WoodyFest 2026
Just like that, another WoodyFest has come and gone. This one seemed to fly by even quicker than usual for some reason, but it was a memorable one all the same. New venues shaped the 2026 festival experience in interesting ways. The usual Crystal Theater performances moved to the spacious Okemah Middle School auditorium, branded as the “Ain’t Got No Home Stage.” Shows that typically filled the Hen House shifted outdoors to the Okemah Main Street Off Broadway Stage, dubbed the “Bound For Glory Stage” though several artists jokingly called it the “Bound For Heatstroke Stage.” It was undeniably hot, but the awnings, adjacent cooling tent, and those handy hand-held fans complete with printed schedules handed out by volunteers proved to be lifesavers. As always, the evening headline sets took place at the “Pastures of Plenty Stage.” I always try to catch as many performances as possible, though timing, logistics, and the occasional reviewer’s choice inevitably shape that experience. Here’s how it unfolded for me.
Thursday kicked off at the Okemah Middle School’s “Ain’t Got No Home Stage,” which handled the bulk of the daytime programming. Daytime sets run about 45 minutes, alternating every half hour with the second stage. It started with a strong song swap featuring Tom Breiding, Tz Wright, and RT Valine and honored longtime collaborator and festival participant Terry “Buffalo” Ware who was absent this year while navigating health concerns. Solid solo sets followed from Nancy Apple and Chris Buhalis, along with Monica Taylor and Travis Fite.
The first WoodyFest panel of the weekend delivered what became my favorite single song performance of the entire festival. Hosted by Deanna McCloud, the “Musical Legends 2025 Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame Inductees” panel featured WoodyFest artists covering songs from this year’s inductees. John Fullbright took on Tom Paxton, Peggy Johnson tackled Jackson Browne, and Casii Stephan stepped in as a last-minute fill-in for a delayed Crys Matthews absolutely owning a cover of Aretha Franklin. But it was Ben Jones’ haunting rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Tower of Song” that stood out and was a genuine top-five all-time WoodyFest moment for me.
Next came the first of three sets I caught from Butch Hancock over the weekend, this one in a lively song swap with another favorite Betty Soo whom I would also see a couple more times and joined by his son Rory on guitar. Ben Jones returned later for his own full set this time with collaborator Colin Brooks for a fabulous set of songs that closed out the daytime shows at the school. The first night at the Pastures of Plenty offered surprisingly mild temperatures and strong music. Melissa Carper returned this year following a previous solo set as well as a Sad Daddy set last year. This year she was joined by Bonnie Montgomery as well as Jesse Aycock and got things rolling with a fun set. Festival favorite Ellis Paul was up next and debuted a beautiful new touring guitar and was joined by frequent collaborator Radoslav Lorković . As usual the mighty Red Dirt Rangers closed the night with their signature energy and rotating band of guests including Patti Steel.
I unfortunately didn’t make it to the Bound For Glory Stage on Thursday and regrettably missed Daniel Bolwan who was last year’s Youth Songwriter winner as well as sets by Riley Amanda and the Lighthouse Family Band. Hopefully next year.
Friday began for me at Buford Lee’s Rocky Road Tavern catching some open mic action and catching up with my friend singer-songwriter Josh Polaschec. I then headed to the middle school for Elizabeth Wise’s impressive folk and blues set highlighted by her strong slide guitar work. A standout panel followed next: “What Are You Fighting For: Celebrating Phil Ochs’ Radical Life and Legacy,” hosted by Amy Zoeller and featuring Ellis Paul, Butch Hancock, and Chris Buhalis for discussion and songs. I then made my way to the Bound For Glory Stage for one of my personal festival favorites My Politic (Kaston Guffey and Nick Pankey). The duo weren’t originally on this year’s schedule but happened to be touring in the vicinity and happily stepped in when an opening occurred and delivered yet another memorable WoodyFest set. Grant Peeples followed with a powerful solo performance as well as a brief reading from his book. Back at the Ain’t Got No Home Stage a spirited song swap with Tim Easton, Peggy Johnson, and Crys Matthews hit the spot before I strolled down the hill and caught a bit of Shawna Russell who I had really enjoyed last year followed by another song swap featuring Monica Taylor, Jared Tyler, and Travis Fite who was filling in for a delayed Carter Sampson. I headed back up the hill for Betty Soo’s solo set which was just wonderful followed by a magical ensemble billed as Friends of Amram and included The Red Dirt Rangers, Chris Buhalis, Radoslav Lorković, Tim Easton on drums no less, and Patti Steel and honored the great David Amram who couldn’t make the trip this year and was tremendously missed.
My last stop of the afternoon was back at Bound For Glory for one of my favorite new discoveries: Joleen Brown. Essentially backed by John Fullbright and his band she delivered a standout showcase of her country stylings that ranked among my fest highlights. Daytime shows wrapped and everyone migrated to the Pastures of Plenty. Jacob Tovar and his raucous classic honky-tonk band opened the evening with high energy and entertainment. Brennan Leigh followed with her distinctive take on traditional country. John Fullbright closed the night with what was for me the top performance of the entire festival. His sets are always top-tier and one of my most anticipated and this one was no exception even setting aside the special surprise guest spot from Evan Felker on their song “Pay No Rent.” It was the best set of music I saw all week. Fullbright’s potent band Jesse Aycock on guitar and lap steel, Stephen Lee on guitar, Paddy Ryan on drums, and Wes Sharon guesting on bass also backed Joleen Brown earlier and sounded as strong as ever. Always a treat.
Saturday started back at the “Ain’t Got No Home Stage” with a song swap featuring Grant Peeples, Elizabeth Wise, and Nancy Apple. I then headed down to Bound For Glory just in time for Keirston White and Carter Sampson’s set which felt like old nights at Norman’s The Deli soaking in their country music therapy. I stuck around for some of Radoslav Lorković set before trudging back up the hill for Tim Easton’s fabulous set followed by an equally strong one from Butch Hancock again joined by his son Rory on electric guitar.
Then it was back to the Bound For Glory Stage to catch Patti Steel’s multi-instrumental blend of jazz, blues, and country. I had caught her for the first time at Friday’s Friends of Amram set and was really impressed. Her band’s set was equally impressive and lots of fun. I look forward to catching her again next year. I caught a bit of Kyle Reid before heading back to the Ain’t Got No Home Stage for Amy LaVere and Will Sexton’s mesmerizing set another personal favorite of the weekend. Joe Pug followed eloquently wrapping up the air-conditioned afternoon at the school. Randy Crouch and his merry band of pranksters closed the daytime shows with their usual fervor at the tented Bound For Glory Stage.
The closing night at the Pastures Of Plenty was jam packed with a staggering array of eclectic talent. It opened with a moving tribute honoring veterans featuring participants from the WoodyFest Youth Showcase under the guidance of RT Valine and the Woody Guthrie Center. Next, Youth Songwriter Contest winner Jonas Lee delivered a strong short set of originals and covers. Agalisiga “Chuj” Mackey followed with his enchanting country-folk and blues sung predominantly in Cherokee. James McMurtry made his second appearance in three years and roared through his set while storms and lightning built in the distance to the north and east. With severe weather threatening many artists shortened their sets but McMurtry leaned into the wind blazing through a fiery “Choctaw Bingo” that along with the dancing crowd seemed to hold the storms at bay. Carsie Blanton and her band closed with an infectious high-energy set that had everyone absolutely captivated and drawn into her world. Unfortunately as winds picked up and storms threatened more menacingly Blanton’s performance was trimmed a bit to allow for the traditional closing finale: Woody’s “This Land Is Your Land” performed by as many of the festival participants as possible.
So as I said, just like that the 2026 WoodyFest came to a close. Every year it’s one of my most anticipated events and then as it usually is, it’s over far quicker than I want it to be. While there was a lot of change at this year’s WoodyFest with new venues and noticeable absences it was the undeniable spirit that permeates this festival that remained constant and made it one of my favorite years to date. The month of July has been personally challenging for me to navigate. I had some storm damage at home to start the month along with some health crises with both my wife and mom that have weighed on me pretty significantly. Yet somehow the magic of this little folk festival allowed me to put those things on the back burner for a few days and just take in the camaraderie and celebration that is truly one of the finest Folk Festivals in the country.
The magic of WoodyFest lies in all its parts. Certainly in the music and stories of course, but also the friendships rekindled each July, the open and welcoming spirit that fills the town, and the tireless work of the and sponsors, volunteers and Committee members, as well as the Friends of the Festival who make it all happen so smoothly year after year. My sincere thanks to everyone involved for another wonderful weekend in Okemah. Already looking forward to next year, which just so happens to be the 30th Anniversary of The Woody Guthrie Folk Festival. Hope to see y’all there.
Find more details here on the festival website: https://www.woodyfest.com
Enjoy some of our previous coverage here: Show Review: WoodyFest 2025 Day 4