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Kaitlin Butts: Bluegrass Fire and Heartfelt Soul

By Clarissa Darling on April 25, 2025

Always a fun show, when Kaitlin Butts bounded onto the Two Step Inn stage on April 5, 2025, San Gabriel Park erupted with cheers. This bluegrass dynamo, brimming with energy, spunk, and a wicked sense of humor, delivered a set that was equal parts fire and soul. For me, her performance of “Cactus Stew,” with its cheeky invitation for the crowd to “take a drink,” was pure joy. Even more moving was her emotional delivery of a deeply personal song (with lyrics like “Sad hee haw, what else could she do… It won’t always be this way”), which left the audience spellbound. Butts was a festival standout, proving why she’s a rising star in country music. Bubbling with energy and sporting a leaner figure with a great dress, it was giggles and jiggles. She later bounced around on stage, joining Flatland Calvary for a cameo. Sizzling!

File Photo: Country artist Kaitlin Butts performs in Georgetown, Texas at the Two Step Inn Festival on April 5, 2025. (Photo Credit and Copyright; Larry Philpot/SoundstagePhotography.com)

Background and Bio: Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Kaitlin Butts blends bluegrass, honky-tonk, and modern country with a fierce independent spirit. Her albums, Same Hell, Different Devil (2015) and What Else Can She Do (2022), feature hits like “Marfa Lights” and “It Won’t Always Be This Way.” Her 2024 release, Roadrunner!, earned critical acclaim, with Rolling Stone praising her storytelling. Butts has appeared on Yellowstone with her song “White River” and performed on Austin City Limits. She’s been nominated for Americana Music Awards, and her dynamic live shows have made her a festival favorite.

Performance Review: Butts was a whirlwind of charisma, her red hair and cowboy boots commanding the stage. She kicked off with “Marfa Lights,” its twangy energy setting the tone. Her humor shone in “Cactus Stew,” where she raised a glass and urged the crowd to join her, sparking a festival-wide toast. My remark about her spunk was spot-on; she bantered about Texas heat and her love for tequila, keeping the vibe light. The emotional peak came with “It Won’t Always Be This Way,” a raw reflection on personal struggles. Butts’ voice cracked with vulnerability, and the crowd fell silent, hanging on every word. Her band, anchored by fiddle and banjo, amplified her bluegrass roots, while her stage presence—part firecracker, part poet—tied it all together. She closed with “Blood,” a haunting track from Roadrunner!, leaving fans clamoring for more.

Final Thoughts: Kaitlin Butts’ set was a masterclass in balancing heart and heat. Her humor, energy, and emotional depth made her one of Two Step Inn’s brightest stars, a true gem in modern country.