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by Editorial Staff / December 8, 2025
Community News

Sydicate Smokedown & Music Festival Fifth Anniversary Lineup Announced

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The Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate today is thrilled to announce the full music lineup for the 2026 Syndicate Smokedown & Music Festival, Cowtown’s premier large-scale nonprofit music festival and BBQ competition, returning for its milestone 5th anniversary on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the iconic Fort Worth Stockyards.

The not-for-profit BBQ competition and live-music festival has grown into one of North Texas’ most anticipated spring events, blending nationally recognized artists, award-winning pitmasters, and a mission-driven commitment to supporting Texas youth in agriculture.

The festival’s long-awaited public ticket on-sale begins Friday, December 12, at 10:00 a.m. CT at SyndicateSmokedown.com. With 2026 early-bird presale tickets selling out in a matter of minutes this fall and with the 2025 festival having fully sold out of tickets ahead of show day, fans are encouraged to snag their tickets before it’s too late.

The 2026 Music Lineup: A 5th Anniversary Celebration

Anchored by some of the most exciting names in modern country, Red Dirt, and Americana music, with a special spotlight on native Texas talent, this year’s music lineup brings a dynamic mix of artists to the Stockyards for a full day of performances. With multiple GRAMMY winners, chart-topping acts, and breakout Texas artists, the 5th anniversary showcases the festival’s biggest musical offering to date.

The full lineup is below in billing order with set times and additional programming to be released early next year:

  • Whiskey Myers (Palestine, TX): Fresh off a year of major festival headlining slots and a new album (Whomp Whack Thunder) that debuted to critical acclaim this September, the Southern rock powerhouse returns to North Texas with a high-octane live show known for blistering guitar riffs and crowd-roaring sing-alongs. Their 2025 tour sold out venues nationwide, making their Smokedown headlining set all the more special, as it is one of only two concerts currently announced for next year.
  • Randy Rogers Band (San Marcos, TX): A true cornerstone of Texas country music, Randy Rogers Band recently celebrated two decades of Red Dirt dominance and a successful 2025 headlining touring run that was capped with the October release of the band’s newest EP, The Going. With multiple Top 10 Billboard country albums and a fanbase spanning generations, the band brings a signature blend of authentic storytelling and Texas dancehall spirit to the Smokedown’s main stage.
  • Amanda Shires (Nashville, TN): Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter and acclaimed fiddler Amanda Shires arrives in Fort Worth following a nationally praised album (Nobody’s Girl) released this September. Her deeply emotional songwriting and genre-bending style add a powerhouse voice to the 2026 lineup.
  • Jason Scott and The High Heat (Oklahoma City, OK): One of today’s fastest-rising, new-age country outfits, these multi-faceted musicians blend rock, folk, and country influences in a sound that’s earned recent NPR praise and a rapidly growing touring footprint, having just released their sophomore album (American Gin) to high praise from critics and fans alike.
  • Ellis Bullard (Austin, TX): A honky-tonk revivalist known for his reputation for rowdy live shows and classic Texas swagger.
  • The Broken Spokes (Houston, TX): Houston’s beloved traditional country band known for steel-guitar twang and timeless two-stepping energy.
  • Weldon Henson (Austin, TX): A dancehall favorite whose high-energy sets have made him a staple of Texas’ traditional country scene.

“For our 5th anniversary, we wanted a lineup that felt both elevated and unmistakably Texas,” said Andy Eldridge, Smokedown Festival Director, Fort Worth resident, and longtime member of the Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate. “From Whiskey Myers and Randy Rogers Band to Amanda Shires and our all-Texas lineup during BBQ Time, this is the biggest music lineup year we’ve ever produced – one that should make the perfect soundtrack for a memorable day in the Stockyards.”

Photo courtesy of Syndicate Smokedown & Music Festival

2026 Ticket Sale Information

Fans can secure their spot at the festival starting this Friday, December 12 at 10:00 a.m. CT via SyndicateSmokedown.com, starting at just $45+.

Ticket packages include:

  • Music Time ($75+): A budget-conscious approach to experience the full music lineup and enjoy access to the festival grounds. Guests can explore vendors, bars, and general festival activities throughout the Stockyards with food and drink available for purchase, although the BBQ competition and samplings are not included.
  • BBQ Time ($134+): Includes everything in ‘Music Time’ plus access to the heart of the festival: the BBQ arena. Enjoy entry into the competition zone, BBQ samplings from Noon to 4:00 p.m. (while supplies last), and the chance to meet the pitmasters competing for Smokedown’s $20,000+ purse.
  • VIP ($245+): Includes all amenities included in the ‘BBQ Time’ ticket package, plus premium concert viewing, a private shaded lounge, dedicated VIP bars, upgraded restrooms, early entry, and express entry lanes.
  • Platinum ($616+): The most exclusive and premier way to experience Syndicate Smokedown. Includes all VIP amenities plus ultra-premium viewing, enhanced hospitality perks, complimentary beverages, and concierge-style support throughout the day. An extremely limited quantity is available for purchase.

“Syndicate Smokedown is built for fans – whether you want to soak up the smoke, get front row for the headliner, or make this Saturday experience part of a full weekend adventure in the historic Stockyards,” added Andy Eldridge. “But no matter which pass you buy, every single ticket purchase directly helps a Texas kid and supports this great state’s agriculture industry.”

Photo courtesy of Syndicate Smokedown & Music Festival

About The Event, The Cause & The Organizers

Syndicate Smokedown is unlike any festival in Texas. Founded in 2019 as a not-for-profit fundraiser, the event is produced entirely by the Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate, a volunteer-led organization dedicated to supporting Texas youth in agriculture.

For more than 30 years, the Syndicate has provided meaningful financial support to 4-H and FFA students through several major efforts. Throughout the year, Syndicate members contribute directly to youth-led livestock and Texas agriculture projects. During the Fort Worth Stock Show’s annual Junior Sale of Champions — happening this year on February 7, 2026 — Syndicate members, alongside the general public, purchase the animals raised by young exhibitors, generating essential funding for their projects, education, and future agricultural work.

In addition to these initiatives, the Syndicate’s Jim Bob Norman Scholarship Fund has awarded countless $10,000 scholarships to students pursuing college degrees and ag-related careers across Texas, with funds raised in part through the Syndicate Smokedown event.

Held each April, the springtime festival brings the community together through great music, great food, and a shared spirit of Texas generosity. Thousands of fans pack into the historic Stockyards for a full day of live music across two outdoor stages along with one of the most competitive BBQ showdowns in the state, as the Syndicate Smokedown BBQ competition is an official International Barbeque Cookers Association (IBCA) State Championship–sanctioned contest.

The event’s signature BBQ competition – open to both professional pitmasters and amateur backyard teams – features a $20,000+ purse, making it one of the richest one-day BBQ competitions in the Lone Star State. Registration opens to the general public in December, and spots historically fill quickly.

During the competition, attendees who purchase the BBQ Time ticket package receive complimentary, unlimited BBQ samples from participating pitmasters between Noon and 4:00 p.m., while supplies last. Once BBQ Time concludes, additional food and beverages will be available for purchase.

The Syndicate Smokedown event stands as an annual celebration of the Syndicate’s mission and the community it serves. More than a festival, it is both a major fundraiser and a powerful storytelling moment – giving visitors a clear view of how their ticket purchase strengthens Texas agriculture and supports the next generation of ranchers, welders, ag scientists, veterinarians, and the many professions that keep Fort Worth and the great state of Texas thriving.

Stay tuned for additional announcements in the coming months – including BBQ team registration details, festival maps, schedules, vendor information, and special 5th anniversary programming – by visiting SyndicateSmokedown.com and following along on social media at @SyndicateSmokedown.

 

BBQCommunity NewsFort Worth FoodFort Worth musicMusic FestivalStock Show SyndicateSyndicate Smokedown

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