Whiskey Myers, Randy Rogers Band Top 2026 Syndicate Smokedown Music Bill

The Syndicate Smokedown & Music Festival is gearing up for its milestone 5th anniversary, returning to the historic Fort Worth Stockyards on April 18, 2026 — and organizers are celebrating with the event’s biggest music lineup to date.

The Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate unveiled the full slate of performers Monday, highlighted by Southern rock headliners Whiskey Myers, Texas country staples Randy Rogers Band, and GRAMMY winner Amanda Shires.

Public ticket sales begin Friday, December 12 at 10 a.m. CT via SyndicateSmokedown.com. Early-bird presale passes sold out within minutes earlier this fall, and with the 2025 event hitting capacity before show day, fans are encouraged to move quickly.

Founded in 2019, the not-for-profit festival pairs a high-powered live music lineup with one of Texas’ most competitive barbecue showdowns — all benefiting Texas youth in agriculture. The annual event has become a spring fixture in North Texas, drawing thousands to the Stockyards for outdoor performances, pitmaster competitions, and a showcase of community-driven philanthropy.

2026 Lineup Highlights

This year’s anniversary lineup brings together chart-toppers, GRAMMY winners, and rising voices across country, Red Dirt, and Americana:

• Whiskey Myers (Palestine, TX) – Returning to North Texas behind their acclaimed 2025 album Whomp Whack Thunder, the band brings a rare 2026 appearance to the Smokedown stage.
• Randy Rogers Band (San Marcos, TX) – The Texas country mainstays arrive fresh off the release of their new EP The Going and more than two decades of fan-favorite hits.
• Amanda Shires – The celebrated singer-songwriter and fiddler joins the bill following the release of her 2025 album Nobody’s Girl.
• Jason Scott & The High Heat – Oklahoma City’s fast-rising Americana-rock outfit lands in Fort Worth with momentum from their critically praised sophomore album American Gin.
• Ellis Bullard, The Broken Spokes, and Weldon Henson round out the bill with a slate of Texas-centric honky-tonk and traditional country.

“For our 5th anniversary, we wanted a lineup that felt both elevated and unmistakably Texas,” Festival Director Andy Eldridge said in a statement. “From Whiskey Myers and Randy Rogers Band to Amanda Shires and our all-Texas lineup during BBQ Time, this is the biggest music lineup we’ve ever produced.”

Ticket Options for 2026

Festival passes start at $45+, with tiered packages available:

• Music Time ($75+) – Access to all live music and festival grounds (food and drink available for purchase).
• BBQ Time ($134+) – Includes Music Time plus entry to the BBQ arena and complimentary samples from noon–4 p.m. (while supplies last).
• VIP ($245+) – Adds premium viewing, shaded lounge access, VIP bars, upgraded restrooms, early entry and express lanes.
• Platinum ($616+) – The festival’s most exclusive tier featuring enhanced hospitality, concierge support, complimentary beverages, and ultra-premium viewing.

Each ticket supports the Syndicate’s mission to fund youth agriculture programs across Texas, including scholarships and the annual Junior Sale of Champions at the Fort Worth Stock Show.

A Festival With Purpose

Proceeds from the event directly fuel educational opportunities for FFA and 4-H students. Through the Syndicate’s Jim Bob Norman Scholarship Fund and livestock purchase programs, the organization awards substantial financial support annually to young Texans pursuing agriculture-related projects and careers.

The festival’s IBCA-sanctioned BBQ competition — featuring a purse exceeding $20,000 — is open to both professional and backyard teams, with registration opening this month.

As the festival enters its fifth year, organizers promise more announcements in early 2026, including team registration details, vendor lists, festival maps, and special programming to mark the anniversary.

For tickets and updates, visit SyndicateSmokedown.com or follow @SyndicateSmokedown on social media.