BLUEGRASS iS IN FAR WEST TEXAS!
Bluegrass music is in Far West Texas! The hottest bluegrass lineup in Far West Texas is brought to you by the City of Alpine and the Big Bend Bluegrass Association. Discounted rates are available for accommodations! Get your advanced tickets now and save!
Bluegrass Lineup for 2025
The Larry Stephenson Band
The award-winning Larry Stephenson Band has been entertaining audiences for 30 years including their numerous performances on the Grand Ole Opry, RFD-TV and headlining festivals and concerts across the US and Canada. The group is led by Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame member and 5-time Society for The Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA) Male Vocalist of the year. They also inducted Stephenson into their Hall of Greats in 2018. With
numerous IBMA and SPBGMA nominations and awards, Larry records on his own label, Whysper Dream Music.
Highly regarded, as one of Bluegrass music’s most recognizable and finest high lead and tenor vocalist, Larry Stephenson has been headlining festivals and concerts for 30 years. He formed The Larry Stephenson Band in 1989 while living in his home state of Virginia. Larry’s crystal-clear tenor voice has provided a musical home for some of the finest sidemen in contemporary bluegrass history. Many appearances on the Grand Ole Opry and RFD-TV has made The Larry Stephenson Band a fan favorite across the US and Canada.
EDGAR LOUDERMILK BAND
- 2024 SPBGMA Bass Player of the Year
- 2023 SPBGMA Bass Player of the Year
- 2023 Male Vocalist of the Year
- Evan Dickerson Bluegrass Band of the Year Award
- Evan Dickerson Banjo Player of the Year Award
Rural Rhythm Records recording artist Edgar Loudermilk’s signature voice, bass skills, and songwriting are a family tradition for this Louvin Brothers’ descendant. Loudermilk’s distinctive and powerful vocals cut to the heart of a song, while also winning over audiences with his friendly, down-home style. Having experienced a long tenure of performing, including several industry awards, with IIIrd Tyme Out, Rhonda Vincent, and Marty Raybon. Edgar has also had monumental success with the IBMA Emerging Artist nomination for his duo work with Adkins & Loudermilk. Edgar wrote or co-wrote the majority of the music that topped and still remains on the bluegrass charts from the Adkins & Loudermilk album release. Edgar’s music is a mainstay on bluegrass radio and he has been a “Most Played” Sirius Bluegrass Radio Musician since his start.
Purple Hulls
Born and raised on a working family farm in deep East Texas, identical red-headed twins Katy Lou and Penny Lea Clark learned the value of hard work and the goodness of country life, and were blessed to grow up in an environment that cultivated their God given apt for music. With music and athletic ability in their family blood, it came as little surprise when the twins made their way to play basketball and study music at South Plains College in Levelland, TX. After three years in West Texas, the Clarks moved to the hills of Tennessee, where they quickly gained work touring as backing musicians for various country artists, working for the Grand Ole Opry, and writing songs for Nashville’s biggest publishing company, Sony ATV. After five fruitful years in Music City and the Lord leading them back to their home state, The Purple Hulls continue their travels based from their family farm (where they really grow purple hulls peas!) and for the last twelve years have been sharing their unique and authentic, uplifting and energetic acoustic driven music with churches, festivals, and venues across the horizons of America & Europe.
Catahoula Drive
Catahoula Drive began on a whim when four friends got together for an impromptu jam session. A few hours into the session, the guys decided to enter a band contest at the SPBGMA Awards show, in Nashville, TN. After placing 5th out of 25 bands, the band picked up several bookings before leaving the convention. With that, the guys decided to formally become a touring band and have been entertaining audiences ever since. In 2017 they were invited back to SPBGMA to perform on the mainstage, this time as artist rather than contest participants. Touring mostly in La., MS., TX. and Ark. the band has built up quite a fan base. They are very passionate about their music but also provide a laid back, often humorous show that ensures the audience that the band is having a good time. The guys love meeting new people, as well as seeing old friends. That is reflected anytime they are approached off stage. They hope to continue to travel and entertain audiences for years to come.
The Edwards Brothers
The Edwards Brothers are musicians, and not just any musicians. Both young men play multiple instruments; Davis is part of the AMS band, where he plays the saxophone, and Everett is part of the high school jazz band, where he plays his favorite instrument, the guitar. Everett is also a talented singer. As for formal music lessons, their school band is the closest they have come. Their beginnings started as early as three years old for Davis and around six for Everett. Hunter Edwards, their dad, said, “We have a photo of the boys sitting on the couch next to one another, and Davis has a mini accordion, and Everett has a toy guitar, and both of them are just going at it.” Both young men say their love of music comes from being around it all their lives. “My mom’s family plays multiple instruments, and her dad, my granddad, has the uncanny ability to just pick up any instrument and play it within a short time. He gifted me with my first, real guitar, a Martin OM 21,” Everett said. Both boys play the drums and the penny whistle, but their main instruments are the Cajun accordion for Davis and the guitar for Everett. While guitars are a common instrument around these parts, accordions are unique, the Cajun accordion even more so.
Their love of music knows no bounds; they like it all and have been exposed to all kinds of music growing up, thanks in part to their dad and his eclectic collection.
Credit: Alpine Avalanche: Kara Gerbert
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Friday Performances
4:30-5:20 PM The Purple Hulls
5:30-6:20 PM Catahoula Drive
6:30-7:20 PM Edgar Loudermilk Band
7:30-8:30 PM Larry Stephenson Band
Saturday Workshops – Alpine Civic Center
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM How to Swing-Up Bluegrass – Katy Lou & Penny Lea
11:00 AM – 12:00 AM Edgar Loudermilk
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Guitar Workshop @ Jam tent
Saturday Performances
12:00 – 12:45 PM Sul Ross Guitar Ensemble
1:00 – 1:50 PM Catahoula Drive
2:00 – 2:50 PM The Purple Hulls
3:00 – 3:50 PM Edgar Loudermilk
4:00 – 4:50 PM Larry Stephenson
5:00 – 5:45 PM The Edwards Brothers
6:00 – 6:50 PM The Purple Hulls
7:00 – 7:50 PM Catahoula Drive
8:00 – 8:50 PM Edgar Loudermilk Band
9:00 – 10:00 PM Larry Stephenson Band
Sunday Performance
6:00 PM Edgar Loudermilk @ The Ritchey
Lineup/schedule is subject to change without notice
