With the Band

Rock and roll all night at Hill Country resort's summer concert series

Wade Bowen is giving a concert on July 5.

Photo courtesy of Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa

Just months after debuting its $150 million renovation, the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa is turning up the volume on its summer offerings with an all-star concert lineup — and accommodations packages to match.

The Main Event package gets you a stay in one of the 493 newly designed guest rooms plus concert admission, while the Texas Two-Step package also includes a barbecue cookout before the show, one drink coupon per registered adult, and early access to the general admission seating.

If you're ready to go all out, book the VIP Experience package: luxurious accommodations, concert admission, access to the VIP lounge (featuring an upscale barbecue dinner for two), reserved seating for two, cocktail service, and admission for two to an exclusive meet-and-greet with the artist before the show.

So who's on the bill? Omni Barton Creek has put together a roster of music greats:

July 5: Wade Bowen
Waco native Wade Bowen began recording his 2018 album Solid Ground with the intention of making it the artistic statement of his career — a high bar considering the 20 years of success he'd already enjoyed — but as his personal odometer rolled over into his fourth decade, his focus is more on legacy than next Saturday night. This show will also feature fireworks starting at 9 pm and more fun surprises.

July 19: Sister Hazel
Originating from Gainesville, Florida, Sister Hazel is comprised of five gifted, seasoned musicians whose song "All for You" topped the adult alternative charts during the summer of 1997, and the success propelled their album to platinum status.

August 9: Kentucky Headhunters
With a Grammy Award, CMA Album of the Year Award, two CMA Vocal Group of the Year Awards, two Top 10 charting albums, and four consecutive Top 40 hits, this group's international success spans multiple genres. The "Heads" are credited with creating a unique blend of honky-tonk, blues, and southern rock that appeals to all kinds of listeners and even the toughest music critics.

August 23: Uncle Kracker
Initially known for his role as DJ in Kid Rock's legendary Twisted Brown Trucker band, Uncle Kracker went on to establish a stunning solo career of his own. The singer/songwriter made his solo debut the 2001 No. 1 smash "Follow Me," kicking off a run of top 10 multi-format hits like "In A Little While," "Smile," and, of course, 2003's cover of Dobie Gray's classic "Drift Away."

Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa is now accepting reservations via the website or at 512-329-4000. Your rock 'n' roll summer vacation awaits.

promoted vacation hotels concerts music

Sing us a song

South Austin brewery adds new fried chicken concept to its food truck family

Photo courtesy of Songbird

Chef Joshua van den Berg combined experience in a Michelin-starred restaurant and multiple cuisines to make fried chicken sandwiches.

It’s not quite the same old song and dance at Songbird, one of Austin’s many peddlers of fried chicken sandwiches, opening as a food truck on February 3 at Meanwhile Brewing Co. In this case, these homestyle sandwiches on sliced bread are made by someone who hasn’t been associated with casual dining concepts in quite a while, Chef Joshua van den Berg.

Despite an unassuming appearance, these sandwiches pack a lot of flavor, from beef tallow frying and a long list of fresh seasonal ingredients. The classic chicken sandwich comes with iceberg lettuce, ranch dressing, pickles, and “squishy milk bread”, while a chicken-free option does the unexpected by combining Lebanon bologna with mustard, beer cheese (made in collaboration with Meanwhile), and maple syrup.

On top of winning a 2016 episode of the Food Network’s Chopped (Season 27, “Love Bites”), van den Berg has experience at some of the top restaurants in the United States: Michelin-starred Manhattan restaurant Aldea; Bern’s Steak House, in Tampa; and Suzume, in Brooklyn. Here in Austin, his name is associated with one of the city’s finest dining experiences, Sushi | Bar ATX, which made our list of favorite meals of 2022.

“Songbird is such an exciting concept because it’s approachable and casual, which is perfect for the families and young couples who frequent Meanwhile Brewing,” said Chef van den Berg in a release, “but we’re providing menu items at a higher level of execution and attention to detail that may not typically be applied to this echelon of food.”

On the chef’s impressive resume, cuisines range from Portuguese to American to Japanese, reflecting an interest in other cultural cooking styles. These experiences combined with a period of study in Thailand likely led to his adventurous use of ingredients like pickled chilis, Tso sauce, and fried dough (for malasadas; commonly Hawaiian or Portuguese) on the Songbird menu.

“I want to bring my training and experience within fine dining to create nostalgic flavor combinations inspired by my cooking abroad and throughout the United States,” van den Berg added.

The concept has technically been operating since a soft opening in January, joining Meanwhile’s fleet of existing food trucks that match the newcomer’s elevation: Side Eye Pie (pizza), Bésame (ice cream), Pueblo Viejo (tacos), and Distant Relatives (barbecue) — which recently earned a 2023 James Beard Award nomination.

Songbird, at 3901 Promontory Point Drive, will be open 4-9 pm on Thursdays; 2-9 pm on Fridays, 12-9 pm on Saturdays, and 12-8 pm on Sundays. More information is available on Instagram.

fried chicken sandwiches openings food trucks breweries lunch dinner beer

With the Band

Rock and roll all night at Hill Country resort's summer concert series

CultureMap Emails Are AwesomeGet Austin intel delivered daily.

We will not share or sell your email address.

Sing us a song

South Austin brewery adds new fried chicken concept to its food truck family

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome
Get Austin intel delivered daily.