In the spirit of staying true to the evolving Fort Worth community, the 2011 Fort Worth Music Festival will feature a myriad of unique local food vendors. Recently Fort Worth joined a phenomenon that has spread from other funky communities.  Dozens of mobile food vendors have popped up in the Fort Worth metropolis.   These “food trucks” offer far more than your traditional gas station taco truck.   Menu items vary from gourmet hot-dogs to veggie burgers to delectable deserts.  The 2011 Fort Worth Music Festival has confirmed four food vendors so far: Salsa Limon, The Yum Yum Food Truck, Big Dawg’s in Cowtown, and Snowie.  In addition, Slurpee will be giving out samples!

 Salsa Limon

Salsa Limon serves authentic Mexico City style tacos and “pushes the limits of quality and flavor to the highest level.”  Salsa Limon serves a large variety of meat and vegetable toppings with homemade tortillas.  At only a $1.50 each, breakfast tacos are offered as well.  Salsa Limon will offer a selection between a few of their fabulous tacos at the Fort Worth Music Festival.

The Yum Yum Food Truck

The Yum Yum Food Truck has been making a positive impression on the Fort Worth community since it “pulled into Fort Worth” in December of 2010.  The original Yum Yum Food Truck calls the corner of 10^th & Taylor its home, but a twin truck parks at Houston St. & W. Weatherford St.  Yum Yum’s menu offers a classic mix Tex-American menu with tacos, burritos, and burgers.  The Yum Yum Truck will provide a delicious vegetarian option at the Fort Worth Music Festival.

Big Dawg’s In Cowtown

Big Dawg’s in Cowtown offers a selection of mouth-watering hotdogs that draw influence from various national recipes, including Southwest, Chicago-Style, and Tex-Mex.  In addition to their obvious hot-dog specialty, Big Dawg’s In Cowtown also please the Texas community with a taco menu and wide selection of toppings to kick up the spice.  Because Salsa Limon will be serving tacos, Big Dawg’s will focus solely on delivering delicious Dawgs at the Fort Worth Music Festival.

Snowie of TX

With summer temperatures lingering in the triple-digits, Texans know a thing or two about snow cones.  Snowie is a mobile vendor that serves “fluffy, flavor-retaining shaved ice” to the greater Fort Worth community.  Snowie offers a unique flavor selection including classics like bubblegum and oddities such as the mysterious “Toxic Waste.” At The 2011 Fort Worth Music Festival, Snowie will be serving snow cones to beat the heat and beignets to warm the soul.

Slurpee

Because there is no such thing as too many frozen treats in Texas, we decided to bring another crowd favorite to The Fort Worth Music Festival.  Slurpee will be joining us (yes THE Slurpee … the one you LOVE)! They will be giving out free samples, so keep your eye out for them! mmm

We’re feeling great about having such wonderful food vendors at 2011 The Fort Worth Music Festival!   We hope you enjoy satisfying your senses with us on Sept. 30th and October 1st! Doors open in ONE WEEK! See you there!

Peace & Love,

The Fort Worth Music Festival

www.fwfest.com

Tickets: Front Gate

FB: FWMusicFest

Twitter: FWMusicFestival

Background

Lucero is a Memphis-bred country/rock/punk band that has gained a hardcore following through more than a decade of dedicated studio work (six full length albums) and intense touring (200-300 shows each year).

The members of Lucero are as follows:

Ben Nichols – guitar/vocals
Brian Venable – guitar
John C. Stubblefield – bass
Roy Berry – drums
Rick Steff – piano/organ/accordian
Todd Beene – pedal steel

1372 Overton Park

Lucero’s major label (Universal Republic Records) debut, 1372 Overton Park (2009), is named for the Memphis loft in which the band lived and rehearsed during  rehearsal for their 2003 release, That Much Further West..  The building has sense been demolished, but the name is now immortalized for Lucero, their fans, and the Memphis community. Watch this video of “Smoke,” a track found on 1372 Overton Park, and get pumped for The Fort Worth Music Festival!

Fun Facts

• Nichols co-stars in MTV’s $5 Cover, a Craig Brewer-produced quasi-fictionalized series about the Memphis music scene that started in May 2009. A performance of Lucero’s song “San Francisco” at the Young Avenue Deli in Memphis is featured in the trailer for the series.
• A Lucero tune is featured in the opening credits for Season 8 of CWTV’s One Tree Hill. Watch and listen HERE.
• Ben Nichols released a solo EP in early 2009. The Last Pale Light in the West is based on Ben’s interpretation of a Cormac McCarthy book, Blood Meridian.  “A wonder of power, pathos and heart, Ben Nichols’ voice is one of the greatest in alternative country; The Last Pale Light in the West is a gorgeous display of that gift.” – Orlando Weekly
• Lucero is fabulous at putting their unique touch on others’ art: Check out this great acoustic cover of Jawbreaker‘s “Kiss the Bottle”:

Want to learn more? …

Official Lucero website

Like Lucero on Facebook

Follow Lucero on Twitter

Lucero at The Fort Worth Music Festival

Lucero plays The Fort Worth Music Festival at 8:30pm on Friday, September 30th.  This will be a fun one, so don’t miss out! Lucero wants YOU there!:

Peace & Love,

The Fort Worth Music Festival

www.fwfest.com

Tickets: Front Gate

FB: FWMusicFest

Twitter: FWMusicFestival

 Background

Seryn is a five piece band that calls Denton, Texas, just up the road from Fort Worth, home. Every member of Seryn is multi-talented, which helps the band create a powerful and cohesive sound that thrives in a live setting.  Are you a sucker for gorgeous harmonies like me? If so, one listen to Seryn and there’s no avoiding instant fandom. Check out one of our favorite videos, Beach Song live via Violinist Sessions to get a quick taste of what a Seryn live show has to offer:

Seryn members via Spune:

Chelsea – violin, percussion, and bird chirps
Aaron – bass, trumpet, cello and bear roars
Nathan – guitar, guitar, geeeter, banjo, and guitar. And some mouth sounds.
Chris – drums, banjo, pump organ, guitar, accordion, bells, earthquake stomps
Trenton- ukulele, banjo, accordion, sings the sung songs

This is Where We Are

It’s hard to believe that a band with a sound as solid as Seryn’s has released only one album, but when considering the challenge they must have faced in making an album nearly as powerful as their live show, it all makes sense. This is Where We Are  was produced by Britton Beisenherz (Ramble Creek) and released via Velvet Blue/Spune in May of 2011.  It’s 10 tracks has received stellar reviews.

“This record is made of sheer ethereal beauty…Seryn has harmonies so natural and organic that you would be hard pressed to find another band in the DFW area who can pull off these vocal arrangements. Every ounce of this band’s soul weaves in and out of this album as each song is beautifully crafted. This Denton quartet has the power to bewitch you with their music. From start to finish, This Is Where We Are casts a musical spell so strong that you’ll only be satisfied if you listen to the entire album. This Is Where We Are will likely be remembered as one of the most impressive debut LPs from a North Texas group in quite some time.” -Pegasus News

Listen to all 10 tracks of This Is Where We Are on Spotify by clicking HERE!

And watch a live performance of the title track here:

Fun Facts

• Paste Magazine named Seryn “The Best of What’s Next” in their May 2011 Issue. Check out the full article here: Seryn Best of What’s Next.
• Seryn is nominated in SIX different categories  for the 2011 Dallas Observer Music Awards (DOMA): Group Act / Best Album / Best Song /Folk Act / Male Vocalist: Trenton Wheeler /Instrumentalist: Chris Semmelbeck.  Voting officially started yesterday, so head over to the poll and fill out a ballot!
• Seryn is featured in the trailer for a new Disney movie, The Odd Life of Timothy Green. View it here, and listen closely!
• Seryn just finished hosting a T-shirt design contest.  We can’t wait to see the winning results!
• Seryn plays the Spune Fall Social THIS Friday September 9th at Dallas’ Club Dada with Fort Worth heroes Telegraph Canyon (previously featured in our blog!), Austin natives Balmorhea, and a few more from Spune’s impressive roster.  Some of the most gorgeous music you’ll hear live all year + free BBQ and beer (while supplies last) = guaranteed to overwhelm your senses in the best way possible. So, grab a ticket & make it out!

 Seryn @ Fort Worth Music Fest

Seryn plays the Side Stage of the Fort Worth Music Festival on Saturday October 1st, tying together a solid lineup of local DFW area bands and national headliner Dawes. (Dawes FW Music Fest Featured Artist Blog found here!)

The Fort Worth Music Festival is a mere three weeks away! So buy your (extremely inexpensive) tickets and come see us!

Peace & Love,

2011 Fort Worth Music Festival

www.fwfest.com

Tickets: Front Gate

FB: FWMusicFest

Twitter: FWMusicFestival

Lawn

• It’s finally cooling off in Texas! Visualize yourself and an extensive amount of art, food, and music on this beautiful shaded lawn (at the Will Rogers Memorial Center) in less than one month! We’re excited to hold the Fort Worth Music Festival on a lawn with trees.  We all know shade is necessary during full days in the Texas sun.

Tower

• The tall tower of the Will Rogers Memorial Center draws attention to big, beautiful, and usually blue Texas skies!

Lawn + Tower

Box Office

• It’s nice and vintage! We love it!
• Buy your tickets here so you too can walk through the threshold September 30th and October 1st!

Will Rogers Statue

• Will Rogers has a perfect view of the Main Stage!

And Just For Fun…Longhorns!

We can’t wait to see all of your smiling faces SOON! Remember, the Early Bird ticket price has been extended, so buy your tickets now.  Single Day passes are $5 and a weekend pass is $10. Seriously … what a deal for a music festival!

Peace & Love,

2011 Fort Worth Music Festival

www.fwfest.com

Tickets: Front Gate

FB: FWMusicFest

Twitter: FWMusicFestival

Background

Tatiana Mayfield was raised by a supportive family in Fort Worth, TX before heading up to Denton to get her degree in Jazz Studies at The University of North Texas.  In addition to acting as a member of the Jazz ensemble at UNT, Tatiana was awarded several times in the university community.   She received the “Outstanding Performance” award in the college “Jazz Vocal Soloist” category in Downbeat Magazine’s June 2009 and 2010 Student Award issues.  Tatiana currently performs with a quintet of UNT friends, including Erskine Hawkins, Joel Cross, Jacob Smith, and Brian Harmon. 

 From All Directions

With the help of the Erskine Hawkins Band, Tatiana Mayfield released her debut album, From All Directions, in October of 2009.  Additional UNT students act as supporting musicians on the album, so it was a natural yet deserving hit among the UNT community.

“Erskine met at the University of North Texas where they both studied and played together as part of school curriculum ensembles as well as on their own. Through this, they created a strong musical bond and have been performing together ever since. Therefore, this collaboritve project was only natural for them to do. They both exhibit a great amount of creativity in their styles and arrangements throughout the album. On this album, one will hear an array of styles from Swing and Blues, to Latin, Gospel, and Contemporary. It’s an amazing blend of styles that all people can enjoy from young to old!”

- All About Jazz

Tatiana Fun Facts

• In 2010, Tatiana was chosen as one of 12 semi-finalists to head to Washington DC to compete in the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition at the Smithsonian Museum.  Judges included Jazz icons Al Jarreau, Dianne Reeves, Patti Austin, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Kurt Elling.
• Tatiana turned 24 earlier this year.  She celebrated in style with a “birthday party” at which she performed for friends and fans at a packed Scat Jazz Lounge.  Check out DFW.com’s review of the show. 
• Tatiana will play at the Scat Jazz Lounge again on September 3rd at 9pm, so add it to your calendar! More info.
• Tatiana is nominated for a 2011 Dallas Observer Music Award (DOMA). She is nominated for “Best Jazz Act!” Voting starts soon, so keep tabs on the Dallas Observer Music Blog for more info!
• Tatiana loves to “scat!”  Scat singing is a style of vocal jazz improvisation in which the vocalist substitutes nonsense syllables for lyrics.  Scat singing is often used to imitate the type of melodic line that a jazz instrumentalist would play.
• Want to see Tatiana scat? Check out this video of her amazing rendition of Betty Carter‘s “Tight” … This girl’s got talent!  :

Follow Tatiana on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates! Have a question for her? Just ask! Tatiana is an active communicator with her fans.

Tatiana will play directly before jazz icon Kirk Whalum at The 2011 Fort Worth Music Festival on Saturday, October 1st. Her set time is 7:30pm, so if you want a place to sit and relax during her set, head out early! We’ll see you there!

Peace & Love,

2011 Fort Worth Music Festival

www.fwfest.com

Tickets: Front Gate

FB: FWMusicFest

Twitter: FWMusicFestival

Telegraph Canyon

Featured Artist

There seems to be widespread agreement that there are no words to sufficiently describe a Telegraph Canyon live show experience.  We hope this blog entry will lead you to draw your own conclusions based on the myriad of media and brave reviews we will share with you.  Telegraph Canyon is the brainchild of Chris Johnson, a Louisiana native.   After heading to Texas, Chris gathered some of Fort Worth’s best talent to help him work toward the vision that has become Telegraph Canyon. Although Chris’ has Lousiana in his blood, Telegraph Canyon is authentically Fort Worth. Chris Johnson (guitars, banjo, vocals) joins Chuck Brown (bass, vocals), Austin Green (drums, keys, bells), Tamara Cauble (violin, vocals), Brian McCorquodale (pedal steel, piano, percussion), Andrew Skates (organ, accordion, mandolin, guitar), and Erik Wolfe (guitar, bass drum) use Fort Worth as their base to practice beautifully blending their talents together to create the unique sound of Telegraph Canyon. In a show of true musicianship, band members are multi-talented, frequently changing instruments and chiming in on vocal harmonies and collective beat i.e. clapping.

“We make music for people that want something sincere and provoking, equal parts chaos and beauty, just like the world we live in.” – Telegraph Canyon

All  The Good News

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Telegraph Canyon released All The Good News in 2007.  The combination of the 10 track debut and strong live shows helped Telegraph Canyon gain underground attention, locally as well as internationally.  Watch Telegraph Canyon perform the title track at Dallas’ renowned Granada Theater (via ButIJustLikeMusic) : 

 The Tide and The Current

Telegraph Canyon’s second album, The Tide and The Current, was released in 2009 with the help of Spune/Velvet Blue.  The Tide and The Current is a huge success in the eyes of fans and critics alike. The Dallas Morning News, The Dallas Observer, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram,  and Reel Roots (Netherlands) all named The Tide and The Current  ”Album of the Year.”

Check out this video of Telegraph Canyon performing “Safe on the Outside” from The Tide and The Current:

Fun Facts

• Telegraph Canyon has shared bills with various established acts including Canadian innovators Broken Social Scene and Texas’ own Old 97s.
• Telegraph Canyon’s Austin Green and Andrew Skates created their very own screen printing company: Green Skates Screen Printing. Nice!
• The name “Telegraph Canyon” dates back to a time Chris and his friend spotted “Telegraph Canyon Road” in San Diego, CA.  With Telegraph meaning “message” and Canyon conveying”deep,” Telegraph Canyon is a perfect fit for the deep messages and connection that the band is able to instill it its listeners. 
  
• Telegraph Canyon performed at  Austin’s SXSW for the first time in 2009.  Check out the blog Chris kept for the Dallas Observer during the mayhem: Telegraph Canyon SXSW 2009.
• Following the SXSW theme, read an interview with Chris regarding their return to SXSW in 2010 here.
• The Tide and the Current was produced by prolific indie star Will Johnson. Not only is Will is the front-man of Denton-based bands Centromatic & South San Gabriel, but he has also collaborated with numerous high-profile artists including Athens staple The Drive-By Truckers and the overwhelmingly talented Monsters of Folk (Jim James, Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and  M.Ward). Check out this video of Telegraph Canyon performing “Shake Your Fist” with Will :

• Telegraph Canyon was just nominated for Best Group Act and Best Indie Act for the Dallas Observer Music Awards.  Congrats guys! Voting details coming soon!
• Telegraph Canyon will perform Saturday September 9th at the Spune Fall Social at Club Dada in Dallas with fellow show-stoppers Seryn and Balmorhea.  Tickets are available here. Get em’ while they’re there!

Want to learn more?

Additional Telegraph Canyon material to hold you over until the FW Music Fest:

Spune

TC Facebook

TC MySpace

Excellent Fort Worth Weekly article

Telegraph Canyon will play the Side Stage of the 2011 Fort Worth Music Festival at 6pm on Friday, September 30th. They play directly before Dawes (see: Dawes – Featured Artist), so head out early and grab a good spot! Looking forward to seeing you there,

2011 Fort Worth Music Festival

www.fwfest.com

Tickets: Front Gate

FB: FWMusicFest

Twitter: FWMusicFestival

Background

Dawes is a folk-rock band from the Los Angeles area that is winning the hearts of music lovers and critics daily with their solid Americana sound and impressive live show. Although Taylor Goldsmith, Griffin Goldsmith, Wylie Gelber, and Tay Straithairn have been playing together as Dawes for about three years, Taylor and Wylie had four additional years of experience playing together as part a previous band, Simon Dawes.  Simon Dawes disbanded when co-writer and guitarist Blake Mills left the group shortly after the release of their debut full-length album Carnivore in September of 2006.  Post Simon Dawes, Taylor’s younger brother Griffin (fresh out of school!) and friend Tay joined Taylor and Wylie to reemerge on the music scene as Dawes.

North Hills

Dawes released their debut album, North Hills, on August 18th, 2009.  North Hills was recorded in a live setting to analog tape which led Rolling Stone to call the album “authentically vintage.” North Hills features 11 tracks, including the undeniably catchy “When My Time Comes” that has had such widespread appeal that you may have heard it in your local coffee shop and/or in a national Chevy ad .  Check out this fantastic video of Dawes performing “When My Time Comes” via TenthRow:

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Nothing is Wrong

On June 7th, 2011 we saw the release of Dawes’ second album, Nothing is Wrong. Nothing is Wrong showcases 11 solidly crafted tracks. Highlights include the catchy “How Far We’ve Come” and “Fire Away” in which Jackson Browne contributes backing vocals.  This video of Dawes performing Nothing is Wrong‘s “If I Wanted Someone” in an alley in Chicago beautifully displays the harmony that is present in so many of Dawes recordings:

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Dawes Fun Facts

• Front-man Taylor Goldsmith took a brief break from Dawes in early 2010 to record and tour with friends John J. McCauley III of Deer Tick and Matt Vasquez of Delta Spirit.  The group played their (unannounced) first show at 2010’s SXSW under the pseudonym  “MG&V.”  “MG&V” evolved into “Middle Brother” later in the year.  Middle Brother returned to SXSW 2011 (as did Dawes) to play multiple shows. NPR captured Middle Brother’s set at Austin’s Auditorium Shores. Check it out here.
• Dawes recently announced a co-headlining tour with fellow west-coast folk-rockers Blitzen Trapper. The bands have gone above and beyond with this tour, releasing a FREE 6 song EP for all to enjoy before heading to the live show. So, head over to the Dawes website and download the EP!  This is a great way to add Dawes to your music library before you see them play at the 2011 Fort Worth Music Festival.
• Dawes have recorded an impressive nine sessions with Daytrotter.  Check out the archive here: Dawes Daytrotter Sessions.
• Watch Dawes display their versatility on the The Voice Project as they cover friends Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros‘ “Carries On.”

• We’ll leave you with one last Dawes treasure. We guarantee that this one will make you smile. Check it out: Dawes covering The Beatles’ “With a Little Help from My Friends” at The Troubadour in LA.

Don’t you just want to be there?

By now it should be apparent why we booked Dawes for the 2011 Fort Worth Music Festival. Dawes headlines the Side Stage of the Fort Worth Music Festival on Saturday October 1st at 7:30pm. Once again, make sure you get there early. Dawes will be in good company with a solid local lineup warming up the stage, including The Orbans and Telegraph Canyon. We’ll see you there, but remember to follow us on the web for updates in the meantime. Peace & Love,

2011 Fort Worth Music Festival

www.fwfest.com

Tickets: Front Gate

FB: FWMusicFest

Twitter: FWMusicFestival

Background / “N’Awlins”

Kermit Ruffins (Kermit) is a trumpeter, composer, and jazz icon from the beloved community of New Orleans, LA.  Kermit is a native of the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, a neighborhood infamous due to Hurricane Katrina’s devastation of the area, yet also famous for its cultural heritage and loyal community.  Like most of the local community, musicians from New Orleans are not timid about claiming “The Crescent City” as home.

This FrenchQuarter.com article summarizes the best local Jazz players in New Orleans, with Kermit topping an impressive list including the likes of Trombone Shorty, Irvin Mayfield, and Terrance Blanchard.

“For me, even after all of the things that we’ve gone through, the music of New Orleans makes things right.” – Kermit

Rebirth Brass Band

Kermit began playing trumpet in Junior High and moved on to co-found The Rebirth Brass Band in high school. Co-founded by Kermit in 1983, The Rebirth Brass Band began by marching on the streets of the French Quarter  for tips.  In a true grassroots fashion, Rebirth gained enough love to secure a residency at The Glass House, a venue famous for hosting one of Rebirth’s biggest influences, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band. 

Barbeque Swingers

Although the Rebirth Brass Band continues to enjoy success today, Kermit split from the group amicably in 1992 to found his next venture, The Barbeque Swingers. Check out the this interview to learn more about Kermit’s transition from from Brass Band to Swinger:

Kermit Fun Facts

• Kermit has been playing at New Orleans dive bar Vaughn’s in New Orleans every Thursday night for close to two decades.  Kermit’s weekly show has carved a unique niche for Vaughn’s with locals and tourists heading to the Ninth Ward consistently to check out the “famous Thursday night show.”   
• Kermit has been known to add a culinary facet to his shows by cooking barbeque and sharing it with his audience.
• Kermit is featured regularly on the HBO Series Treme , a series that chronicles the devastating events of Hurricana Katrina and its influence on New Orleans culture.
• Kermit is no stranger to pleasing a large music festival audience. In the past, he has played Austin City Limits, The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Voodoo Fest, and more.
• Kermit’s treasured trumpet is such an icon in New Orleans culture that a local NoLa magazine chose the word “trumpet” to represent its community. Interested in learning more about New Orleans culture? Check out The Trumpet!

Experiencing one of Kermit’s energetic shows is all it takes to prove that that performing for as many people as possible is a passion instilled in Kermit’s core.

We’ll leave you today with a v ideo of Kermit playing ”St. James Infirmary” at another classic New Orleans venue … Tiptina’s.

We hope you’ll join us Friday September 30th as we kick off the Fort Worth Music Festival. Kermit plays at 9pm, but the music starts at 4:30pm. So, Come out early!

More featured artists & news updates on the way. Follow us for updates!

Peace & Love,

Fort Worth Music Festival

www.fwfest.com

Facebook – FWMusicFest

Twitter – FWMusicFestival

The festival will feature a wide range of local, regional, and national acts. Although the name “Jazz by the Boulevard” is no longer, Jazz will continue to play an important role in the Fort Worth Music Festival. Headliners include Jazz icons Kermit Ruffins and Kirk Whalum.

In addition to the continued presence of Jazz, the Fort Worth Music Festival will showcase a slew of local talent from the likes of Telegraph Canyon, The Orbans, Whiskey Folk Ramblers, and Tatiana Mayfield.

The legendary Meat Puppets, established rockers Lucero, and rising stars Dawes will add national flare to the festival.

Want to learn more about our performing artists? We’ve got you covered. Starting tomorrow, we will devote at least one blog entry to each of the 20 bands that are schedule to perform at the 2011 Fort Worth Music Festival. We will also feature Fort Worth Music Festival food vendors, history, and those who make the festival possible.

Our goal with the Fort Worth Music Festival Blog is to inform and entertain our readers with content related to the Fort Worth Music Festival. Our blog will allow us to post comprehensive festival news and entertainment that will help prepare our patrons for the big weekend! (Sept. 30th – October 1st … Pencil it in!)

We are also looking for ideas from our fans for blog entries. What type of information would you like to read on our blog? What questions do you have about the Fort Worth Music Festival? Who are you most excited to see play at the festival? Talk to us! We’re listening!

Check back soon for our first “Featured Artist” post on Jazz favorite and 2011 Fort Worth Music Festival headliner Kermit Ruffins.

Meanwhile, go ahead and head to Front Gate to secure your tickets to the Fort Worth Music Festival early. Take advantage of our Early Bird special, and buy your tickets now until August 31st for only $5/day.

We hope you will all join our blog community! Peace & Love,

2011 Fort Worth Music Festival
Facebook: FWMusicFest
Twitter: FWMusicFestival