As reported first by Billboard.com today, MerleFest organizers have annouced that legendary country music artist Merle Haggard will perform for the first time at MerleFest as he closes MerleFest 2014 in Wilkesboro, N.C., on Sunday, April 27.

Add MerleFest favorite Ricky Skaggs, whose Saturday, April 26, evening performance will mark the 12th time that the famed bluegrass musician has appeared in the lineup, and we have what is shaping up to be one of the best Merlefests ever.  Also scheduled among the 130 acts are Alan Jackson, Old Crow Medicine Show, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Della Mae, Holly Williams, Sam Bush, Scythian, Steep Canyon Rangers and Darrell Scott. I am sure Doc and Merle Watson would be pleased with this lineup for what continues to be one of the premier music festivals in the country.

MerleFest, presented by Lowe’s and slated for April 24-27, 2014, is an annual homecoming of musicians and music fans that takes place on the campus of Wilkes Community College. For more information and tickets, visit http://www.merlefest.org or call 1-800-343-7857. Early bird ticket sales end March 10.