The 2024 version of the Two Step Inn came to an end as the Turnpike Troubadours closed with their 2017 hit “Pay no Rent.” 

During the lead up to the festival it looked like April showers in Georgetown, Texas, may cause the festival planners to make changes to the Saturday lineup. Eventually, the concern became reality as they bumped Ryan Bingham’s set from the festival. Despite the challenges the storms caused, this year’s festival, held April 20-21, was a smashing success. 

In addition to music, the Two Step Inn Country Music Festival offered a variety of activities and attractions for attendees to partake in. Food vendors served up delicious southern cuisine, satisfying hungry appetites with tasty treats and hearty meals. Artisan vendors showcased their wares, offering unique handmade goods for festival-goers to peruse and purchase as souvenirs of their time at the festival.

Here are some of the memorable moments from the festival:

Drake Milligan

Arlington’s Drake Milligan took to the stage on Saturday and started off with an energetic cover of Elvis Preseley’s “Blue Suede Shoes.” Milligan is currently on tour, and will be at the Big as Texas Festival in Conroe on May 12 before heading off to Oklahoma.

Pat Green Band

The Pony-Up stage saw The Pat Green Band take to the stage on Saturday as the Texas country music staple played songs from his catalog which spans over twenty-plus years.

Cody Johnson 

The threat of a severe storm may have caused Ryan Bingham to be bumped from the lineup, but Cody Johnson made sure the fans were treated to a show. “I am going to play until they kick me off the stage,” promised Johnson.

Charley Crockett 

Saturday’s rain let up, and brought a beautiful spring day on Sunday. Acts like Jake Worthington, Sierra Ferrell, and others performed during the day. In the afternoon, one of the more anticipated acts took to the stage. Charley Crockett, whose new album $10 Cowboy was released on April 26, has embarked on a tour which includes stops in Texas, including the historic Broken Spoke in Austin on April 29. If you missed that show, he will be back in Texas with more performances in September.

Hank Williams Jr

There are artists who have made an indelible impact on a person’s life; for me Hank Williams Jr is one of those artists. Taking to the stage with “ICON” on his hat and guitar strap, the country music legend brought the crowd to their feet. Playing his classic songs like “All my Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight,” “Country Boy Can Survive,” to a striped down medley of “Outlaw Women / Dinosaur / There’s a Tear in My Beer / All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down / I Walk the Line,” Hank Williams Jr. proved just why he is an ICON!

Ludacris

Ludacris and Lil’ Fate brought a change of pace to the Pony-Up stage on Sunday. “It feels really good to be the only rapper at a country music festival,” Ludarcis mused.

Turnpike Troubadours

As the sun set on the Big River stage, so came a close to the second annual Two Step Inn. The Turnpike Troubadours were the last performers, and they sent the crowd home happy. 

Two Step Inn has introduced country music fans to new artists, but has also made sure to honor country music’s roots. Fans were left with excitement as to what next year’s lineup could be. One sentiment, which I heard a lot, was “This is my favorite festival.” As the old Roy Rogers and wife, Dale Evans, sang so long ago “Happy trails to you…Until we meet again!”

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Cover Photo Charles Reagor

Brian Maass is a native Austinite who has a passion for music, travel and sharing his experiences through his camera lens. He lives in Round Rock, Texas, with his wife Dana Kent Maass and their faithful dog Chester.