin Band. Americana artists the Black Lillies, the Wood Brothers and Fort Worth’s Green River Ordinance share the roster with acts to watch including L.A. “roots orchestra” (and Dick Van Dyke faves) the Dustbowl Revival, surprise Austin City Limits Festival stars The Suffers and Michigan-based South By Southwest 2015 Billboard Breakout Act the Accidentals. Fans also can look forward to hearing beloved locals Jarosz and Carll deliver new material from their highly anticipated spring releases, along with treats like Jay Farrar (Trio) performs songs from Son Volt’s Trace.
In October, the nonprofit festival proudly announced a new scholarship program for music majors attending two area colleges. To learn more, click oldsettlersmusicfest.org/scholarship-application. Old Settler’s also donates funds to the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, Kids in a New Groove and the Center for Texas Music History at Texas State University.
About Old Settler’s Music Festival
Old Settler’s Music Festival offers bluegrass, folk and Americana acts performing on four stages over four days, along with camping in the beautiful Texas hill country. Many music fans return annually for amazing performances by award-winning artists such as Sam Bush, Richard Thompson, Bruce Hornsby, the Mavericks, Alison Krauss and Bela Fleck, and favorite locals such as Patty Griffin, Bob Schneider and Ray Wylie Hubbard. For more information, visit oldsettlersmusicfest.org.
