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IBMA announces full lineup for 2022 IBMA World of Bluegrass on Sept. 27-Oct. 1 in Raleigh

From the good folks at the International World of Bluegrass (IBMA):

Organizers of this year’s IBMA World of Bluegrass, taking place Sept. 27-Oct. 1 in downtown Raleigh, N.C., have revealed the full lineup of artists and daily schedule of performances for IBMA Bluegrass Live! powered by PNC.

The weekend festival will offer both ticketed and free Main Stage performances at Red Hat Amphitheater, and on five additional free StreetFest Stages in downtown Raleigh Friday, Sept. 30-Saturday, Oct. 1.

Main Stage performances at Red Hat Amphitheater for this year’s festival will begin at 5 p.m. both days and will feature premier bluegrass acts for six hours each day.

Additionally:

● This year’s festival includes a curated Arts Market featuring makers from local partners Artsplosure and Black Friday Market.

● Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) will be back at the Martin Street stage, sponsored by Ron and Nancy McFarlane, for the first time in three years. This stage is a festival favorite and an excellent way to showcase these young musicians’ talent, passion and authentic connection to the music.

● The Come Hear NC Stage returns to the open space in front of the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts. New this year is a beer garden featuring craft beers, as well as games and activities for the whole family to enjoy.

“When the festival is in town every third person has a fiddle, guitar or banjo on their back. It’s one of the best times of the year in downtown Raleigh,” said David Brower, festival producer and Executive Director of PineCone, the Raleigh-based non-profit that produces the festival. “I’m especially excited about the Capitol Stage, which this year features Southern gospel traditions, including bluegrass, string band and quartet gospel from Eastern North Carolina. It will be a joyful sound on that end of downtown.”

For the 10th year, PNC Bank returns as the presenting sponsor of IBMA Bluegrass Live! powered by PNC. “As PNC commemorates 10 years of doing business in North Carolina, we can’t think of a better way to demonstrate our long-term commitment to the Triangle than by helping bring regionally meaningful live music to the streets of downtown Raleigh,” said Jim Hansen, PNC regional president for Eastern Carolinas. “This sponsorship represents one of the many ways PNC is supporting the community and driving economic impact locally.”

The schedule for the Main Stage performances at Red Hat Amphitheater:

Friday, Sept. 30

5:00 p.m. Twisted Pine

6:00 p.m. Balsam Range

7:05 p.m. Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band

8:10 p.m. Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway

9:30 p.m. Jerry Douglas Band

Saturday, Oct. 1

5:00 p.m. Della Mae

6:00 p.m. Dan Tyminski

7:05 p.m. Dom Flemons & Shultz’s Dream, featuring: Brian Farrow, Dante Pope, Richard Brown

and Tray Wellington

8:10 p.m. Sierra Hull

9:30 p.m. Infamous Stringdusters

Friday, Sept. 30 StreetFest Schedule:

Come Hear NC Stage (located on the flat parking lot in front of the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts)

Buffalo Commons

Jim Lauderdale

Dewey & Leslie Brown and the Carolina Gentlemen

Sister Sadie

California Bluegrass Reunion: Darrol Anger, Chad Manning, Jim Nunally, Bill Evans,

John Reischman, Sharon Gilchrist

Tray Wellington Band

Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen

Darin & Brooke Aldridge

Della Mae

Davie Street Stage (located near the intersection of Davie and Fayetteville streets)

California Bluegrass Reunion: Darrol Anger, Chad Manning, Jim Nunally, Bill Evans,

John Reischman, Sharon Gilchrist

Steve Smith & Tim May

Stillhouse Junkies

Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band

Joe Newberry & Jim Collier

Terry Baucom’s Dukes of Drive

Sister Sadie

Gangstagrass

The Sweet Lillies

Martin Street Stage (located on Martin Street between Fayetteville and Wilmington streets)

JAM curated bands

Twisted Pine

Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road

Slocan Ramblers

Capitol Stage (located on Fayetteville Street between Martin & Hargett streets)

Dedicated Men of Zion

Mountain Highway

Lorraine Jordan

Caleb Serrano

Alan Bibey & Grasstowne

Dedicated Men of Zion

City Plaza Youth Stage (located on Fayetteville Street across from the Marriott)

Kids on Bluegrass

Fair Black Rose

BJUgrass (Bob Jones University)

UNC Asheville Bluegrass Band

ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band

Denison University Bluegrass Ensemble

KSBTM Bluegrass Band (Hazard Community & Technical College)

Tigertown Roots (Clemson University)

Belmont University Bluegrass Ensemble

World of Bluegrass Open Bluegrass Jams

Dan Bui (Twisted Pine)

Gangstagrass

Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band

Hank Pattie & The Current

Saturday, Oct. 1 StreetFest Schedule

Come Hear NC Stage (located on the flat parking lot in front of the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts)

Rocky Creek Ramblers

Violet Bell

John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project: The Tour

Tray Wellington Band

Special Consensus

Unspoken Tradition

Sideline

Henhouse Prowlers

Gangstagrass

Davie Street Stage (located near the intersection of Davie and Fayetteville streets)

Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra

Fair Black Rose

East Nash Grass

Earl White String Band

Danny Paisley

Hank, Pattie & The Current

Missy Raines & Allegheny

Chris Jones & the Nightdrivers

Damn Tall Buildings

Martin Street Stage (located on Martin Street between Fayetteville and Wilmington streets)

JAM curated bands

Diamond Creek

Into the Fog

Buffalo Commons

Capitol Stage (located on Fayetteville Street between Martin & Hargett streets)

The Burnett Sisters

The Gospel Jubilators

Dave Adkins Band

The Glorifying Vines

The Cockman Family

Brother Jerry Harrison & Faith

Darin & Brooke Aldridge

Faith & Harmony

City Plaza Youth Stage (located on Fayetteville Street across from the Marriott)

Kids on Bluegrass

UNC Bluegrass Band

Berea College

Colorado College

Berklee College of Music

Morehead State University

KSBTM Bluegrass Band (Hazard Community & Technical College)

Pellissippi State Community College

World of Bluegrass Open Bluegrass Jams (Market Plaza, Fayetteville St)

Earl White

Youth Jam with Fair Black Rose & The Loblollies

Tray Wellington

Hank, Pattie & The Current

All performers listed are subject to change. Updated artist information, as well as performance times and stages, will be posted in September at https://worldofbluegrass.org/festival Schedules will also be posted at each stage, and QR codes posted throughout the festival will allow festival-goers to access the full schedule and festival map on their phones. Participants who want a printed schedule are encouraged to print that ahead of time from the IBMA World of Bluegrass website.

Pat Morris, Executive Director of IBMA, offered additional comments on today’s schedule announcement: “What a great lineup for this year’s IBMA Bluegrass Live! powered by PNC. Music fans can enjoy great bluegrass from excellent musicians in a festive environment like no other. Come to Raleigh and surround yourself with the best fans in the world enjoying the best music in the world.”

A portion of the proceeds from IBMA Bluegrass Live! powered by PNC supports the IBMA Trust Fund, a 501(c)(3) that provides direct financial assistance to bluegrass artists and other industry professionals in times of emergency need. Since its creation in 1987, the Trust Fund has given more than $1,000,000 in direct aid. To meet the needs of the bluegrass community during the pandemic, the IBMA Trust Fund Board of Trustees established an account specifically for COVID-19 Relief.

Information about Red Hat Amphitheater ticketing, IBMA Bluegrass Ramble showcase passes, IBMA Business Conference registration, IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards tickets and hotel reservations are available at the IBMA World of Bluegrass website, WorldofBluegrass.org.

Additional sponsors who helped make this year’s festival and World of Bluegrass week events possible include Come Hear NC, Ron and Nancy McFarlane, JAM, Chevy, WRAL, Wegmans, Michelob Ultra, Wicked Weed, Stella Artois, Devil’s Backbone, Boone, WakeMed, Pepsi, Cheerwine, Nature’s Twist, Parker Poe, Bandwidth, NC Lotto, Chick-fil-A, RALIcares, Campbell University School of Law and others.

More info about IBMA World of Bluegrass and the IBMA Bluegrass Live! powered by PNC Festival

IBMA World of Bluegrass is the most important week in bluegrass. The week encompasses four events: the IBMA Business Conference, Sept. 27-29; the IBMA Bluegrass Ramble, an innovative series of showcases taking place Sept. 27-29 in downtown Raleigh and at the Raleigh Convention Center; the 33rd Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards scheduled for Thurs. evening, Sept. 29; and IBMA Bluegrass Live! powered by PNC, Sept. 30-Oct. 1, a two-day festival. IBMA Bluegrass Live! features the best of the best in bluegrass today, benefiting the IBMA Trust Fund.

As in years past, events during World of Bluegrass will take place at the Raleigh Convention Center, the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, the Red Hat Amphitheater and at various venues in town.

Volunteer for Wide Open Bluegrass and other World of Bluegrass events: https://worldofbluegrass.org/participate/volunteer/

Learn more about accessibility efforts that are part of the whole World of Bluegrass: https://worldofbluegrass.org/accessibility/

IBMA – the International Bluegrass Music Association – is the non-profit music association that connects, educates, and empowers bluegrass professionals and enthusiasts, honoring tradition and encouraging innovation in the bluegrass community worldwide.

PineCone is the Piedmont Council of Traditional Music. It is a Raleigh-based non-profit that serves as the official local host and festival producer for IBMA’s World of Bluegrass. It was founded in 1984 by a group of friends looking to preserve, present and promote music and dance that’s rooted in the Piedmont. PineCone hosts year-round events that highlight rich and diverse musical traditions that’ve been passed down informally for generations. There’s more about PineCone’s concerts, jam sessions, workshops, camps, youth programs and weekly radio show at Pinecone.org.

PNC Bank, National Association, is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit http://www.pnc.com.

The City of Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina, home to several colleges and universities, with a vibrant performing arts community. Fueled by an impressive mix of education, ingenuity and collaboration, North Carolina’s capital city has become an internationally recognized leader in life science and technology innovation.

Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh)

As the official destination marketing organization for Wake County, the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh), is responsible for promoting Wake County as an attractive travel destination and enhancing its public image as a dynamic place to live and work. Through the impact of travel, the organization strengthens the economic position of and provide opportunity for people throughout Wake County. Raleigh, N.C./Wake County welcomes nearly 13 million visitors annually whose spending tops $1.7 billion. The visitor economy supports more than 17,000 local jobs in Wake County and generates $186 million in state and local tax revenues, saving each Wake County household $470 in taxes annually. visitRaleigh.com

About Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex

The Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex encompasses four city-owned and managed facilities that bring together local residents, out-of-town visitors and a host of performing artists from around the country and the world.

In the heart of North Carolina’s vibrant capitol city, three of the four venues welcome some 1 million visitors to downtown Raleigh each year. The award-winning, 500,000-square-foot Raleigh Convention Center is a leader in innovation, sustainability and guest experience. Next door sits the city’s signature open-air music venue, the Red Hat Amphitheater, with 6,000 seats and a buzzworthy schedule of musical performances.

A short walk away, the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts offers four unique theaters, seating from 150 to 2,369, and is home to resident companies Carolina Ballet, North Carolina Theatre, North Carolina Symphony, North Carolina Opera and PineCone. Beyond Downtown Raleigh, Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek boasts a 20,000-person capacity amphitheater on 77 rolling green acres and regularly packs the house with big-name acts.www.raleighconvention.com/complex


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Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival 2022 set for May 26-29

Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival has announced the third and final wave of music performers for the much-anticipated 2022 festival, scheduled for May 26-29 in Martinsville, Virginia.

Rooster Walk returns with a diverse bill featuring a remarkable selection of over 40 artists performing across 6 stages over the four-day festival. Grace Potter joins Little Feat and Lettuce atop the festival lineup, which features something for everyone! Many ticket options have low inventory; others have already sold out.

Purchase tickets at this link: INFO & TICKETS

In addition to four days of amazing tunes, the family-friendly Rooster Walk will offer a wide variety of kids’ activities, craft beer, great food, arts and numerous opportunities to enjoy Virginia’s great outdoors with kayak tours, bike rides, yoga, a disc golf course and beautiful on-site camping.Rooster Walk has been consistently voted as a Top 3 Best Music Festival and Best Family-Friendly Festival by the Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine’s Best of the Blue Ridge. It also has been voted the region’s Most Creative Charitable Event by readers of Virginia Living Magazine, among other accolades. The festival was created in memory of late Martinsville natives Edwin “The Rooster” Penn and Walker Shank, who graduated from Martinsville High School in 2000.A portion of proceeds from the festival will be donated to local and regional charities, including Rooster Walk’s own Penn-Shank Memorial Endowment Scholarship Fund for students at Martinsville High School, and the Rooster Walk Music Instrument Program for public band programs in the local city and county school systems.

Learn more at this link: https://roosterwalk.com/


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Will Easter and The Nomads win 2022 MerleFest Band Competition

WILKESBORO, N.C. — Stokes County native Will Easter and his band, The Nomads, were declared the winners of the 2022 MerleFest Band Competition.

“I’m still in shock,” Easter said after finding out he and his band had won the contest.

Since MerleFest’s inception, the festival has fostered and provided opportunities to up-an-coming musicians, songwriters, local and regional artists and other undiscovered talent from around the country and this year was no exception.

MerleFest continues that tradition each year by inviting eight groups to not only perform during Saturday’s events but also compete for the chance to perform on the Hillside Stage in front of thousands of festival-goers.

This year’s other band competitors included:

The Blue Ridge Girls

The Burnett Sisters Band & Colin Ray

His & Hers

Jack Marion & The Pearl Snap Prophets

Love & Valor

South Hill Banks

Judged by members of The Local Boys, the band competition winner was announced by host Mark Bumgarner and the lucky group received a coveted spot on the Hillside Stage’s Sunday lineup at 11 a.m. The band played a rousing set to an appreciative crowd. And The Boot named Easter’s set among the best at the festival.

“For some, performing at one of the nation’s largest Americana music festivals is a springboard for their musical careers, while for all the participants it is a once in a lifetime experience,” Bumgarner said. “The level of talent has been incredible and continues to wow the crowds each year.”

“Offering insight into some of the most premier up and coming talent across the nation, this competition is sure to impress,” adds judge and The Local Boys band member John Aaron Soots.

Not only a fan-favorite event, this annual gathering of next-generation bands is near and dear to MerleFest organizers’ hearts as well.

“The band contest is a great opportunity to discover your next favorite up-and-coming band. Every year the talent and quality continue to impress, and audiences get a chance to feel like they’re discovering the next big thing before they hit the Watson Stage,” says MerleFest Artist Relations Manager Lindsay Craven. “We love getting the local and regional talent on our stages and playing for our audience.”


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Thursday Highlights from MerleFest 2022

Country music phenom Josh Turner’s closing set on Thursday night at MerleFest 2022.

Day one of MerleFest 2022 is in the books, but the kickoff of the 34th annual musical homecoming will not soon be forgotten for those fortunate enough to gather again on the campus of Wilkes Community College.

Following are a few highlights:

Fireside Collective, who, you may remember, won the MerleFest Band Competition in 2016 with their unique roots sound, kicked off the Watson Stage sets and set the stage for a warm, sunny afternoon filled with a variety of musical stylings. I imagine Doc Watson and his son Merle, for whom the festival is named in his memory, smiling down on the sheer variety of what Doc like to refer as “traditional plus.” You can catch them later today on the Americana Stage and in the Dance Tent.

The Steel Wheels, one of my favorites, followed on the Watson Stage with their high-energy set and unique blend of rootsy Americana that has earned them a loyal fan base as well as their own Red Wing Roots music festival. The boys from Virginia closed out their set with the first song they ever played at MerleFest, a rousing rendition of “Rain in the Valley.” Catch them later today on the Americana Stage.

Durand Jones & The Indications then introduced the crowd to their unique soul, Motown-esque sound that originated in a basement in Indiana (true story).

Trampled By Turtles gave, in my humble opinion, what can only be described as a the perfect MerleFest set with each rousing fiddle performance — somehow blending rock and roll with bluegrass — filling the hills of campus with the notes that define MerleFest’s tagline, “Music, Moments and Memories.” It was a performance that will not soon be forgotten by longtime fans as well as those new to this group’s unique sound.

Josh Turner, who made his MerleFest debut to an appreciative crowd, did not disappoint. His signature voice rumbled across campus and brought the crowd to its feet as he performed hit after hit.

Another highlight was the amazing Canadian songwriter Tenille Townes, who also made her MerleFest debut on the Cabin Stage. It is no surprise that Townes is taking Nashville by storm with her insightful lyrics and award-winning vocals. There is no doubt that on her return to the festival she will be belting out even more hits from the Watson Stage.

Were you at MerleFest on Thursday? Would love for you to share your thoughts. Stay tuned for highlights from the rest of the jam-packed weekend!


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MerleFest announces Late Night Jam 2022 lineup

From the good folks at MerleFest:

MerleFest organizers and patrons have been counting down the days for the world-famous festival’s return to its usual Spring weekend. Some fans’ annual pilgrimages to MerleFest are already underway, and the Wilkes Community College campus is abuzz with festival staff excitedly readying the festival to take place just two days from now—April 28 through May 1.

MerleFest, presented by Window World, has announced the lineup for the fan-favorite Late Night Jam. The Waybacks, Jim Lauderdale, Allison Russell, Kaia Kater, Donna The Buffalo, Kruger Brothers, and Caleb Caudle will join jam hosts to explore the theme of this year’s jam: “The Times They Are A-Changin’ – Songs from the 60’s and 70’s Folk-Rock Revolution.” 


MerleFest has published the official festival schedule at merlefest.org/schedule so that fans can plan their weekend. Not to be missed traditions include The Waybacks’ Album Hour set on the Hillside Stage on Saturday afternoon, Sunday morning Gospel sets at the Creekside Stage, Thursday’s Late Night Dance Party with Donna The Buffalo on the Dance Stage, and MerleFest’s yet-to-be-announced band competition winners Sunday on the Hillside Stage. Be sure to check out MerleFest first-timers, including the R&B and soul revolution of Durand Jones & The Indications (Thursday on the Watson Stage), Nashville hit songwriter and 1/4 of The Highwomen Natalie Hemby is being replaced by Sierra Hull (not a first timer) after it was announced Hemby couldn’t make the festival (Friday on the Cabin Stage), Allison Russell’s ethereal, multi-instrument prowess (Saturday on the Cabin Stage), and Arlo McKinley’s eclectic blend of soul, country, punk, and gospel (Saturday on the Cabin Stage). 


Tickets for this year’s festival are still available and may be purchased at www.MerleFest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857. MerleFest also encourages festivalgoers to download the official MerleFest mobile app ahead of this year’s festivities to keep up to date with schedules, events, and on-site information.


Additionally, MerleFest would like to remind patrons of this year’s safety protocol. The major points are as follows: MerleFest 2022 will be mask-optional in general, but masks will be required while riding on all festival shuttle buses and transportation and in the artist-secured backstage area. Buses will be sanitized periodically, and hand sanitizer will be available prior to boarding shuttle buses. Proof of vaccination/negative COVID-19 tests will not be required for 2022. A full list of MerleFest 2022 safety guidelines can be found at merlefest.org/safety. MerleFest continues to follow the state health guidelines as directed by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper along with the CDC and state/local health agencies, so these protocols are subject to change pending state rulings. “Our number one priority has always been to produce a safe and family-friendly event, and that certainly is the goal for MerleFest 2022,” said this year’s festival organizers. 


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 12 stages during the course of the multi-day event. MerleFest is the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, funding scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs.


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That Music Fest is coming to DBAP in June

That Music Fest presented by Come Hear NC is a two-day music festival celebrating the artists who make music right here in North Carolina! Join then at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Friday, June 24, and Saturday, June 25, for a stacked line up of incredible music. You can see 12 artists on the Main Stage, another six on the Landing Stage and seven more on the Concourse Stage sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka. That’s 25 bands on 3 stages under the stars at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park!

Single Day Tickets and Weekend Passes are available at the link below. 

https://thatstation.net/that-music-fest-schedule/


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And that’s a wrap MerleFest 2021

I can’t remember a better MerleFest than 2021. The chance to finally return to the campus of Wilkes Community College after a LONG 2 1/2 years to hear live music and feel the sun on my face while sitting in front of the Hillside Stage (ok maybe it was a too hot) was balm to my pandemic-battered soul. The chance to catch up with old friends I typically only seem to see at MerleFest and the chance to make new ones. The chance to discover new music from first-time MerleFest visitors while enjoying new music from MerleFest veterans. And the chance to meet all those babies conceived during lockdown. I have many, many stories to share from this year’s festival but for now please enjoy this wrap-up video from the festival and stay tuned for more from me soon!

Watch at this link: https://fb.watch/8bm_ydqayo/


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MerleFest announces 2021 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest finalists

The finalists of MerleFest’s 2021 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest (CASC) were announced in an Aug. 9 press release by IVPR.

The finalists have been invited to the final round of the competition, which will be held on Friday, Sept. 17, as part of MerleFest. First-place winners will receive $1,000 cash and a performance slot at MerleFest. This year’s panel of music industry professional judges includes Dolph Ramseur, Amythyst Kiah, Darin & Brooke Aldridge and The Milk Carton Kids. CASC is one of the most acclaimed songwriting contests in roots and Americana music and has a reputation for launching careers as well as drawing attention to important new talent.

Following are the full list of finalists:

Bluegrass: Jeff McClellan (Kingsport, Tenn.), Scott Patrick (Christiansburg, Va.) – “One Black Rock At A Time,” Gregory Poulos (Northville, Mich.) – “Sunny Days (Are Comin’ Once Again)” and Andrew Small (Floyd, Va.) – “Yesterday’s Blues.”

Country: Carly Burruss (Atlanta, Ga.), Mike McFadden (Nashville, Tenn.), Scott Terry (New York, N.Y.) – “Wheel of Fortune,” Calista Garcia (Arlington, Va.) – “Nobody Digs a Wallflower” and Ian Meadows (Higganum, Conn.), Dustin Meadows (Old Saybrook, Conn.) – “Trouble.”

General:Brieana Capone (Asheville, N.C.) – “Rainbow Stained”Shay Martin Lovette (Boone, N.C.) – “For Rose Marie”David Morris (Benton, Penn.), Amanda Fields (Madison, Tenn.) and Dawn Kenney (Waltham, Mass.) – “If I’m Gonna Be Lonely.”

Gospel/Inspirational: Louisa Branscomb (Asheville, N.C.), Dale Ann Bradley (Middlesboro, Ky.) – “I’ll Take Love” Daniel Davis (Bristol, Va.) – “Dear Lord” and Cathy Fink (Silver Spring, Md.) – “Hold Each Other Up.”

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 multi-day event. MerleFest is the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, funding scholarships, capital projects and other educational needs.
 For more information, visit www.MerleFest.org.


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Annual Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival 12 postponed until 2021

This isn’t an April Fool’s joke, unfortunately. As the live music festival and concerts cancellations continue to pour in, it breaks my heart to announce that Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival 12 has decided to postpone this year’s event to Memorial Day Weekend 2021.

From the good folks at Rooster Walk:
“After a lot of careful thought, research and discussion, Johnny, William and the Rooster Walk board of directors have made the very difficult decision to postpone RW12 until Memorial Day weekend of next year (May 27-30, 2021). We are heartbroken that we won’t get to see you at Pop’s Farm this spring, but ultimately the health and safety of everyone involved with the festival is our top priority. Like everyone, we’re hoping daily life will be getting back to “normal” by the late summer/fall, but we’ve decided there are too many unknowns, and therefore too much risk, to try to put on Rooster Walk later this year. We are hoping to host several live concerts at Pop’s in the late summer/fall, with on-site camping, if it’s safe to do so. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for updates on that front.

“This decision will have some very tough financial consequences on our nonprofit company, but we are determined to survive 2020 and put on our best festival ever in 2021. We know everyone is hurting right now, and we respect the fact that some patrons may NEED a refund. For those who can make do without asking for a refund, we humbly ask that you do us that HUGE favor because it might be the difference in our ability to put on a couple fall events instead of strictly going into “survival mode.”

“If you’ve already bought a ticket to Rooster Walk 12, you have three options related to your ticket purchases:

1) If you’d like to keep your tickets to use at Rooster Walk in 2021, you don’t need to do anything. All tickets already sold will be honored at Rooster Walk in 2021, even if ticket prices increase in the future.

2) If you need a refund, email info@roosterwalk.com with REFUND in the subject line by 5 pm EST Friday, April 17th, and tell us which tickets you are requesting a refund for. We will refund these tickets in full, less the service fees charged by the ticket company.

3) If you’d like the ticket money to be considered a donation to us, please shoot an email to info@roosterwalk.com with DONATION in the subject line. We are a 501c3 nonprofit, and we will send you a tax donation letter for your records.

“Thank you for your support. We’re lucky to have such a strong festival family! We look forward to seeing you at upcoming events.”

Indeed.


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Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival cancels Spring 2020 festival

More sad news as music festivals continue to cancel in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, this time from the good folks over at Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival:

CHATHAM COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA — “The time has come to make a tough decision regarding the 18th Annual Spring Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance.

“As you all know, Shakori Hills is a very special place that brings together music and dance fans twice a year to celebrate life and art. Therefore, you know how painful it is to announce the cancellation of the Spring 2020 festival due to the coronavirus.

“Carol Woodell, board president of the Shakori Hills Community Arts Center (SHCAC), would like you to know, “In the interest of slowing the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and with particular concern for the health of our festival family, the performers, staff, and our Chatham County community, it is with deep sadness that we are canceling our Spring festival,” said Carol Woodell, board president of the Shakori Hills Community Arts Center.

“The SHCAC is also cancelling all other programs until further notice, including all Road to Shakori shows, the Junior Appalachian Musicians classes, and multiple voice and art classes.”

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