Driftwood, TX, located 25 miles southwest of Austin in central Texas, is the home of the Old Settler’s Music Festival, held this past 39 years in April at Camp Ben McCulloch.
The music leans towards the modern and progressive side of the bluegrass and Americana scene, it being near Austin and all, and they always have a strong turnout for the live music.
Another popular draw at Old Settlers is their annual Youth Talent Competition, which has been part of the festival since 2022.
Registration is open through February 28 for any musical artist age 18 or younger who perform in an American roots music style, which they define as bluegrass, country, blues, gospel, or traditional. A $300 cash prize is offered to the winner, along with a full set on the next year’s festival.
A video performance is required to submit an application, but it need not be formal or professionally shot and edited. There is no fee to enter, and selected contestants must be on site in Driftwood for the competition April 17-19.
Depending on the number of entrants, two or more rounds of live competition will be scheduled during or before the festival. Registrants may have up to two accompanists on stage, with only acoustic instruments used.
Full competition details can be found online, so get those videos shot and submitted by the 28th!
