Troubadour Festival To Bring Texas Music, Barbecue To Texas A&M’s Aggie Park May 20

Aggie Park, Texas A&M University’s 20-acre green space in the heart of campus, is slated to host its first-ever music festival this month. The Troubadour Festival, with country music stars Midland set to headline, will bring dozens of musical acts to Aggieland on Saturday, May 20, along with dozens of the state’s most celebrated barbecue restaurants.

The university opened Aggie Park last September after more than two years of construction that transformed a swath of green space located across from Kyle Field between Houston and Throckmorton streets. Texas music legend Robert Earl Keen Jr. ’78 played on the opening day, and since then the park has hosted more than 70 events. Troubadour Festival, the first event of its kind to be held at the venue, will bring a lineup of eight country music acts to Aggie Park’s main stage and a secondary stage.

“Aggie Park has opened up new opportunities for exciting events like Troubadour Festival to serve both our students and the community at-large,” said Susan Ballabina, chief external affairs officer and senior vice president of academic and strategic collaborations. “Aggie Park is quickly becoming a destination for making memories, and we look forward to welcoming major events for years to come.”

Tickets are on sale now.

Festival Details

Four Troubadour Festivals have been produced since the debut event in November 2021 in Celina, Texas. Festival co-owner and promoter Chase Colston said attendees will have the opportunity to sample barbecue from 35 of the best and most celebrated restaurants in Texas while watching live country music on two stages, making for an “unforgettable Saturday” at Aggie Park.

Colston said he couldn’t imagine a better location to host one of the nation’s largest barbecue and music events.

“Being able to hold this event on campus at Texas A&M and at the brand-new Aggie Park was an opportunity we are fortunate to have, and we’re looking forward to Troubadour Festival making an impact on the community and the university for years to come,” Colston said.

Pit masters from Black’s Barbecue (Lockhart, Austin, New Braunfels, San Marcos), 1775 Texas Pit BBQ (College Station), Truth BBQ (Brenham, Houston) and other participating restaurants will serve up samples of smoked meats and other fare to VIP and BBQ & Music ticket holders. Texas A&M barbecue experts, including the Brisketeers, will also be on hand to answer questions about the science of barbecue, explain cuts and share tips and tricks to serve up the best barbecue at home. Staff from event sponsor KAMU TV/FM will interview several of the pit masters on air, and attendees can also visit the station’s booth for water and free promotional items.

The PBS and NPR station members will also interview musical act Shane Smith & The Saints. The band has been featured on Paramount Network’s acclaimed show “Yellowstone,” including an on-screen performance in the fifth season’s premiere episode.

The lineup is rounded out by Charlie Robison, Uncle Lucius and Treaty Oak Revival. Secondary stage artists include Braxton Keith, Graycie York and Rachel LaRen.

Brandy Tuck, Brazos Valley partnership manager for Texas A&M’s Economic Development and Community Impact Department, said Troubadour Festival is a good example of the type of events the university aims to host in the future. The department partnered on the event with Destination Bryan, which was responsible for bringing the festival to Aggieland for the first time.

“We’re bringing in Grammy-winning music, award-winning barbecue and some of the best pit masters in the state all in one place, and this is an opportunity to show the community a different side of campus,” Tuck said.

For more information about the festival and to purchase tickets, visit the Troubadour Festival website.