2025 Austin String Band Festival

Admission & Tickets

Tickets will be available on-site at the admissions gate. Cash, cards, and checks will be accepted.

If you pre-purchased tickets online, we’ll have your name on the list at the gate. There’s no need to print your tickets.

Kids under 15 are free with adult!

Active AFTM members get a discounted price. Email membership@aftm.us or visit our membership site to check your status or join, using your email address to log in.

	Non-Member	AFTM Member	Student (with valid ID)
Weekend Pass	$55	$50	$45
Saturday Day Pass	$45	$40	$35
Friday Day Pass	$30	$25	$20

Tent Campsite (per tent): $30/night
RV Campsite (per vehicle/trailer): $40/night

Volunteer

Sign up to volunteer at https://tallycal.com/p/asbf2025. Volunteers are a very important part of making the festival affordable and successful. Please consider helping out if you are able!

Volunteers for PRIME slots will get a free festival weekend pass. There are limited numbers of prime slots so grab one quickly if you can! Prime slots are evening shifts that are marked with the word “PRIME” on our sign-up page. Camping is extra.

Volunteering for a regular slot will get you either a free day pass or 50% off a weekend pass, your choice. Work two regular slots for a free weekend pass. Camping is extra. Email James (volunteer@aftm.us) to get the 50% code if that’s the option you’d like to use.

Email James Seppi (volunteer@aftm.us) with any questions. The festival is rain-or-shine so please show up regardless of the weather.

Performance Schedule

Main stage performances start every hour on the hour and are listed in bold below.
Mini-stage sets are in-between, starting at the 45-minute mark every hour.

Friday, October 17

6:00 PM	Square dance: The Austin City Quicksteppers with caller Rich MacMath
6:45 PM	Jolly Jankin String Band
7:00 PM	BYK (Boyer, Yellman & Keough)
7:45 PM	Jesse Gregg
8:00 PM	Steel Grassy
8:45 PM	The Mixolydians
9:00 PM	Corey McCauley
9:45 PM	The Bright Leaf Warblers
10:00 PM	Square Dance: BYK with caller Sharon Isaac

Saturday, October 18

1:00 PM	Beginner Square Dance: Everett Wren Band with caller Dale Rempert
1:45 PM	The New Blue Buckskin Whinchers
2:00 PM	Everett Wren
2:45 PM	Webster’s Ragtime Trio
3:00 PM	Luke Moody
3:45 PM	Dog Days String Band
4:00 PM	Mariachi Las Alteñas
4:45 PM	Simon Flory
5:00 PM	The Lost Keys (with Spencer & Rains)
5:45 PM	Banjo Rose
6:00 PM	Missy Beth & the Morning Afters
6:45 PM	Rusty Nut & the Wheel Ruts
7:00 PM	Brandi Waller-Pace
7:45 PM	Righteous Intonation
8:00 PM	The Here & Now
8:45 PM	Ramsey Park Ramblers
9:00 PM	Guy Forsyth’s 78 Special
9:45 PM	3 Men from Manchaca
10:00 PM	Square Dance: The Lost Keys with caller Marc Airhart

Organized Jams

There will be jams of all kinds spontaneously happening with friends old and new throughout the festival, but we’ll also have some hosted jams on Saturday. Bring a jam chair and your instruments.

We’ll also have a whiteboard up to help folks organize their own jams and find link-minded musicians!

Friday, 10/17:

• 5PM: Welcome Jam (Old Time), hosted by Tim Wooten

Saturday, 10/18:

• 10AM: Old Time Beginner/Slow Jam
• 12PM: Cajun Jam hosted by Mike Perron
• Song Jam – see whiteboard by the kitchen for time and location!

Sunday, 10/19:

• 10AM: Gospel Singing, led by Angie Wooten

Workshops

We’ll have multiple workshops running on Saturday before performances start. A map of workshop locations will be posted at the festival. Schedule/locations are subject to change, so be sure to check the board at the Merch booth.

Time	Location A	Location B	Location C
11AM	Dave McDonald Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar: It’s Your Most Important Job	Earl Hunt Old Time Mandolin	Dave Polacheck Poetry & Music Create New Songs with Your Favorite Poems and Traditional Tunes
Noon	Tricia Spencer Seconding First Understanding the fiddle through the use of two-finger chord shapes.	Britt Irick Old Time Banjo	Brandi Waller-Pace Basic Old Time Back-Up Guitar
1PM	Guy Forsyth Slide Guitar How to play acoustic slide guitar in open G tuning.	Niamh (The Here & Now) Ornamentation in Irish Music	Howard Rains Fiddle Tunes from Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas

Kids’ Activities

Bring out the whole family for a fun time at the festival — children under 15 get in free!
We’ll have some special activities for the kids on Saturday, over by the Merch booth.

• 1PM – 2PM: Diabolo Demonstration
• 1PM – 3PM: Crafts with Natasha La Gitana
• 2PM – 4PM: Juggling with the Texas Juggling Society
• 3PM – 5PM: Face painting by Doodle Bug

Silent Auction

On Saturday afternoon, we’ll host a Silent Auction fundraiser for AFTM. The auction will take place near the kitchen area.

Donations: We need your stuff! Musical instruments, albums, CDs, artwork, books, and other quality items will be graciously accepted! Please bring your donations for the Silent Auction to the festival on Saturday morning. Lee and Janita Thomas are coordinating the auction and can answer any questions you have. Text or call Lee at 817-480-5561.

Performers

Guy Forsyth’s 78 Special

This traditional jazz/swing/blues band features resonator guitars, banjos, and musical saws, and reflects a DIY spirit reminiscent of punk rock. Their sound blends influences from blues, jazz, fiddle tunes, and more. With Westen Borghesi and Will Webster.

The Here & Now

The Here & Now is an exciting 4 piece Celtic band from Austin, Texas and Sunset, Louisiana. They weave a rich and captivating sound full of energy that presents Irish traditional music in a contemporary context. Chris Buckley (fiddle), Niamh Fahy (fiddle, vocals), Rob Forkner (bodhrán) and Tony Daveron (bouzouki/ guitar / vocals). Website, Live at the Austin Celtic Festival.

Brandi Waller-Pace

Brandi Waller-Pace (they/she) is a Fort Worth-based musician, educator, and scholar-activist. They founded and direct Decolonizing the Music Room, a nonprofit with a mission of centering Black, Brown, Indigenous, and Asian voices in music education, research, and performance. Brandi founded and organizes the Fort Worth African American Roots Music Festival.

BYK

BYK (Boyer, Yellman & Keough) is a new Central Texas string band that plays old-time music with an updated sound and energy rooted in American folk music. They made their high-energy debut on the mini-stage at last year’s festival, and released a recording as a live album on Bandcamp. Joslyn Boyer (bass), Zephyr Yellman (fiddle), Tim Keough (guitar).

Cory McCauley and his Evangeline Aces

Corey and his wife Lisa have filled dance floors in the US, Canada and Europe with their traditional, old-time style Cajun sound, which they learned from old 78 and 45 records and by visiting with older musicians. Live at a Crawfish boil.

Everett Wren Band

Everett is known for his expressive vocals and mastery of many stringed and percussive instruments — all to be found on his new album “Cascades” (available through Spotify, including a fine tune called  “Angie & Tim Reel”). From a debut performance as a 4-year-old, Everett has led a life of music, and was one of the founders of this festival 18 years ago. Expect a mixture of bluegrass, folk, tin pan alley, old-time music, and more. everettwren.com/music

Luke Moody

Luke is a 14-year-old musician and singer from Hemphill, Texas, who began performing at the age of five. He entertains crowds with his fiddle and vocals, specializing in gospel, country western, and western swing music. Luke is a proud member of the San Augustine County Cowboy Church Band and regularly competes in fiddle contests across Texas. His passion for music shines both on stage and in his community. Your Cheatin’ Heart.

Mariachi Las Alteñas

Mariachi Las Alteñas is an all-female mariachi group founded in 2002 that continues to make waves and break barriers across the United States. Their mission, to achieve excellence as overall performers and to raise the standards for women in mariachi music, is complimented by their beauty and individual skillsets as vocalists and instrumentalists. Las Alteñas website.

Missy Beth & the Morning Afters

Honky-tonk band hosted by Beth Chrisman, featuring Austin’s hottest country pickers. Hillbilly classics, murder ballads, hangover romance and more. Regularly performing at The White Horse, Sagebrush and dance halls around central Texas. Video, website.

The Lost Keys (with Spencer & Rains)

Tricia Spencer & Howard Rains are fiddlers, guitar-players, and singers who preserve and build upon the traditions of their home states of Texas and Kansas. The husband and wife duo are known for their distinct twin fiddling and close-knit vocal harmony. Spencer & Rains website.

Steel Grassy

Steel Grassy is a dynamic and versatile bluegrass band hailing from Austin, loved for their spirited and authentic live performances. Led by frontman David McD,  Steel Grassy’s repertoire spans toe tappin’ bluegrass, to traditional country, to old-time, always delivered with a smile and heartfelt feeling. Steel Grassy Video.

Camping

There is plenty of primitive tent camping, and a small number of RV sites with hookups.  All camping fees are to be paid upon festival entry, on a first-come-first-served basis. You may pay with cash, check or credit card.

Friday and Saturday camping should be paid at the festival admissions tent. You may arrive earlier than Friday to camp. If you do, please pay Camp Ben directly for the nights before Friday. Check-out is Noon on Sunday.

A burn ban for Hays County is currently IN EFFECT as of September 1st, 2025. See the Hays County Burn Ban site for more information: https://www.hayscountytx.gov/burn-ban. Here’s an excerpt of what that means for you at Camp Ben:

Recreational Fires (i.e. campfires, fire pits) are allowed as long as they are kept in a “fire ring” to prevent spread of fire. These fires cannot be unattended, and you must keep a water source nearby.

Trash & Recycling

Pack-it-in, Pack-it-out. Campers who have recycling at their residence are encouraged to take recyclables home with them; a bag will be furnished for use on site or to take trash home. This helps us greatly – Thanks!

No dogs or other pets

We love dogs, but please leave them at home.

NO DOGS ALLOWED except service animals. 

No amplified music

Out of courtesy to fellow campers, jammers, and official performers, please no amplified music in the campground.

Food

We’ll have two great on-site food trucks:

• Texas Street Crepes – Fresh and delicious street crepes made to order from scratch. Vegetarian options. Refreshing Fresh Squeezed Lemon and Limeades. Espresso and Lattes to keep you going all night long!
• Vigilante Vittles

Festivalgoers can also bring their own food and beverages (no glass, please). There’s ample space and tables to picnic, and campers can of course cook at their campsites.

Please help us manage waste by packing out your own trash and recyclables.

Location

Camp Ben McCulloch
18301 FM 1826
Driftwood, Texas 78619
Google Maps Link

Camp Ben McCulloch is within a few minutes of Austin, located 11 miles south of Highway 290 West on Farm Road 1826. From I-35, take Loop 4 to downtown Buda. Head west on Farm Road 967 for 11 miles, then turn left on Farm Road 1826 for 1/2 mile — Camp Ben McCulloch is on the left.

Camp Ben McCulloch’s grounds are lovely, with plenty of big old shade trees, a gurgling creek and room for camping and jamming. Some of the best music is off-stage in sessions lasting till the wee hours. There is also a very nice, shady playground close to the pavilion.

A Few Reminders

The string band festival is a family friendly event. If you are planning to come to the festival please note the following:

• NO DOGS ALLOWED (except service dogs).
• BURN BAN IS IN EFFECT – see the Hays County Burn Ban site for more information
• BRING YOUR OWN CHAIR FOR THE WORKSHOPS, FOR JAMMING, OR FOR EXTRA COMFORT.
• BRING YOUR OWN COOLER AND ICE.
• NO GLASS BOTTLES. CANS ONLY.
• NO FIREWORKS OR WEAPONS.
• NO AMPLIFIED MUSIC.
• BRING CASH AND CREDIT CARDS FOR TICKETS, CAMPING FEES, FOOD, and MERCH.
• PACK-IN & PACK-OUT AS MUCH OF YOUR TRASH AS POSSIBLE
• NO CHILDREN PLAYING ON THE DANCE FLOOR DURING PERFORMANCES