The Troubadour Festival first came to Celina last year to a sellout crowd and was a huge success. The event organizers desired to create a festival unlike any other in the State of Texas that would highlight legendary, award-winning BBQ with outstanding entertainment by well-known country music artists. In addition to Celina, the festival is also held in Tyler and Georgetown, Texas.
The festival began as an idea from lifelong friends and now business partners. Chase Colston and Cody Johnson, event organizers and co-owners of Double Tap Entertainment LLC, have been friends since kindergarten, both growing up in a small East Texas town. When they started their entertainment company, Colston says they wanted to create “something big and dynamic” in a place like where they grew up. He continues, “usually in a small town you have to drive to a concert, but we wanted to do the opposite and bring the concert to the small town."
So why pick Celina? Troubadour organizers agree that Celina is a great place where they felt supported immediately. The population of Celina and surrounding communities fit the demographics of people that liked delicious BBQ and country music from many Texas artists. Chase states that the City, Chamber of Commerce, and the Celina Economic Development Corporation welcomed the festival and “had faith in our event. We are honored to be here for a second year.”
This year, the music will be even better, especially with the announcement of Randy Rogers Band listed as the headliner, a major accomplishment for the festival. Randy Rogers Band is originally from San Marcos with Randy Rogers himself hailing from the DFW Metroplex (Cleburne, Texas). The band has over seven albums recorded with seven singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart.
The other musical line-ups include musical acts like Wade Bowen, Reckless Kelly, Muscadine Bloodline, and Chris Colston (cousin of the festival organizer, Chase Colston who is extremely proud to witness his cousin perform at the festival).
And what goes better with country music than tasty Texas BBQ? Troubadour Festival will host forty BBQ restaurants from all over the Lone Star State and nation, sixteen of which are from a popular Texas magazine’s “Best BBQ” list. Of course, Celina’s own Tender Smokehouse will be there. Other famous BBQ joints attending include Heim BBQ, Hutchins BBQ, Kreuz Market, Lockhart Smokehouse, and the nationally known Hoodoo Brown BBQ (from Connecticut, featured both on the Travel and Cooking Channels).
Advertised as a “Texas BBQ and music experience”, this year will bring some changes as well. There will be an expanded VIP area with more restrooms and drink areas. The General Admission area will have more pathways in the lawn area for walking around and easier access. Finally, the shuttle bus location will be moved to an area closer to town and Old Celina Park.
As anticipated, the VIP tickets to the Troubadour Festival sold out within five hours and general admission is expected to sell out as well. No tickets will be sold at the gate during the event. For more information visit troubadourfestival.com