The Soul of Horseshoe

As the sun sets behind the Tetons and music drifts across the festival grounds, a neon horseshoe illuminates the faces of an enthralled crowd. Standing among them is Lisa Hadley Betts, co-founder of the festival. She smiles and thinks, ‘Oh my god, I can’t believe it’s all happening. I actually pulled it off.’

Founded by husband-and-wife duo Duane and Lisa Hadley Betts, the Horseshoe Music Festival blends rich Americana roots with rock 'n' roll soul, drawing an eclectic mix of artists and fans to Jackson Hole each year. With Duane’s musical legacy as the son of Allman Brothers Band’s Dickey Betts and Lisa’s deep ties to the local community, the festival is more than just a weekend of great tunes — it’s a celebration of connection, creativity, wellness, and the spirit of the West.

“I would see people in town, and so many of them would come up to me and say how amazing the festival was, how they couldn't wait to come next year, or that they’d heard it was amazing and would definitely attend in the future,” Lisa said, reflecting on the overwhelmingly positive response to Horseshoe over its first two years. “It means a lot to create something meaningful, something we can really grow in the community.”

This year’s festival will be held at the Teton County Fairgrounds, September 11-14^th, and Lisa said that Horseshoe has always been rooted in curating an event that she and Duane would want to attend themselves. “You can eat good food with better ingredients. And if you're going to drink, then drink better drinks. And if you're going to dance all night, that's great — maybe go to yoga in the morning,” she laughed. Their vision for the festival has always centered around holistic wellness, good music, slow fashion and quality culinary experiences: elements the couple prioritize in their own lives.

“Music fuels us. It’s medicine for people,” she said. And judging by the festival’s growing attendance, the Betts’ vision of healing through music, food, responsibly-sourced goods, and community is resonating more than ever. They value collaborating with local yoga teachers, chefs and musicians who are deeply entwined in their broader music family.

This year, Horseshoe will kick off with an opening ceremony on Thursday evening featuring a fashion show and a traditional Argentinian asado, followed by three days of music through Sunday evening. In past years, the festival leaned into ‘supergroup’ performances — improvisational jam sessions reminiscent of the Grateful Dead or the Allman Brothers. This year, Lisa said, there will be one night of that style, but the focus will shift toward spotlighting individual bands and musicians, including some local talent. She was unable to reveal the full lineup just yet, but couldn’t hide her excitement when teasing some new additions to “our Horseshoe family band.”

“That was something that was really important to me: creating something for the Jackson locals,” Lisa explained, a 25-year Jackson resident herself, “and September is just my favorite time here.”

For Lisa and Duane, what makes Horseshoe special isn’t just the music or the beautiful mountains it’s hosted in — it’s the community that it forms and cultivates, if only for a weekend. With the Jackson Hole autumn as a backdrop and a lineup that spans generations and genres, Horseshoe isn’t trying to be the biggest festival. This ‘labor of love,’ as Lisa endearingly called it, is simply trying to be the most intentional.