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The Creekers Open Day 2 at Two Step Inn

By Larry Philpot on May 4, 2026

The Creekers took the Pony Up stage right at noon on April 19, 2026, and the early risers (if you consider noon to be early rising) at San Gabriel Park got an immediate dose of what makes this Kentucky band special. Their sound mixes traditional bluegrass drive with country storytelling and just enough pop warmth to feel fresh and inviting—fiery instrumentals, tight harmonies, and lyrics pulled straight from the creeks and hollers back home. In a bluegrass scene that’s seeing renewed interest, they stand out by keeping everything genuine, unpolished, and full of the kind of energy that comes from playing together since their local-bar days.

The Creekers perform at Day 2 of the Two Step Inn Festival, Georgetown Texas on April 18, 2026. (Photo Credit and copyright: Larry Philpot/SoundstagePhotography.com)

Building a Following the Old-Fashioned Way

Hailing from Leslie County in eastern Kentucky, the six-piece group formed around 2022 among friends who shared a love for hillbilly music and the sounds of the mountains. They released their debut album *Pour Me In The Creek* in 2024, followed by the introspective EP *River Rat* in 2025. That project delivered their breakout moment with “Tennessee,” which climbed into the top five on Spotify’s Viral 50 USA chart and stayed there for weeks during the summer of 2025. The momentum led to a signing with Warner Music Nashville and Warner Records in September 2025, opening doors to bigger stages while the band stayed focused on the live connection that built their audience in the first place.

The Creekers Lineup

Tanner Horton – Lead Vocals and Lead Guitar
Allen Hacker – Vocals and Rhythm Guitar
Jagger Bowling – Bass and Vocals
Ashton Bowling – Cajon
Scott Sutton – Banjo and Vocals
Anna Blanton – Fiddle

(Anna Blanton joined a couple of years ago as the band’s newest member and the only non-Kentucky native; the rest of the lineup has stayed steady with no other major changes reported.)

Their Set on the Pony Up Stage

Opening the day on the Pony Up stage—reserved for emerging artists—The Creekers brought the kind of lively, feel-good set that wakes up a festival crowd. They leaned into material from both *Pour Me In The Creek* and *River Rat*, letting the banjo rolls, fiddle lines, and dueling guitars shine in the morning sun. “Tennessee” drew a strong singalong response, and their instrumental breaks showed the kind of chemistry that comes from years of playing small rooms together. It was the perfect way to ease the audience into a full day of music.

The Two Step Inn festival once again called San Gabriel Park in Georgetown, Texas— just a short drive north of Austin—home for its 2026 edition. The park’s shady live oaks and open layout create an easygoing, neighborhood-party atmosphere, with three stages serving up everything from fresh talent on Pony Up to major names on Big River, plus local food vendors keeping things comfortable. After Day 1’s weather interruptions, Day 2 felt like a clean, sunny reset.

Most Likely Setlist (full official setlist not published; based on the band’s recent 2026 shows and confirmed highlights from the festival):

Tennessee
Lay You Down
River Rat
Selections from Pour Me In The Creek
High-energy instrumental breaks

Why The Creekers Are Worth Arriving Early For

The Creekers may still be early in their major-label chapter, but their opening set on Day 2 showed they already understand how to turn a festival slot into something memorable. With songs that feel lived-in and a band that clearly enjoys every note, their performances give you that warm, roots-music glow that lingers long after the last chord. If you like bluegrass that stays true to its Kentucky roots while welcoming new listeners, their 2026 tour dates offer plenty of chances to catch them in settings big and small.