Two Step Inn sees delays, refunds for rainout

  • Festival goers bear the rain in ponchos as shows were temporarily delayed in the afternoon of Saturday, April 18, due to lightning in the area. The major acts on Saturday, Kaitlin Butts’ Yee-Hoedown, Shenandoah, Goo Goo Dolls, Wyatt Flores and Tracy Lawrence and Brooks & Dunn were cancelled due to the forecast. (Photos by Kaitlyn Wilkes)
    Festival goers bear the rain in ponchos as shows were temporarily delayed in the afternoon of Saturday, April 18, due to lightning in the area. The major acts on Saturday, Kaitlin Butts’ Yee-Hoedown, Shenandoah, Goo Goo Dolls, Wyatt Flores and Tracy Lawrence and Brooks & Dunn were cancelled due to the forecast. (Photos by Kaitlyn Wilkes)
  • Festival goers dance and record the set of rapper BigXthePlug’s set, where he performed hits like “The Largest” and “Texas.”
    Festival goers dance and record the set of rapper BigXthePlug’s set, where he performed hits like “The Largest” and “Texas.”
  • Cameron Whitcomb does a backflip on stage during his set on Sunday, April 19. The Canadian-born artist also competed on season 20 of singing-competition show American Idol.
    Cameron Whitcomb does a backflip on stage during his set on Sunday, April 19. The Canadian-born artist also competed on season 20 of singing-competition show American Idol.
  • Kaitlin Butts got through half of “Any Man of Mine” by Shania Twain before her set was cancelled because of lightning in the area on April 18. Her Yee-Hoedown would have featured country covers and musical guests to join her on stage.
    Kaitlin Butts got through half of “Any Man of Mine” by Shania Twain before her set was cancelled because of lightning in the area on April 18. Her Yee-Hoedown would have featured country covers and musical guests to join her on stage.
  • Elizabeth Nichols, who has gained popularity on social media for her song "I Got A New One" opened Saturday afternoon on the Pony Up stage.
    Elizabeth Nichols, who has gained popularity on social media for her song "I Got A New One" opened Saturday afternoon on the Pony Up stage.
  • Dallas-born BigXthaPlug performed hits like “The Largest” and “Texas.”
    Dallas-born BigXthaPlug performed hits like “The Largest” and “Texas.”
  • Gary Stanton, left, of Muscadine Bloodline, is joined by bass player Justin Rowton during their Saturday set. The duo, made up of Mr. Stanton and Charlie Muncaster will be on tour around the U.S. through October.
    Gary Stanton, left, of Muscadine Bloodline, is joined by bass player Justin Rowton during their Saturday set. The duo, made up of Mr. Stanton and Charlie Muncaster will be on tour around the U.S. through October.
  • Brandon Coleman, lead singer for The Red Clay Strays, donned sunglasses during the band's sunset performance on Sunday, April 19.
    Brandon Coleman, lead singer for The Red Clay Strays, donned sunglasses during the band's sunset performance on Sunday, April 19.
  • Gary Stanton of Muscadine Bloodline plays guitar on Sunday, April 19, during the duo's set on the Big River Stage.
    Gary Stanton of Muscadine Bloodline plays guitar on Sunday, April 19, during the duo's set on the Big River Stage.
  • Lily and Powell Balkcom, two third of The Castellows' trio, played on the Showdeo stage on Sunday afternoon.
    Lily and Powell Balkcom, two third of The Castellows' trio, played on the Showdeo stage on Sunday afternoon.
  • Gabriella Rose started the Sunday performances on the Big River stage with several covers including Miley Cyrus' "Flowers."
    Gabriella Rose started the Sunday performances on the Big River stage with several covers including Miley Cyrus' "Flowers."
  • Eleanor Balcom, from The Castellows, plays guitar during her and her sisters set on April 19 on the Showdeo stage. The trio of singers are from Georgetown, Georgia, and are headlining a tour this fall.
    Eleanor Balcom, from The Castellows, plays guitar during her and her sisters set on April 19 on the Showdeo stage. The trio of singers are from Georgetown, Georgia, and are headlining a tour this fall.
  • Cameron Whitcomb brought an energetic performance to the Pony Up stage on Sunday afternoon.
    Cameron Whitcomb brought an energetic performance to the Pony Up stage on Sunday afternoon.
  • Drew Nix, guitarist and backing vocals for The Red Clay Stays, played with the rest of the band at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. The group is best known for their song “Wondering Why,” which came out in 2022.
    Drew Nix, guitarist and backing vocals for The Red Clay Stays, played with the rest of the band at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. The group is best known for their song “Wondering Why,” which came out in 2022.
  • Susan Tedeschi, from Florida-based Tedeschi Trucks Band, is one of the multi-membered groups lead singers. The group is known for songs like "Midnight in Harlem."
    Susan Tedeschi, from Florida-based Tedeschi Trucks Band, is one of the multi-membered groups lead singers. The group is known for songs like "Midnight in Harlem."

    Rainclouds threatened the Two Step Inn festival all day Saturday, April 18, and when the steadily darkening clouds finally released water around 5:30 p.m., it was a deluge. 

    Lightning and heavy rain sparked a weather delay, cancellation of several acts and eventually a weather evacuation. Instead of performers and promotional videos, the large display screens turned red, and read “Lightening in the area. For safety, the show has been temporarily paused.” 

    Festival attendees had only a few minutes to claim precious real estate under cover, before getting soaked in the downpour. A temporary break in the rain caused a false sense of relief. However, performers Kaitlin Butts’ Yee-Hoedown, Shenandoah, Goo Goo Dolls, Wyatt Flores and Tracy Lawrence were cancelled. 

    Organizers hoped headliner Brooks & Dunn would be able to take the stage in a break in the weather by 7 p.m. However, heavy rain started back up again, and the festival issued a weather evacuation. The rest of the night was cancelled. 

    Refunds issued 

    In the wake of Saturday’s cancellations, attendees expressed frustration online about continual weather problems the festival has faced. This is the third year in a row some combination of rain, lightning and unseasonable cooler temperatures impacted the festival. 

    “We understand your frustration, we’re frustrated ourselves with today’s weather,” the festival posted online. “Despite everything, we appreciate y’all for sticking with us as we tried to keep today’s performances on track.”

    The festival announced ticket refunds for Saturday. All Saturday one-day ticket purchasers received a 100 percent refund, and all two-day ticket purchasers received a 50 percent refund. 

    Sunday sunshine

    Luckily for country music fans, Two Step Inn is a two-day affair. Although slightly windy and muddy, sunny weather on Sunday gave little indication of what had happened the day before. 

    Acts went on as scheduled. The Castellows brought out young Mexican-American country music singer, Wyatt Flores. Cameron Whitcomb did backflips on stage. The Red Clay Strays embraced golden hour. Chris Stapleton closed out the night. 

    Even though the festival is over, roads and areas around San Gabriel Park will remain closed until April 24 as festival materials are picked up, and the park is made ready for the public again. 

    An interactive map of when areas will reopen can be found at https://tinyurl.com/2s4b5p46. 

    Georgetown
    Two Step Inn
    music
    Live Music
    festival
    San Gabriel Park