Old Settler's Music Festival
”for Good Down Home Texas Music”

Photo/Powellizer

Old Settler's Music Festival is a throwback to the peace and love days of the the'60s. Campfire sing-alongs. Music, camaraderie and an abundance of genuine music fans.

Held over a four day weekend in April at the Salt Lick Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch in Driftwood. Eleven miles south of Hwy. 290 on FM 1826.

There are 30 bands performing on the Hill Country Stage, Bluebonnet Stage and Campground Stage. Traditional American music is featured. Blues, folk, bluegrass and country rule the different Texas music stages.

Artists like Marty Stuart, Ralph Stanley, Delbert McClinton, Charlie Musselwhite, David Grisman are a few of from the 2008 all star lineup.

This Texas music festival features workshops, audience and artist late night campfire jams. The music is exceptional whether it's heard on stage or next to a tent and campfire.

Old Settler's Music Festival is family orientated offering camping, campgrounds and kids activities like bungee jumps, pony rides, petting zoo, climbing wall and more. There are a lot of kids, your kids will have others to play and hang with.

You camp at Camp Ben McCulloch. A nice campground with clean facilities and pretty camp sites. Some sites have water and electricity.

AUSTIN TRAVEL TIP: I've been coming here for years. Camp in the trees with a tent. Look for the tents where there is a guitar, fiddle or mandolin case.

Musicians come here to play. They make a concerted effort to camp close to other musicians. Put your tent in the right spot and you have a front row seat to the famous Texas music hill country campfire jam. I've never heard a bad one and most are revelations.

Photo/NessieNoodle

The campground stage is very much like my back porch on a hot night when RD and the neighbors get together to fill the hills with echoes of Gene Autry, Buddy Holly, Leadbelly…

Main stages are at the Salt Lick Pavilion and Onion Creek Park. Shuttle buses run the short distance between campground and the Pavilion.

Food is the best of all Austin music festivals. The Salt Lick BBQ is the best open pit barbeque in the entire US. There is no comparison. Plus, what could be better than campfire hot dogs and roasted marshmallows.

Fees range from $15 for a Sunday wristband to a $450 four day wristband that includes camping services. See web site for current fees and rates. Music, camping, one day or four. A lot of options in every price range.

Also see the Old Settler's web site for camping restrictions., shower fees, etc. Music festival rosters are often changed and updated. So check in often for the latest updates.

I haven't attended any music festival I like better than Old Settlers. I leave feeling rejuvenated. Not beat up like after SXSW. It's a wonderful experience. What we old hippies miss.

The Kerrville Music Festival is a good old fashioned hoe down, but Old Settler's beats it hands down. More intimate and the barbeque makes it perfect.

Saturday night an old boy named Clem (no kidding), pulls out a 1943 Martin D-18 and plays Butch Hancock's “If I Were a Bluebird.” His voice was old, weathered but angelic and honest. About 3 am, two tents down. Best performance of the festival. It made me cry. Crickets provided the harmony.

Laid back, relaxed, fun, friendly crowd of all ages, great traditional American music everywhere, best BBQ in the US.

I love all the Austin music festivals, but the Old Settler's gets my pick for “Best Austin Music Festival.”

It's what all music festivals should be. Commercialism is held to a bare minimum. Refreshing and highly recommended.

Web Site: You can go to their web site here oldsettlersmusicfest.org (opens in a new window).

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