This coming January, more precisely, January 5th – 10th, 2026, the 40th Steamboat MusicFest will take place.  MusicFest has been described as “The Superbowl of Texas Music”, and anyone who’s ever been would say that’s an accurate statement.

 

In this episode Carly and Pete were able to visit with the founder and creator of this incredible event, Mr. John Dickson.  John recounts how he first got the idea to create such a unique festival and how it has grown to be universally regarded as the Best of the Best of Texas / Red Dirt Music Festivals.

 

If you’ve never been to a MusicFest in Steamboat Springs, CO, and you’re a fan of this kind of music, it certainly needs to be on your bucket list.  Attendees of MusicFest will see their favorite musicians perform in various settings from intimate bars and huge outdoor stages at the base of the mountain, to the “Largest Dancehall in Colorado” – a climate-controlled tent brought in especially for MusicFest, that can hold 3,000 people!

 

Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, August 27th and reservations can be made by clicking this LINK.  And you better get on it early because the festival sells out every year!  Packages include access to all musical performances, lodging, lift tickets, ski rentals and more!

 

John is also responsible for various other destination music festivals including the all-inclusive Big Beach Fest in Costa Rica coming up this June!

 

A great big TROUBADOUR THANK YOU goes out to John and all the fine folks at Dickson Productions for getting this episode lined up as well as their massive contributions to Texas County and Red Dirt music for decades!

 

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