Rooster Walk 16: The Crown Jewel of the Blue Ridge

Rooster Walk is officially the #1 music festival in the region. After years of being a "top contender," the Martinsville, VA mainstay recently took home the top prize in the 2026 Best of the Blue Ridge Awards. In this episode, Jrod sits down with Executive Producer Johnny Buck for an inside look at the 16th annual festival (May 21–24, 2026). They discuss the festival’s moving origin story, its commitment to the Martinsville community, and the challenge of keeping independent festivals accessible in an era of skyrocketing production costs and "stadium displacement." Whether you’re a long-time "Rooster" or a first-timer, this preview explores why this festival—built on the legacy of childhood friends Edwin and Walker—continues to be a home for artists like Maggie Rose, Paul McDonald, and Moon Taxi. In this episode, we cover: The Victory Lap: What the "Best Music Festival" win means for the festival’s 16th year. Festival Value vs. Stadium Shows: Why communal experiences are winning out over $500 stadium seats. The 2026 Lineup: Insights into headliners St. Paul & The Broken Bones, moe., and Daniel Donato, plus favorites like Shadowgrass and our friends Maggie Rose and Paul McDonald. Pinch-Me Moments: Memories of Billy Strings, Marcus King, and Emmylou Harris. Legacy & Scholarship: How the festival continues to give back through the Penn-Shank Memorial Scholarship Fund. Links & Resources: Get Tickets https://www.roosterwalk.com Follow Rooster Walk: @roosterwalk Follow Jrodconcerts: @jrodconcertsmedia Official Website: https://www.jrodconcertsmedia.com __ Cheerios: Try Cheerios Protein! https://www.cheerios.com/shop-protein-bundle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices