Old Settler's Music Festival


Old Settler's Music Festival is an annual music festival held since 1988. The festival dates for 2021 are 15–18 April in Tilmon Texas, just southeast of Lockhart, Texas. As one of Central Texas' signature music events, the festival features acoustic jazz and blues, bluegrass, local favorites, and award-winning artists from around the world. Camping, arts and crafts, food and drink are available.
The festival is represented at numerous music events including the International Folk Alliance Conference, the Americana Music Festival & Conference, South By South West, the International Bluegrass Music Festival's World of Bluegrass, and the International Music Festival Conference.

History

The Old Settler's Bluegrass Festival was first held in Old Settler's Park in Round Rock, Texas. After the park flooded during a festival weekend, the organizers moved the festival first to Stone Mountain Events Center in Dripping Springs, Texas, and later to the Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch in Driftwood, Texas. In 2018, the festival moved to its forever home on 145 acres of rolling meadows and tree covered campgrounds. The new location is just a cd's worth of listening from Austin. The name of the festival was modified to Old Settler's Music Festival in 2000.
Old Settler's already has been widely recognized for its contribution to Central Texas culture; with over 30 bands performing for 16,000 roots-music fans each year, it is considered among the major events that help the region sustain its status as the “live music capital of the world.” And now, as it plants roots of its own on its new 45-acre property, Old Settler's cements its status as the sole roots music and camping festival in the Central Texas area. "OSMF has become an elite musical event without sacrificing the community vibe that built it."
Since there was no festival planned in 2020 caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 33rd was deferred to 2021.
32 April 11–14, 2019 Tilmon, Texas, southeast of Lockhart
Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, The Del McCoury Band, Galactic, Hayes Carll, Wild Child, Penny & Sparrow, The Lone Bellow, Shinyribs, Amanda Shires, Los Legends FT. Flaco Jiminez, Ruben Ramos, Rick Trevino Y Amigos, Mandolin Orange, The Steeldrivers, James Hunter Six, Robert Ellis, Paul Thorn, Black Pumas, John Moreland, Paul Cauthen, The Last Bandoleros, Wood & Wire, Samantha Fish, South Austin Jug Band, Mipso, Sarah Grace and the Soul, Jaimee Harris, Calliope Musicals, Ley Line,
Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons, Jeff Plankenhorn, Ida Mae, John Elliott, Feeding Leroy, McMercy Family Band, Batty Jr., Middlespoon
31 April 19–22, 2018 Tilmon, Texas, southeast of Lockhart
The Grateful Ball, Donna the Buffalo, The Travelin McCourys, WeBanjo 3, The Deer, Greensky Bluegrass, Calexico, Balsam Range, The Jeff Austin Band, Front Country, I'm With Her, Railroad Earth,Bob Schneider, JD McPherson, The California Honeydrops, Will Hoge, Colter Wall, Darlingside, Steve Poltz, Billy Strings,
The War & Treaty, The Peterson Brothers, Jon Stickley Trio, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Galeano, The Cleverlys
30 April 20–23, 2017 Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch:
American Dreamer, Sam Bush, The California Honeydrops, Griffin Carter, Elephant Revival, Gaelic Storm, Shakey Graves, The Honeycutters, Gregory Alan Isakov, Sarah Jarosz, Nikki Lane, The Last Bandoleros, Leftover Salmon, The Lil’ Smokies, The Lone Bellow, Los Lobos, The Del McCoury Band, Mandolin Orange, Old 97's, Anders Osborne, Peter Rowan's Bluegrass Jam, The Peterson Brothers, Reckless Kelly, River Whyless, Peter Rowan & Friends, Session Americana, Shinyribs, Billy Strings, The Travelin’ McCourys, Vasen, Wood & Wire
29 April 14–17, 2016 Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch:
Dawes, Del McCoury Band, Rodney Crowell, The Wood Brothers, Jerry Douglas presents The Earls Of Leicester, Hayes Carll, Bob Schneider, Sarah Jarosz, Shinyribs, The Milk Carton Kids, The Jayhawks, Deer Tick, David Ramirez, Jay Farrar Trio performs songs from Son Volts "Trace", The Suffers, The Jeff Austin Band, The Black Lillies, The Band of Heathens, Carolyn Wonderland, HONEYHONEY, Della Mae, Green River Ordinance, MilkDrive, Lonesome River Band, The HillBenders present The Who's TOMMY: A Bluegrass Opry, The Jitterbug Vipers, The Brothers Comatose, The Deer, Sierra Hull, The Dustbowl Revival, The Accidentals
28 April 16–19, 2015 Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch:
Jeff Austin Band, The Black Lillies, Sam Bush, Dailey & Vincent, Darlingside, The Defibulators, Hot Rize, Ray Wylie Hubbard, The Infamous Stringdusters, The Jitterbug Vipers, JohnnySwim, Robert Earl Keen, Bill Kirchen, Pokey LaFarge, Lost Bayou Ramblers, The Mavericks, McCrary Sisters, JD McPherson, MilkDrive, Israel Nash, Alexander Nobles, Chuck Prophet, Rising Appalachia, Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis, Roxy Roca, Lauren Shera, Jake Shimabukuro, Shinyribs, Langhorne Slim, Nora Jane Struthers and the Party Line, Wood & Wire
27 April 10–13, 2014 Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch:
Big Head Todd & the Monsters, The Black Lillies, Jeff Bridges & the Abiders, The Deadly Gentlemen, The Del McCoury Band, The Devil Makes Three, Donna The Buffalo, Elephant Revival, Front Country, John Fullbright, Gaelic Storm, The Gibson Brothers, Humming House, Sarah Jarosz, Katy Kirby, Lake Street Dive, Lily & Madeleine, Della Mae, Parker Millsap, North Mississippi Allstars, Tim O'Brien & Darrell Scott, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Red Wine, Peter Rowan's Twang 'an Groove, Saint Paul & The Broken Bones, Bob Schneider, Shinyribs, Shovels & Rope, Dr. Ralph Stanley & His Clinch Mountain Boys, Wood & Wire
26 April 18–21, 2013 Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch:
Carolina Chocolate Drops; The Del McCoury Band; Dirtfoot; Jerry Douglas; Casey Driessen Singularity; The Dunwells; The Fred Eaglesmith Traveling Steam Show; Justin Townes Earle; Elephant Revival; Michael Franti; The Giving Tree Band; The Gourds; Green Mountain Grass; Terri Hendrix; The James Hunter Six; Lake Street Dive; Leftover Salmon; Lone Star Swing; Della Mae; MilkDrive; Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out; Steve Poltz; The Reivers; Rose's Pawn Shop; Peter Rowan's Twang & Groove; Bob Schneider; Martin Sexton; Son Volt; Wood & Wire; Kimberly Zielnicki featuring the Lost & Nameless O
25 April 19–22, 2012 Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch:
Sam Baker, Audie Blaylock & Redline, The Blue Hit, The Bottle Rockets, Dale Ann Bradley, Marshall Crenshaw, Flounders without Eyes, Gaelic Storm, Greensky Bluegrass, JJ Grey & Mofro, David Grier, Ha Ha Tonka, Iron & Wine, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Sarah Jarosz, Eilen Jewell, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Amos Lee, Lissie, Youth Competition Winner Grace London, James McMurtry, New Country Rehab, Todd Phillips, Pine Leaf Boys, Pyschograss, Railroad Earth, Slim Richey's Jitterbug Vipers, Bob Schneider, SHEL, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Steep Canyon Rangers, Tony Trischka, Wheeler Brothers
24 April 14–17, 2011 Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch:
The Avett Brothers, Audie Blaylock & Redline, Band of Heathens, beatlegras, The Bridge, Elliott Brood, Sam Bush, Suzanna Choffel, Emmitt-Nershi Band, Foster & Lloyd, David Francey, Gaelic Storm, Jimmy Dale Gilmore with the Wronglers, The Gourds, Greensky Bluegrass, Green Mountain Grass, Terri Hendrix, The Hillbenders, Warren Hood & the Goods, Ruby Jane, Sonny Landreth, Jim Lauderdale, MilkDrive, Youth Competition Winners Sarah Mueller and Minnie, Tim O’Brien, Rose's Pawn Shop, Jake Shimabukuro, Langhorne Slim, Sahara Smith, The Richard Thompson Electric Trio, Trampled by Turtles, The WayneBillies
23 April 15–18, 2010 Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch:
7 Walkers with Bill Kreutzmann, Band of Heathens, Bearfoot, Blue Highway, Brave Combo, Alison Brown Quartet, Elizabeth Cook, Dirtfoot, Fred Eaglesmith, Joe Ely, Alejandro Escovedo, Flounders Without Eyes, Ruthie Foster, John Fullbright, The Giving Tree Band, The Gourds, Green Mountain Grass, Patty Griffin, The Infamous Stringdusters, Ruby Jane, Jitterbug Vipers, Jimmy LaFave, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Lee Boys, Buddy Miller, New Monsoon, The Rockin’ Gospel Project, Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Mindy Smith, Solas, Special Consensus, The Travelin’ McCourys, The Trishas, The Wronglers
22 April 16–19, 2009 Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch:
Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women, Beausoleil Avec Micheal Doucet, The Belleville Outfit, Bettysoo, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, Blue Highway, Bodeans, Marc Broussard, Hayes Carll, Fred Eaglesmith, The Fireants, Flounders Without Eyes, Flyin' $ Bunkhouse Band, Julie Fowlis, The Gibson Brothers, The Gourds, Great American Taxi, Green Mountain Grass, The Greencards, Ray Wilie Hubbard, Sarah Jarosz, Jitterbug Vipers, Robert Earl Keen, The Lee Boys, Lone Star Swing, The Lovell Sisters, Ben Mallott, Dan Navarro, New Monsoon, Onion Creek Crawdaddies, Jenny Reynolds, The Rockin' Gospel Project, Spring Creek, Stonehoney, Travelin' McCoury's
21 April 17–20, 2008 Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch:
Bearfoot, Beatlegras, Bellville Outfit, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, Brave Combo, Pieta Brown, Cadillac Sky, JD Crowe & The New South, Emily Elbert, The Flyin' $ Bunkhouse Band, Flounders Without Eyes, Eliza Gilkyson, Green Mountain Grass, David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, Terri Hendrix, The Infamous Stringdusters, Sarah Jarosz, Jitterbug Vipers, The Jones Family Singers, Bettye Lavette, Delbert McClinton, Gharle Musslewhite, New Monsoon, Slim Richey's Monster Jazzgrass, The Rockin' Gospel Project, Peter Rowan & Friends, Martin Sexton, Todd Snider, Ralph Stanley & The Clich Mountain Boys, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, The Waybacks
20 April 19–22, 2007 Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch:
Karen Abrahams, Big Sandy & Los Straitjackets, Sarah Borges & the Broken Singles, Sam Bush, Classical Grass, Slaid Cleaves, John Cowan Band, Iris Dement, Groupo Fantasma, Flounders Without Eyes, Ruthie Foster, Robbie Fulks and Danny Barnes, Mary Gauthier, The Gospel Project, Green Mountain Grass, Honkeytonk Homeslice, Sarah Jarosz, Jim Lauderdale, Samantha Miller, New Monsoon, Joan Osborne, Psychograss, Red Stick Ramblers, Slim Richey & Kat's Meow, Peter Rowan, Darrell Scott, Slave of Utopia
19 April 20–23, 2006 Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch:
Alvin Crow and Special Guests, The Del McCoury Band, Eddie From Ohio, Kinky Friedman, Flounders Without Eyes, Susan Gibson & The Moving Parts, Grassy Knoll Boys, Green Mountain Grass, Terri Hendrix, Heybale, Erik Hokkanen, Sarah Jarosz, Lonestar Bluegrass Band, Marley's Ghost, Monte Montgomery, New Monsoon, Slim Richey & Kat's Meow, Rowan and Rice Quartet, Peter Rowan Skydancer Trio, Todd Snider, Chris Stuart & Backcountry, Chip Taylor & Carrie Rodriguez, Texas Swing Kings, Texas Tribute to the Music & Life of Vassar Clemen, Uncle Earl; Abigail Washburn with Ben Sollee, The Waybacks, Keller Williams
18 April 21–24, 2005 Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch:
Karen Abrahams, Austin Lounge Lizards, Back Porch Vipers, The Bills, Kasey Chambers, Cooper's Uncle, CPR, Rodney Crowell, Daybreak, Eddie From Ohio, Bela Fleck Acoustic Trio, Flounders Without Eyes, Sarah Jarosz, Jimmy LaFave, Lonestar Bluegrass Band, New Monsoon, Railroad Earth, Reckless Kelly, The Red Stick Ramblers, Slim Richey's Dream Band with Leeann Atherton, Ashlee Rose, Special Consensus, Steep Canyon Rangers, Steppin' In It, Texas Swing Kings, Two High String Band
18 April 15–18, 2004 Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch:
Karen Abrahams, Blue Light Special, Bluegrass Journey, Alison Brown, Stephen Bruton & Friends, Cadillac Sky, Vassar Clements, Cooper's Uncle, The Del McCoury Band, The Gourds, The Greencards, David Grisman Quintet, Terri Hendrix with Lloyd Maines, Hot Rize with Bryan Sutton, The Isaacs-Bryant Kids, Sarah Jarosz, Libby Kirkpatrick, Leftover Salmon, Natalie MacMaster, Thomas Mapfumo, The Motet, Trish Murphy, Tim O’Brien, Open Road, Red Stick Ramblers, Peter Rowan's Crucial Reggae, Danny Santos & the Bluegrass Vatos, South Austin Jug Band, Split Lip Rayfield, Two High String Band, Mike Williams
16 April 17–20, 2003 Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch:
Alison Brown, Vassar Clements, Cooper's Uncle, Del McCoury Band, Jerry Douglas Band, Fred Eaglesmith, Ruthie Foster, Tony Furtado Band, Purly Gates, Mary Gauthier, Good News Band, The Greencards, Patty Griffin, David Hamburger & Mike Grigoni, Caroline Herring, Shelly King, Blue Merle, Onion Creek Crawdaddies, Railroad Earth, Reel Time Travelers, Slim Richey's Dream Band, Peter Rowan, Shoal Creek Mudstompers, South Austin Jug Band, The Spurs of the Moment, Two High String Band, Waybacks, Mike Williams, Yonder Mountain String Band
15 April 19–21, 2002 Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch:
Karen Abrahams & Reckless Abandon, the John Cowan Band with Vassar Clements, Del McCoury Band, Flounders without Eyes, Ruthie Foster, Tony Furtado Band, Terri Hendrix, Caroline Herring, Ryan Holladay, Bruce Hornsby, Jim Hurst & Missy Raines, Larry, Leftover Salmon, Monte Montgomery, Railroad Earth, Peter Rowan, Michelle Shocked, The Siekers, Darden Smith, Smokin’ Grass, South Austin Gospel Choir, South Austin Jug Band, The Special Consensus, Two High String Band, The Waybacks
14 April 6–8, 2001 Stone Mountain Events Center:
Karen Abrahams & Reckless Abandon, Leeann Atherton, Batteries Not Included, Blueground Undergrass, Nickel Creek, Charlie Daniels Band, Flounders Without Eyes, The Good News Band, Bryan Hallady, John Hartford and the Hartford String Band, Terri Hendrix Band, Caroline Herring, Two High String Band, Larry, Jim Lauderdale, Tim O'Brian & Darrell Scott, Peter Rowan, Smokin' Grass, South Austin Gospel Choir, Special Consensus, Still on the Hill, Yonder Mountain String Band
13 April 7–9, 2000:
Karen Abrahams, The Blackland Prairie Boys, Bluegrass Driveby, Sarah Elizabeth Campbell, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Flounders Without Eyes, The Good News Band, Sara Hickman, Hillbilly Boggiemen, Foramay Holliday, Jim Hust & Missy Raines, Shelley King, Jim Lauderdale, Leftover Salmon with John Cowan, Lonestar Bludgrass Band, Claire Lynch & The Front Porch Sting Band, Kim Miller, Moonlighters, One Riot One Ranger, Quick Draw, Willis Alan Ramsey, Peter Rowan & Tony Rice, The Karl Shiftlett & Big Country Show, Slaid Cleves, Smokin' Grass, South Austin Gospel Choir, South Austin Soul Sisters, Two High Sting Band, Two O'clock Courage
12 April 1999, Old Settler's Park, Round Rock, Texas:
Karen Abrahams, Leeann Atherton, Bells of Joy, Cactus Pickers, Guy Clark, Classical Grass, Slaid Cleaves, Cornerstone, John Cowan, Fred Eaglesmith, Joe Ely, Good, Bad & Bluegrass, Patty Griffin, High Standard, Jill Jones & the Lonestar Chorale, Lone Star Bluegrass Band, Moonlighters, Tim O’Brien, Danny Santos & the Sinners, South Austin Gospel Choir, Southern Union, Druha Trava, Two High String Band
10 4 & 5 April 1997, Old Settler's Park, Round Rock, Texas:
Karen Abrahams, Ana Egge Band, Asylum Street Spankers, The Bad Livers, Russ Barenburg & Edgar Meyer, Blue Highway, Bluegrass Reunion with David Grisman, Sara Elizabeth Campbell, Vassar Clements & Herb Pederson, David Grisman Quartet, Iris Dement, Darcy Deville, Jerry Douglas, Ed Miller Band, Joe Ely, Fairfield Four, Steve Forbert, Grazmatics, Richard Greene & the Grass is Greener, Erik Hokkanen & Friends, Steve James, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Claire Lynch & the Front Porch String Band, Kim Miller, Paul Glasse Band, Toni Price, Peter Rowan, Don Walser, Doc Watson & Jack Lawrence, Tony Williamson & Friends.

Youth Talent Competition

The Old Settler's Music Festival's Youth Talent Competition has been an integral part of the festival since 2002. The event encourages a new generation of Americana roots musicians by offering performance opportunities and exposure at the festival.
Past Winners:
2019
Elijah Delgado
2018
Sarah Grace and the Soul
2017
Sophie Scott
2016
Griffin Carter
2015
Joelton Mayfield
2014
Alexander Nobles
2013
Katy Kirby
2012
Kimberly Zielnicki
2011
Grace London
2010
Minnie & Ella Jordan
2009
Sara Mueller
2008
The Fireants
2007
Emily Elbert
2006
Samantha Miller
2005
Justine Blakely & Charlie Pomroy
2004
Ashlee Rose
2003
Isaac-Bryant Kids
2002
Spurs of the Moment,
featuring Sarah Jarosz