Preparations are well underway for MerleFest 2013, presented by Lowe’s, which officially begins next Thursday, April 25, and runs through Sunday, April 28, on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.As in years past, fans at MerleFest can expect the unexpected with special surprises, spontaneous jam sessions and one-of-a-kind musical collaborations, with over 90 performers playing on 14 stages during the four-day festival.However, for the first time in its 26 years, MerleFest will take place without beloved music icon Doc Watson, who passed away on May 29, 2012. So during this year’s festival, attendees can anticipate special tributes to the man and the musician who was described by the New York Times as “the guitarist and folk singer whose flat-picking style elevated the acoustic guitar to solo status in bluegrass and country music, and whose interpretations of traditional American music profoundly influenced generations of folk and rock guitarists.”As in previous years, the list of performers fits the “traditional plus” definition originally offered by the late Doc Watson. Watson coined this term to describe the unique mix of music found at MerleFest: traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including bluegrass and old-time music, and expanded to include Americana, country, blues, rock, “plus whatever other styles we were in the mood to play,” he explained. The complete lineup and stage schedules are posted at www.merlefest.org, and festival updates are delivered via Twitter (@MerleFest) and Facebook.Thursday, April 25, will feature performances by artists including The Charlie Daniels Band, Leon Russell, Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, Dehlia Low, Red Molly, The Greencards, Enter The Haggis, Pete and Joan Wernick and others. That afternoon, participants in Pete Wernick’s MerleFest Bluegrass Jam Camp will perform on the Cabin Stage. A rare opportunity for Thursday festival attendees is the chance to pick or sing during “open mic” sessions with legendary Dobro player Tut Taylor and the Local Boys. The Opening Night Dance with Enter The Haggis will take place starting at 10 p.m. at the Dance Stage. Thursday is also a day for community outreach, with several MerleFest artists visiting and performing at local schools.The schedule on Friday, April 26, includes performances by Gov’t Mule, The Del McCoury Band and The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Steep Canyon Rangers, Peter Rowan, Matraca Berg, Delta Rae, Chris Smither, Donna the Buffalo, Jim Lauderdale, The Greencards, The Kruger Brothers, The Black Lillies, Scythian, The Waybacks, The Honeycutters, Tony Williamson, The Quebe Sisters Band, Jeff Little Trio, Doug MacLeod, Carol Rifkin, Laura Boosinger, Roy Book Binder and others.The culmination of the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest takes place on Friday; after contest chairperson Jim Lauderdale announces the winners, the songwriters perform the winning entries on the Cabin Stage at 5 p.m.Additionally, the annual Doc Watson Guitar Championship is held on Friday; this year’s judges include Peter Rowan and Uwe Kruger, as well as last year’s contest winner, Benjamin Cockman. The annual Merle Watson Bluegrass Banjo Contest is also held this day; this year’s judges include Pete Wernick, Steve Lewis and Blind Boy (Jeron) Paxton, as well as last year’s contest winner, Brandon Green.The lineup for Saturday, April 27, includes performances by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, John Cowan, Jim Lauderdale, Michael Martin Murphey, Peter Rowan Band, Nashville Bluegrass Band, Sutton, Holt and Coleman, Matraca Berg, Chris Smither, Delta Rae, Mountain Heart, Della Mae, The Kruger Brothers, Scythian, Chatham County Line, Donna the Buffalo, David Holt, Pokey LaFarge, Phil Wiggins & Corey Harris, Eilen Jewell, Blind Boy Paxton, Tom Feldman and Mike Farris among others.One of the most talked-about events of the festival will be Saturday evening’s Celebration Jam. The Jam will be hosted by Sam Bush and will feature many of Doc’s closest musician friends as they tell stories and play some of Doc’s favorites tunes. The Jam’s core band will consist of Sam Bush (mandolin/fiddle), Jeff Little (piano), T. Michael Coleman (bass), Jack Lawrence (guitar), Bryan Sutton (guitar) and David Holt (banjo.)Additionally, the ever-popular Hillside Album Hour – where a revered or iconic album is performed live from start to finish – will once again be hosted by The Waybacks, with many surprise guests joining in the performance. The highly-anticipated Midnight Jam will take place in the Walker Center (separate ticket required and available for purchase by 4-day ticket holders and Saturday-only ticket holders). This year’s Jam is hosted by Scythian, with special guests The Waybacks, Donna the Buffalo, John Cowan, Jim Lauderdale, The Black Lillies, The Honeycutters, Pokey LaFarge and many others.Sunday, April 28, will feature performances by the Avett Brothers, Nashville Bluegrass Band, Tift Merritt, Michael Martin Murphey, The Kruger Brothers, Donna the Buffalo, Jim Avett, Chatham County Line, T. Michael Coleman, Jeff Little Trio, Paul’s Creek Band, Jack Lawrence, Pokey LaFarge, Eilen Jewell, Susana and Timmy Abell, Pete and Joan Wernick, South Carolina Broadcasters, Roy Book Binder, Blind Boy Paxton, Bobby and Blue Ridge Tradition.In addition to the Avett Family Gospel Hour with Jim Avett and family, fans can experience the “Spirit of Sunday” set with the Nashville Bluegrass Band, which will contain a special tribute to Doc Watson.Throughout the four-day festival, the Dance Tent will feature various workshops and dance instruction with plenty of opportunities for festival attendees to cut loose with some stellar music performers. Additionally, Mayes Pit/Cohn Auditorium in Thompson Hall at MerleFest is devoted to a wide variety of workshops and demonstrations on Friday and Saturday, where world-class performers share their expertise with attendees. The Songwriters Coffeehouse will once again showcase the art of the song on Friday. On Saturday, blues lovers will want to check out the “Greatest Acoustic Blues Show on Earth” at the Austin Stage in Alumni Hall. For those attendees who like to do a little performing themselves, there is a continuous “open mic” at the Plaza Stage.In addition to music, MerleFest offers special activities and shopping, all in a family-friendly atmosphere. The Shoppes at MerleFest is a centrally-located shopping village featuring demonstrating artisans, vendors, convenience foods, official MerleFest memorabilia and services such as first aid, lost and found, and Internet access. The Little Pickers Family Area offers children’s activities, crafts and entertainment, and the MerleFest Youth Showcase, hosted by Andy May, at the Little Pickers Stage. Nature walks of the gardens and forest on the WCC campus will be offered on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.“For those wanting an affordable weekend getaway, MerleFest provides a true value to its customers,” said festival director Ted Hagaman. “The admission prices are extremely reasonable - especially considering that we feature over 90 artists on 14 stages. Also, there are no hidden charges. We provide free parking, a free shuttle that will deliver you to the entrance, a free program guide as you enter, and all children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. In addition, our Little Pickers Family Area for children offers each child the opportunity to make crafts and participate in several interactive exhibits – all free of charge.”Ticket purchases can be made on the web at www.merlefest.org, by calling 1-800-343-7857, or at the gate. Gates open on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m.MerleFest 2013 is presented by Lowe’s. MerleFest is grateful to 100+ sponsors for their support in making the event possible, including: Wells Fargo, Charlotte and Greensboro area Burger King restaurants, G&B Energy, Pepsi, Tyson, Wilkesboro Tourism Development Authority, The InterFlex Group, Winston-Salem Journal, WXII 12, the Law Offices of Timothy D. Welborn, Hardee’s, Carolina Ford Dealers, Carolina West Wireless, CenturyLink, Chobani Yogurt, Hampton Inn Wilkesboro and visitwilkesboronc.com, Wilkes Regional Medical Center and Carolinas Healthcare System. A complete listing of all MerleFest sponsors and additional information about all aspects of the festival can be found at http://www.merlefest.org.MerleFest, considered one of the premier music festivals in the country, is an annual homecoming of musicians and music fans held on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of the late Eddy Merle Watson, son of American music legend Doc Watson who passed away May 29, 2012. MerleFest is a celebration of “traditional plus” music, a unique mix of music based on the traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including bluegrass and old-time music, and expanded to include Americana, country, blues, rock and many other styles. The festival hosts over 90 artists, performing on 14 stages during the course of the four-day event. The annual event has become the primary fundraiser for the WCC Endowment Corporation, funding scholarships, capital projects and other educational needs.
MerleFest, presented by Lowe’s and slated for April 24-27, 2014, is proud to announce the music festival’s initial lineup. The four-day event, an annual homecoming of musicians and music fans, will once again take place on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.As in years past, the initial lineup reflects the diversity and quality of performers that are the hallmark of the festival. Thursday night’s schedule includes the previously announced country music superstar Alan Jackson, who will showcase his newly released bluegrass album. Another legend - bluegrass icon Dr. Ralph Stanley - will perform on Saturday evening in the Dr. Ralph Stanley All-Star Jam hosted by Jim Lauderdale. Two of bluegrass music’s biggest names, Dailey & Vincent, will be joined by the Statler Brothers’ Jimmy Fortune to deliver a set of that hallowed band’s biggest hits, complete with the deep, rich harmonies for which all three performers are known.Additionally, the lineup introduces some Americana favorites: MerleFest newcomer Keller Williams will perform with the Travelin’ McCourys, and festival favorite Tim O’Brien, along with singer-songwriter Darrell Scott, will perform hits from their new album “Memories and Moments.”“With just this first list of performers, fans will see that we have a great mix of ‘vintage MerleFest’ and ‘fresh faces,’” says Steve Johnson, artist relations manager for MerleFest. “While we have many more artists yet to announce, we can say now that we have an incredible depth of music for 2014 that lives up to the ‘traditional plus’ lineup MerleFest attendees have come to enjoy over the years. We are especially excited to offer a few special jams and MerleFest moments that no one will want to miss!"“And, as MerleFest fans have learned, we release up-to-the-minute lineup additions and other festival news through our social media outlets; so staying in touch with us via our electronic newsletter, website (www.merlefest.org), Facebook and Twitter is crucial,” Johnson adds.MerleFest is known for its unique mix of traditional, roots-oriented music from the Appalachian region, including bluegrass and old-time music, Americana, blues, country, Celtic, Cajun, cowboy, zydeco, rock and many other styles that Doc Watson referred to as “traditional plus.”The following are among the artists scheduled to perform at MerleFest 2014: Richard Watson; Alan Jackson;Carolina Chocolate Drops; Dailey and Vincent Quartet with Jimmy Fortune; Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys; Keller Williams; Tim O’Brien and Darrell Scott; The Steep Canyon Rangers; The Travelin’ McCourys; The Waybacks; Balsam Range; Alison Brown Quartet; Sam Bush Band; Peter Rowan; Della Mae; Donna the Buffalo; Jerry Douglas; The Duhks; Jim Lauderdale; Larry Keel and Natural Bridge; Scythian; Junior Sisk and Ramblers Choice; The Kruger Brothers; Sutton, Holt and Coleman; Lonesome River Band; The Steel Wheels; The Claire Lynch Band; Sleepy Man Banjo Boys; High Valley; Town Mountain; Todd Snider; Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen; The Deadly Gentleman; Mark Johnson and Emory Lester; Mandolin Orange; The Hillbenders; I Draw Slow; Chris Jones and The Night Drivers; Pete and Joan Wernick; Alan Bibey and Grasstowne; Rory Block; Roy Book Binder; Fiona Boyes; Darin and Brooke Aldridge; Shannon Whitworth; Nashville Bluegrass Band; Missy Raines and The New Hip; Red June; Tut Taylor; Nora Jane Struthers and The Party Line; Del Rey; Jeff Little Trio; Mark Newton and Steve Thomas; Wayne Henderson; Jack Lawrence; Roland White; WBT Briarhoppers; Mary Flower; Josh Farrow; The Kickin Grass Band; Volume Five; Overmountain Men; Eleanor Ellis; Niall Toner Band; Riley Baugus; Jeff Brown and Still Lonesome; Mark Bumgarner; Buncombe Turnpike; Nick Chandler and Delivered; The Cockman Family; Nu-Blu; Moore Brothers Band; Toneblazers; Paul’s Creek Band; Sheila Kay Adams; Tal Naccarato; Steve and Ruth Smith; The South Carolina Broadcasters; Jon Stickley Trio; Laura Boosinger; Zephyr Lightning Bolts, The Banknotes; Wayne Erbsen; Misty River Band; The Fox Fire; Sanctum Sully; Time Sawyer; Mountain Feist; My New Favorites; Kim Robins and 40 Years Late; Timmy and Susana Abell; and many more.Additional performers for MerleFest 2014 will be announced in the coming months. The lineup is viewable at www.merlefest.org/lineup.
Preparations are well underway for MerleFest 2015, presented by Window World, which officially begins next Thursday, April 23, at 2:30 p.m., and runs through Sunday, April 26, on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
With over 80 acts performing on 13 stages during the four-day festival, attendees should expect the unexpected with special surprises, spontaneous jam sessions and one-of-a-kind musical collaborations.
“It seems our fans are really thrilled about this year’s complete lineup. They always get excited to see Sam Bush, Peter Rowan, Jim Lauderdale, David Holt, The Kruger Brothers, the Nashville Bluegrass Band and others who performed with Doc Watson. And, we are pleased to welcome back Hot Rize, last seen at MerleFest in 2003. This will mark the first MerleFest appearance for Grammy Award-winning The Earls of Leicester,” said Ted Hagaman, festival director. “Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn’s 2015 appearance is creating a lot of buzz as well.
“Of course, we will continue to honor and memorialize Doc, who helped found this festival. Through his guidance and artistic creativity, MerleFest has grown into a world-class festival. MerleFest will always honor the memory and contributions of Doc and his son Merle,” added Hagaman. “As always, we take pride in the diversity presented in our lineup. That is a credit to Doc Watson, who always believed that all genres of music should be celebrated.”
As in previous years, the list of performers fits the “traditional plus” definition originally described by the late Doc Watson. Watson coined this term to describe the unique mix of music found at MerleFest: traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including bluegrass and old-time music, and expanded to include Americana, country, blues, rock, “plus whatever other styles we were in the mood to play,” Doc said.
The complete lineup and stage schedules are posted at www.merlefest.org and available on the MerleFest mobile app; festival updates are delivered via Twitter (@MerleFest) and Facebook.
Thursday, April 23, will feature performances by artists that include Trampled By Turtles, Lee Ann Womack, Hot Rize, Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn, Larry Stephenson Band and others. That afternoon, participants in Pete Wernick’s MerleFest Bluegrass Jam Camp will perform on the Cabin Stage, and the Opening Night Dance with Donna the Buffalo will begin at 10 p.m. at the Dance Stage.
Thursday is also a day for community outreach, with several MerleFest artists visiting and performing at local schools. MerleFest Outreach touches the lives of nearly 11,000 students each year.
On Friday, April 24, fans will hear performances by The Marshall Tucker Band, Jim Lauderdale and North Mississippi Allstars, The Earls of Leicester, the Del McCoury Band performing songs of Woody Guthrie, Sam Bush Band, Bruce Robinson and Kelly Willis, The Kruger Brothers, Spinney Brothers, Chatham County Line, Mipso, Ballie & The Boys, The Honeycutters and others.
Finalists in the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest compete on Friday to determine who will win first place and some great surprises, including the opportunity to record a song with Pinecastle Records. The culmination of the contest is Friday evening when contest chairperson Jim Lauderdale announces the winners, and the songwriters perform the winning entries on the Cabin Stage at 8 p.m.
Friday also offers the Doc and Merle Watson Performing Arts Showcase, hosted by Joe Smothers and Bob Hill of Frosty Morn on the Austin Stage. The series is intended as a diverse, eclectic sampling of local and regional talent, allowing festival-goers to see the artists in a more intimate setting. And in what is becoming a “must-do” event, Scythian’s Friday night show at the Dance Stage will start at 10:30 pm – it’s recommended that you get there early!
The lineup for Saturday, April 25, includes performances by The Avett Brothers, Willie Watson, The Gibson Brothers, Peter Rowan, Blue Highway, JOHNNYSWIM, The Jim Lauderdale Band, The Steel Wheels, Front Country, Del Barber, New Country Rehab and Blind Boy Paxton, among others.
In the afternoon, fans can enjoy theDoc Watson Guitar Tribute on the Watson Stage, starting at 1:45 p.m., with host Jack Lawrence and David Holt, T Michael Coleman, The South Carolina Broadcasters, Roy Book Binder, Tim Stafford (Blue Highway), Bill Mize, Stephen Mougin, Uwe Kruger, Adam Lawrence and Jacob Burleson.
Also of note will be several events at the Creekside Stage, including “Memories of Doc and Merle,” hosted by T. Michael Coleman (with many special guests expected) and the always-popular Mando Mania set.
The MerleFest 2015 Band Competition kicks off at the Plaza Stage at 10 a.m. on Saturday, as well. Music fans can watch ten bands perform sets throughout the day, with the winning band earning a coveted performance slot on the Watson Stage at 4:30 pm.
The highly-anticipatedHillside Album Hour – where a revered or iconic album is performed live from start to finish – will once again be hosted by The Waybacks, with many surprise guests joining in the performance, including previously announced guest lead singer Joan Osborne. The Midnight Jam will take place in the Walker Center (separate ticket required and available for purchase by 4-day and 3-day ticket holders and Saturday-only ticket holders). This year’s Jam is presented in partnership with The Bluegrass Situation and hosted by The Steel Wheels. In addition to The Steel Wheels, the Midnight Jam will feature Willie Watson, Jim Lauderdale, The Gibson Brothers, Front Country, Mipso, New Country Rehab, The Honey Dewdrops, Moore Brothers Band and Stephen Mougin, along with a few other surprises.
Sunday, April 26, will feature performances by Dwight Yoakam, Robert Earl Keen, Steep Canyon Rangers, The Kruger Brothers with the Kontras Quartet performing “Lucid Dreamer,” Paul Thorn, The Black Lillies, Shannon Whitworth and others.
In addition to the Sunday Blues with Roy Bookbinder set, featuring Richard Watson, Doug MacLeod, Blind Boy Paxton, Veronika Jackson, Rev. Robert B. Jones and Charles Welch, fans can experience the “Spirit of Sunday” set with the Nashville Bluegrass Band as well as the Gospel Hour with Jim Avett.
Throughout the four-day festival, the Dance Stage will feature various workshops and dance instruction with plenty of opportunities for festival attendees to cut loose with some stellar music performers. Additionally, Mayes Pit/Cohn Auditorium in Thompson Hall at MerleFest is devoted to a wide variety of workshops and demonstrations on Friday and Saturday, where world-class performers share their expertise with attendees. Avid MerleFest fans will be interested in the “History of MerleFest” workshop being presented by “B” Townes, the first director of MerleFest, who worked very closely with Doc Watson to bring MerleFest to life. The Songwriters Showcase Coffeehouse at the Austin Stage in Alumni Hall offers a venue where songwriters can showcase their original songs. The Pickin’ Place is an area for musicians of all levels and genres to meet old friends and make new ones while singing and playing their favorite tunes together.
The Acoustic Kids Showcases will be held: Friday, Austin Stage 5:30-7 p.m.; Saturday, Dance Stage 10-11:30 a.m.; and Saturday, Mayes Pit 3:45-5:15 p.m. Additionally, from among this year’s pool of applicants, several performers will be chosen for a special “Acoustic Kids Ambassadors” performance hosted by Andy May on the Cabin Stage, Saturday 6:20-6:45 p.m. These showcases allow music fans the opportunity hear the next generation of pickers, singers and traditional-style artists.
The Little Pickers Family Area offers children’s activities, crafts and entertainment, as well as performances at the Little Pickers Stage. Children can also meet Flattop, the big raccoon who serves as the MerleFest mascot.
In addition to music, MerleFest offers special activities and shopping, all in a family-friendly atmosphere. The Shoppes at MerleFest is a centrally-located shopping village featuring demonstrating artisans, vendors, convenience foods, official MerleFest memorabilia and services such as first aid, lost and found, and Internet access. Lowes Foods “Raised Right Here,” offering fruit, vegetables and deli-style sandwiches, will be a welcome addition to the expanded list of food vendors that will be at the festival this year.
Also new to MerleFest is the Belk Lounge, which will be located between the Traditional and Americana stages. Festival patrons can relax like a VIP there, as well as register to win prizes, receive special giveaways, and use the lounge’s cellphone charging station.
For those who would like to start their day with a little Downward Facing Dog, a yoga class will be offered at 10 a.m. on Sunday morning at the Dance Stage. Beginners and yogis alike are welcome to attend! Additionally, nature walks of the gardens and forest on the WCC campus will be offered on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
“For those wanting an affordable weekend getaway, MerleFest provides a true value to its customers,” said festival director Ted Hagaman. “The admission prices are extremely reasonable - especially considering that we feature over 80 acts on 13 stages. Also, there are no hidden charges. We provide free parking, a free shuttle that will deliver you to the entrance, a free program guide as you enter, and all children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. In addition, our Little Pickers Family Area for children offers each child the opportunity to make crafts and participate in several interactive exhibits – all free of charge.”
Tickets for MerleFest may be purchased at www.MerleFest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857. A ticket discount is still available through April 22, 2015, and tickets will be available for purchase at the gate. Fans are encouraged to take advantage of the extended early bird discount.
MerleFest 2015 is presented by Window World. MerleFest is grateful to 90+ sponsors and advertisers for their support in making the event possible, including: Belk, Pepsi, Charlotte and Greensboro area Burger King restaurants, G&B Energy, Tyson, Wilkesboro Tourism Development Authority, The InterFlex Group, Hardee's, Winston-Salem Journal, WXII 12, the Law Offices of Timothy D. Welborn, Bojangles', Carolina Ford Dealers, Carolina West Wireless, CenturyLink, Lowes Foods, Wilkes Communications, Wilkes Regional Medical Center, Wells Fargo and Mast General Store. A complete listing of all MerleFest sponsors and additional information about all aspects of the festival can be found at www.MerleFest.org.
MerleFest, considered one of the premier music festivals in the country, is an annual homecoming of musicians and music fans held on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of the son of the late American music legend Doc Watson, renowned guitarist Eddy Merle Watson. MerleFest is a celebration of "traditional plus" music, a unique mix of music based on the traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including bluegrass and old-time music, and expanded to include Americana, country, blues, rock and many other styles. The festival hosts a diverse mix of artists on its 13 stages during the course of the four-day event. The annual event has become the primary fundraiser for the WCC Endowment Corporation, funding scholarships, capital projects and other educational needs.
Facebook: MerleFest (www.facebook.com/MerleFest)
Twitter Handle: @MerleFest (https://twitter.com/MerleFest)
Instagram: @MerleFest
Hashtags: #MerleFest #MidnightJam #BanjoRama #HAH2014
1. Parking – Free (and plentiful) parking and shuttle services are available from the Blue Lot, located off Highway 268 West. The shuttle services runs non-stop during festival hours and until everyone is off campus at the end of the evening. Follow the “Blue Lot” parking signs. Also, the Blue Lot is an easy half-mile walk to the festival grounds.
2. Prepare for any weather – sunscreen, rain poncho/coat, jacket or sweatshirt (the evenings can get chilly), and most importantly, comfortable shoes.
3. Bring a blanket or lawn chair – General Admission seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and is located immediately behind the reserved seating area at the Watson Stage and stretches all the way to the trees behind the Little Pickers Family Area. To protect the grounds, all chairs and blankets must be removed daily except festival-owned “reserved seats.” Convenient on-site, overnight storage is available free of charge at the Lost & Found Tent; it is staffed by a local civic group who will be happy to assist you.
4. Plan ahead – MerleFest offers more than 80 artists performing on 13 stages throughout the four-day festival. There’s no way to see everything. Use the website (www.MerleFest.org/lineup) to prepare your “must see” agenda. Or better yet, download the FREE MerleFest mobile app before you arrive to the festival. You’ll find everything you need to know, including stage schedules, artist bios, menus of food available at the Food Tent and much more – literally in the palm of your hand!
5. Pack a Picnic – Guests are welcome to pack a cooler or basket with snacks and beverages. Just remember, only non-alcoholic beverages are allowed. The festival does not allow any glass containers. For safety and the consideration of all guests and the campus, all coolers, backpacks, bags, etc. are subject to being checked at each festival entrance.
6. Explore the Unknown – Discover a new favorite band at MerleFest. Absolutely make a list of favorites that you don’t want to miss, but roll the dice on a band or performer you’ve never heard of… You might discover a type of music you weren’t familiar with, or see the debut of an artist that will be packing major concert venues in a few years. I mean, you might be seeing the next Avett Brothers or Old Crow Medicine Show – both of whom name MerleFest as being a major factor in launching them to stardom. Old Crow Medicine Show played the festival several times years ago before becoming the Grammy winners they are today. Fan favorite, Scythian, has also garnered a lot of support during their years of performing. Other artists whose popularity has grown from their appearance at MerleFest are Chris Thile and The Avett Brothers. Tift Merritt won the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at MerleFest just before her career blossomed.
7. Speaking of future stars, the talent offered at the Acoustic Kids Showcases is mind-blowing! Those kids are AMAZING! Andy May has assembled an impressive collection of musicians and performers for these sessions: Friday, Austin Stage 5:30-7 p.m.; Saturday, Dance Stage 10-11:30 a.m.; and Saturday, Mayes Pit 3:45-5:15 p.m. Several Acoustic Kids will be chosen for a special “Acoustic Kids Ambassadors” performance hosted by Andy May on the Cabin Stage, Saturday 6:20-6:45 p.m.
8. 13 Stages – Visit each stage at least once during your visit to MerleFest. Each stage offers unique programming and its own ambiance.
9. Shopping at MerleFest is awesome! Everyone should make time for The Shoppes at MerleFest and Heritage Crafts. This year MerleFest has more than 100 vendors offering unique items that you won’t find at most retail stores. And the demonstrating artisans in Heritage Crafts make one-of-a-kind creations right here at the festival. The diverse food selection at MerleFest offers something for every appetite. There’s everything from barbeque to burgers, Mexican to Asian to Italian cuisine, seafood to Southern favorites like chicken pot pie. And don’t forget to try something deliciously sweet made by the Wilkes Community College Baking & Pastry Arts students!
10. MerleFest Workshops – One of the hidden gems at MerleFest is the Mayes Pit/Cohn Auditorium in Thompson Hall where workshops are held on Friday and Saturday of the festival. Workshops may include everything from learning how to play a washboard, harmonica or piano to using a capo, storytelling, songwriting, yodeling and singing. Workshops also include performing different styles on the guitar, banjo, mandolin and fiddle. MerleFest aficionados will want to see “The History of MerleFest” workshop. “B” Townes, the festival’s first director and the person who worked closely with Doc Watson to bring MerleFest to life, presents this workshop on Friday at 2:15 p.m.
11. Lost & Found is located in The Shoppes at MerleFest. Chairs left overnight on the grounds will be taken to this area where they may be reclaimed. Please take any found items to this location so that they can be claimed by the owner.
12. The First Aid Tent is managed by the Wilkes Rescue Squad and provides minor first aid services onsite.
13. Chaplain – If in need of a helping hand during the festival, Reverend Roy Dobyns, pastor of First Baptist Church in Boone, N.C., serves as the MerleFest chaplain. Please feel free to go by the Visitors Center to contact Reverend Dobyns. During the four days of the festival, the phone number for Reverend Dobyns is 828-406-1388.
14. Visitors Center – If guests need additional assistance during the festival, the Visitors Center is located within Thompson Hall Room 138.
The Waybacks, along with special guests Joan Osborne, Sam Bush, Jim Lauderdale, and Jens Kruger, have something special planned for this year’s Hillside Album Hour, the band’s eighth consecutive performance of what has become a hallmark MerleFest event.
"This year's Album Hour will likely be our most ambitious to date," says The Waybacks' lead guitarist, James Nash. "We're taking a classic American album and exploring its lyrical themes by juxtaposing music from other artists and time periods. The album we've chosen is from the mid-80s (our first from that decade), and its songs are mostly upbeat, while simultaneously referencing war, poverty, and racial tension. We've rearranged these songs by incorporating recognizable melodies and lyrics associated with earlier eras and events – for instance, the Civil Rights movement and the Vietnam War protests, as well as cultural touchstones – in an attempt to put the album in a historical context that we hope will deepen and broaden its underlying themes. I'm excited to perform this, and I'd love to share some details about the music we've chosen to complement the album, and why."
Over the past eight years, The Waybacks have performed and interpreted a broad array of classic albums by the likes of Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stone, The Beatles, The Allman Brothers, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan & The Band, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. The band's special guests have ranged from Elvis Costello to Emmylou Harris, Susan Tedeschi to Mike Farris, and many more. Their inspired performances have made the Album Hour a highly anticipated event and a fan favorite at Merlefest. As in past years, the album choice is a closely guarded secret until the show begins.
MerleFest, presented by Window World, is proud to announce new artist additions to the lineup for MerleFest 2018, which will be held April 26 - 29, 2018: Elephant Revival, Rhiannon Giddens, Rodney Crowell, and Shinyribs. The annual homecoming of musicians and music fans returns to the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The newest additions to the lineup join over 75 artists that have already been announced, including Kris Kristofferson, Jamey Johnson, Robert Earl Keen, The Devil Makes Three, Balsam Range and the Atlanta Pops Orchestra Ensemble, Mission Temple Fireworks Revival featuring Paul Thorn & Band, The Blind Boys of Alabama, and the McCrary Sisters, a Midnight Jam hosted by Town Mountain and Jim Lauderdale, and many more.
Elephant Revival – Elephant Revival is a unique collection of multi-instrumentalists blending elements of gypsy, Celtic, Americana, and folk. Brought together by a unified sense of purpose, Elephant Revival communicates the importance of harmony among all living things and uses music to unite us in ways that no other medium can. Elephant Revival is scheduled to play the Hillside Stage on Friday.
Rhiannon Giddens – Singer-songwriter Rhiannon Giddens is the co-founder of the GRAMMY award-winning string band Carolina Chocolate Drops, playing banjo and fiddle. Giddens’ 2014 Grammy nominated solo debut, Tomorrow Is My Turn, blends gospel, jazz, blues, and country, and showcases her dazzling vocal prowess. Giddens follow-up album Freedom Highway, largely comprised of original songs, was released to widespread critical acclaim in February. She performed at the Obama White House and duets with country star Eric Church on his powerful anti-racism hit "Kill a Word." Last year she received the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Singer of the Year and the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Bluegrass and Banjo and in 2017 won the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation “genius grant” award. In 2018, Giddens will be the guest curator for the Cambridge Folk Festival. Giddens also has a recurring role on the recently revived television drama Nashville. Rhiannon Giddens is scheduled to play Saturday on the Watson Stage.
Rodney Crowell – Rodney Crowell is a multiple Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter who has written or recorded 15 #1 songs on the Country music charts. He has also won six Americana Music Awards, including the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting, and he is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. His songs have been recorded by country legends (Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, George Strait), to current country chart toppers (Tim McGraw, Keith Urban) to blues icons (Etta James), and rock and roll legends (Van Morrison, Bob Seger). Crowell’s latest album, Close Ties, was released in March 2017 on New West Records to critical acclaim. Rodney Crowell is scheduled to play the Cabin Stage on Friday.
Shinyribs – SHINYRIBS is the continuation of Kevin Russell’s musical journey that began in Beaumont, TX when, at 14, he found his father’s guitar under his bed, along with a sewing machine, a billy club and a box of comic books. Luckily he chose the guitar. Following his family’s oil boom and bust migratory path he landed in Shreveport, LA where he formed his first band. Picket Line Coyotes were a Husker Du meets Elvis Costello hybrid that lived and died between the “Arklatexabamassippi” borders much like their unfortunate animal namesake. That’s what took him to Austin where The Gourds were born from those Coyote ashes. That storied band of pumpkins came to an end after 18 years of good times and hard travelin’. From that point on Russell, has been riding high on the Shinyribs river of country-soul, swamp-funk and tickle. A Shinyribs show is an exaltation of spirit. It’s a hip shaking, belly laughing, soul-singing, song-slinging, down-home house party. Shinyribs is scheduled to play the Watson Stage on Thursday.
“For over 30 years, one of the major factors that has built and sustained MerleFest has been the quality of the artists and performances that our guests see over the 4 day festival,” says Ted Hagaman, Festival Director. “People truly feel that the festival is a great value and that is why music fans and families return year after year. We feel that the 2018 lineup again reflects the diversity and quality of performers and we look forward to another successful festival in April.” The 2018 current lineup may be viewed at MerleFest.org/lineup.
Tickets for next year’s festival may be purchased at www.MerleFest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857. MerleFest offers a three-tiered pricing structure and encourages fans to take advantage of the extended early bird discount. Early Bird Tier 1 tickets may be purchased from November 14 to February 18, 2018; Early Bird Tier 2 tickets from February 19 to April 25. Tickets will be sold using Tier 3 pricing at the gate during the festival.
About MerleFest
MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of the son of the late American music legend Doc Watson, renowned guitarist Eddy Merle Watson. MerleFest is a celebration of "traditional plus" music, a unique mix of traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including old-time, classic country, bluegrass, folk and gospel and blues, and expanded to include Americana, classic rock and many other styles. The festival hosts a diverse mix of artists on its 13 stages during the course of the four-day event. MerleFest has become the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, funding scholarships, capital projects and other educational needs.
