Attendees of the 2023 Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival walk around sampling barbecue from 20 joints from across the state in the downtown Tyler square. In addition to an exciting music lineup, there will be over 20 barbecue vendors at Saturday’s festival. (Santana Wood/Tyler Morning Telegraph File)

The Randy Rogers Band is set to return to the Red Dirt BBQ and Music Festival — the very event where they initially kicked off festivities back in 2014.

“They’re one of the iconic bands in Texas, and red dirt,” Radio Texas, LIVE! host Buddy Logan said. “They’ve been doing huge things for 20 years.”

The festival, set for this Saturday on the brick streets of downtown Tyler’s square, promises a combination of top-notch barbecue and talented musicians.

Over several decades, the Randy Rogers Band has solidified its reputation as a powerhouse in the country music scene, making its headlining performance a highly anticipated event for festival attendees. The Randy Rogers Band performed at the iconic Tyler festival in 2014 and 2019.

The band, which includes singer-songwriter Randy Rogers, Geoffrey Hill (guitar), Jon Richardson (bass guitar), Brady Black (fiddle), Les Lawless (drums) and Todd Stewart (guitar, fiddle, mandolin, keyboards), was founded in San Marcos.

Logan described the Randy Rogers Band as a “true band,” and stalwart in the Texas scene, emphasizing their consistent great performances that made them a headline act for decades.

Rogers emphasized the band’s unity as a brotherhood, likening their journey to a marriage with its inevitable ups and downs. Despite the challenges, after decades of making music together, their bonds remain incomparable and cherished.

“It’s the closest thing that any one of us have to a real family unit,” Rogers said in an interview with the Tyler Morning Telegraph. “We’ve grown up together and we’ve had children at the same time. We’ve fallen in love. We’ve gotten divorced. There’s so much of life that we’ve lived and shared together.”

In the Randy Rogers Band, everyone has a say in the music creation process. This approach ensures each member’s input is valued and contributes to the collective sound, as highlighted on the band’s website.

“Everyone has kind of an equal say and for over 20 years they have been putting out some of the best music,” Logan said. “They don’t slow down.”

With a reputation for delivering captivating experiences on stage, they consistently bring their best to each performance, Logan added.

Although there are sacrifices inherent in being a musician, Rogers finds the connection with his audience through music to be immensely fulfilling. He believes in the power of music to provide healing during difficult times, as well as to uplift spirits and create joy during celebrations.

Rogers said attendees can anticipate a setlist spanning several decades of the band’s discography.

“Lots of songs from different records, not just the new stuff, not just the old stuff,” Rogers said. “It should be a good time.”

This year’s music lineup includes the Randy Rogers Band, along with performers Pony Bradshaw, Treaty Oak Revival, Mark Chestnutt, Kolby Cooper and Casey Donahew.

YOU SHOULD KNOW: Tickets are completely sold out, organizers said. Drivers should be aware various streets around the square will be closed beginning Friday for the festival. The festival will continue rain or shine, organizers said, but if there is severe weather, they said they will try to rework the schedule to accommodate. All weather updates will be posted at www.facebook.com/reddirtbbqfest.