by Gaby Nieraeth

KRTU Student Intern & Host of the Indie Rodeo Club

8/29/2026, John T. Floore’s Country Store

If you’re like me, then you may have a bit of an internal struggle when supporting rising artists. On one hand, you want them to succeed and receive all the recognition you know they deserve. Yet on the other hand, you might selfishly enjoy seeing them in smaller venues for a price that doesn’t break the bank. That’s how I would describe my feelings for Texas country singer William Beckmann, who is in the midst of a busy year. Between opening for George Strait, releasing a new album, and joining Kacey Musgraves for her Middle of Nowhere tour, Beckmann seems well on his way to making it big. As a fan, I’m so glad to finally watch him receive the acclaim he’s long overdue for.  

On Saturday, August 29th at the legendary John T. Floore’s Country Store in Helotes, Beckmann kept the crowd dancing for his entire two-hour set. He switched effortlessly between high-energy singles like “She Can’t Be Found” and power ballads like “Not That Strong”. His musical influences were clear in both his original songs, which blend blues, honky-tonk, and even tejano, and his covers. His setlist featured songs by Elvis Presley, Bruce Springsteen, and Pepe Aguilar. 

Although originally from Del Rio, Beckmann now calls San Antonio home, and his love for the city is evident in the surprises he plans for local performances. During last year’s performance at Floore’s, he brought out a mariachi band for a highly receptive crowd. As the lights went down and he took the stage this past Saturday, I was curious to see what surprise he’d have in store this time. I thought to myself, “There’s no way he could top mariachis,” but to my delight, I was dead wrong. 

Instead of bringing out another large group to accompany him, Beckmann’s band stepped back to make room for his eighty-nine-year-old grandfather, Santiago. Together, they performed a touching rendition of “El Rey” by Vicente Fernández. The audience’s reaction was immediate, with someone at the back of the crowd letting out an impassioned grito.

This is a show that’s going to stay with me. Between the nods to his Texas-Mexico roots, his bilingual setlist, and his smooth-as-butter voice, I know I’ll be buzzing about this performance for a long while. 

If you missed him at Floore’s, you still have the chance to catch him in Austin opening for Kacey Musgraves in October. Just don’t be surprised if he’s deservedly playing on a much larger stage. 

Tune-in Mondays at 10pm to INDIE RODEO CLUB to hear artists like William Beckmann plus various country subgenres; from Tejano to Southern rock, INDIE RODEO CLUB is not your average country radio show. Blending country, indie, and all things y’allternative!