This trio’s exuberant alchemy of hot jazz, Texas swing, quirky humor and wicked improvisation has won hearts all over the world. They were a fan favorite at our 2019 Festival and we’re sure they will be this year too!

...with a special guest!

The winner of our Emerging Artist Showcase will be opening tonight’s show!

Come watch the Showcase on Saturday afternoon (August 10) starting at 12:20 pm in The Studio. Our finalists — five of your new favorite acts! — will be performing for the judges. It’s FREE!

Currently based in Austin, Texas, the Hot Club of Cowtown mixes Elana James’ groovy fiddling, Whit Smith’s jazzy guitar work, and Jake Erwin’s mischievous slapping bass.

The band has toured extensively worldwide for over twenty-five years, both on its own and with artists from Bob Dylan to Willie Nelson to the Squirrel Nut Zippers. Their long list of career highlights includes performing at the grand opening of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, and traveling as US State Department Musical Ambassadors to Azerbaijan, Armenia, Algeria, the Republic of Georgia, and the Sultanate of Oman. They have been inducted into the Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame.