Songs on the Frio 2026 — Rio Bella Resort

About the Event

The Writers Behind Country Music's Biggest Hits

Songs on the Frio is a Veterans Day weekend country music festival held right here at Rio Bella Resort in Leakey, Texas. Not a stadium show. An intimate evening of award-winning hit songwriters sharing the stories and songs that made country music history — performed under the stars along the Frio River. Every year it sells out. Plan ahead.

4

Days of Music

20+

Songwriters

2

Ticketed Nights

11

Free Shows


Free and Open to Everyone

11 Free Shows. 4 Days. One Canyon.

Songs on the Frio is one of the most generous music weekends in Texas. The two main events at Rio Bella require tickets, but the rest of the weekend — 11 free shows spread across Leakey and the Frio Canyon — are open to everyone. No cover. No catch. Just great music in a beautiful place. Come for the weekend. Stay in the canyon.

11

Free Shows


Tickets

Get Your Tickets Early

For the first time ever, Songs on the Frio expands to two ticketed nights. Both evenings feature an intimate showcase of award-winning songwriters at Rio Bella Resort. Tickets sell out every year — do not wait.

Friday Night · Nov 13

$175

Per person. An intimate evening of hit songwriters at Rio Bella Resort on the Frio River. Food and drinks available for purchase.

Saturday Night · Nov 14

$175

Per person. The main event under the Texas stars on the Frio River at Rio Bella Resort. Food and drinks available for purchase.

Tickets On Sale

Aug 1

Mark your calendar. Tickets go on sale August 1, 2026 at songsonthefrio.com. Both nights sell out every year.


The Weekend

Full Weekend Schedule

Confirmed schedule for the ticketed main events and anchor free shows. Full details on all 11 free shows and venue locations across the Frio Canyon are coming soon at songsonthefrio.com.

Thursday Nov 12

7:00 PM

Kickoff Night at The Back Porch Free

The Back Porch · Historic Leakey Inn · 527 US-83, Leakey, TX

Kick off the weekend with cold drinks, neon lights, and acoustic sets from our featured songwriters. Just bring your boots. Food and drinks available for purchase.

Friday Nov 13

5:00 PM

Friday Night Main Event $175

Rio Bella Resort · 3088 Ranch Rd 1120, Leakey, TX

An intimate evening of award-winning hit songwriters performing under the stars at Rio Bella Resort on the Frio River. Food and drinks available for purchase.

Saturday Nov 14

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Saturday Morning Celebration Free

Real County Courthouse · 146 US-83, Leakey, TX

A free, family-friendly Veterans Day celebration with live music, local vendors, Texas-style eats, and the youth songwriting contest in partnership with Leakey School.

Saturday Nov 14

5:00 PM

Saturday Night Main Event $175

Rio Bella Resort · 3088 Ranch Rd 1120, Leakey, TX

The main event. The full lineup performing under the Texas stars on the Frio River. This is the night that sells out first. Food and drinks available for purchase.

Sunday Nov 15

10:00 AM

Sunday Gospel Gathering Free

Rustic 83 · 143 US-83, Leakey, TX

Wrap up the weekend with an uplifting gospel sing-along featuring the event's talented songwriters. Heartfelt, familiar, and free to all.

More Free Shows Coming — Details Announced Soon

Songs on the Frio 2026 features 11 free shows spread across venues throughout Leakey and the Frio Canyon. Locations and set times will be announced at songsonthefrio.com. Follow along so you do not miss a single one.


The Lineup

Meet the Songwriters

These are the writers behind some of the biggest songs in country music history. You have heard the songs. Now hear the stories.

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

Bob DiPiero

Blue Clear Sky · George Strait Southern Voice · Tim McGraw American Made · Oak Ridge Boys

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame · 3x BMI Songwriter of the Year

Jeffrey Steele

What Hurts The Most · Rascal Flatts My Wish · Rascal Flatts The Cowboy In Me · Tim McGraw

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

Kent Blazy

If Tomorrow Never Comes · Garth Brooks Ain't Goin' Down · Garth Brooks Getting You Home · Chris Young

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

Aaron Barker

Baby Blue · George Strait Love Without End Amen · George Strait I Can Still Make Cheyenne · George Strait

Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame

Terry McBride

Play Something Country · Brooks and Dunn If You See Him/If You See Her · Brooks and Dunn McBride and The Ride · Sacred Ground

Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame

Radney Foster

Raining On Sunday · Keith Urban Godspeed · The Chicks Just Call Me Lonesome · Recording Artist

Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame

Leslie Satcher

Troubadour · George Strait When God Fearing Women Get The Blues · Martina McBride Tough · Kellie Pickler

Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame

David Lee

I Need You · Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Letters From Home · John Michael Montgomery 19 Something · Mark Wills

Mississippi Songwriters Hall of Fame · Executive Producer

Danny Myrick

She's Country · Jason Aldean Truck Yeah · Tim McGraw I Love This Life · LoCash

Grammy Nominated

Tim James

My List · Toby Keith Either Way · Chris Stapleton Love Like Crazy · Lee Brice

Hit Songwriter

Clint Daniels

Brokenheartsville · Joe Nichols Some Of It · Eric Church Roll With Me · Montgomery/Gentry

TV Music Producer / Hit Songwriter

Travis Howard

Heart Like Mine · Miranda Lambert Famous In A Small Town · Miranda Lambert

Texas Born Hit Songwriter

Paul Jenkins

Sunny and 75 · Joe Nichols Don't You Wanna Stay · Jason Aldean Tennessee Orange · Megan Maroney

Singer / Songwriter / Performer

Bridgette Tatum

She's Country · Jason Aldean Jealous Of The Sky · Ashley Cooke Loud · ACC Football Theme

Hit Songwriter / Guitar Slinger

Dylan Altman

Barefoot Blue Jean Night · Jake Owen Take A Little Ride · Jason Aldean Watch The Wind Go By · Tim McGraw

Nashville Artist / Songwriter

Megan Linville

Voice of Blue Bell Ice Cream Theme This Ole Town CMT Top 3 Artist

Poetic Wordsmith / Artist

Dean Alexander

Life Ain't Fair feat. Sheryl Crow Black Crow · Brent Cobb Lowdown and Lonesome · Kendell Marvel

Acclaimed Emerging Artist

Emma Zinck

Talking To The Moon Country Enough Crazy Train

Emerging Country Rock Artist

Gable Bradley

Madeline Lawless Even Angels Silk And Sandpaper

Texas Touring Artist

Jessee Lee

Dive Bar Superstar Where He Ain't Daughter of Hall of Famer David Lee

Texas Artist / Songwriter

Drew Kennedy

Topo Chico Cowboys Stars In California Here's To Friends

Texas Artists / Songwriters

Josh and Kristi Grider

One Night Taco Stand · Josh Grider Goodnight Sweet Dreams · Kristi Grider Here's To Friends · Josh Grider

In Memoriam · Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame · Grammy Winner

Brett James

Jesus, Take the Wheel · Carrie Underwood 27 No. 1 songs as a songwriter We are grateful he was part of our story.


November 12 – 15, 2026

Plan Your Weekend on the Frio

Tickets go on sale August 1. Both nights sell out every year. Get your tickets early and make a full weekend of it in the Texas Hill Country.