Music Fest

Imagine lounging in the cool grass along the Guadalupe River, listening to the soulful, laidback rhythms of reggae legends The Wailers. This August, Roddy Tree Ranch will host the two-day Reggae on the Guadalupe Festival, headlined by The Wailers and featuring Nautical Nation, Henry and The Invisibles, Cowboy Irie and more.

The festival will mark the grand opening of the newlybuilt Starry Nights Amphitheater, a construction project by the ranch’s own Asbury family during the downtime of quarantine.

“It's a family place: built by our family for yours,” said Jake Asbury, executive director of Roddy Tree Ranch. “My dad has been a contractor for over 50 years, and he’s put so much hard work into this place.”

In addition to working as contractors and running Roddy Tree Ranch, the Asbury family has deep roots in a rich and varied Texas music scene, connections they want to continue from their location in the Hill Country.

“I grew up with my father in bands,” Asbury said. “He started a music venue when I was about 8 or so. I grew up being around him, listening to all different types of music. He was an Elvis impersonator for Chuy’s in Austin for 30 years. I was baby Elvis in all the parades in Austin.”

Asbury and his Dad wanted to spotlight the wide variety of music available in Texas rather than focus on single styles, but they also wanted it to be accessible to Texans and their families without having to drive four hours to Dallas or three to The Woodlands near Houston.

“We realized people like an array of genres, a wide variety of musical styles, not just country. We’ve done a Reggae on the River prior to this. This is our eighth one,” Asbury said. “It started out as something new that people can enjoy that wasn’t the norm. People want to experience things that they don’t have to travel too much to get to.”

They’re certain Roddy Tree Ranch in Ingram — less than two hours drive from San Marcos — will prove to be just the thing. The 45-acre resort boasts 800 feet of Guadalupe River frontage, as well as cabins and camping facilities.

“It’s the destination that makes the festival that much more special. I would say, I’ve seen a lot of different spots, and I haven’t seen one quite like this,” Asbury said. “It’ll be a great chance to camp along the river and listen to great music.”

With the addition of the Starry Nights Amphitheater, the Asbury family is able to open their venue for bigger plans, and as the pandemic winds down, they’re able to provide a safe, outdoor music experience for families throughout Central Texas.

“Everybody’s tired of having four walls around them,” Asbury said. “With the new amphitheatre, we can do it in a way that completely dwarfs anything we’ve done in the past. Our hopes are that we want to have three or four big festivals. We’ve got this ranch and resort where people can experience a festival-like setting. That would be awesome.”

The two-day Reggae on the Guadalupe Festival is scheduled for August 20-22 at Starry Nights Amphitheater in Ingram. In addition to 20-plus musical acts, the festival will feature fire dancers, art installations and food vendors. For more information or to purchase tickets to the event, visit lazydaysandstarrynights.com.