While you’re thawing out from the latest blow Old Man Winter has landed, here’s a thought that should warm you: It’s only 72 days until MerleFest, which is set for April 28-May 1 on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
For the first time, MerleFest, the music festival founded in 1988 by the legendary Doc Watson in honor of his son and fellow musician Eddy Merle Watson, will offer music lovers a sneak peek of this spring’s festival when “MerleFest On the Road” tours throughout the Southeast during March. The tour will feature select artists scheduled to perform at MerleFest 2016: Tellico, High Plains Jamboree and Zoe & Cloyd.Continue reading →
This also ran on The Huffington Post here and on Halfway South here.
MADISON, N.C. — Seth Williams went from playing the blues on Madison’s Market Street to Memphis’ famed Beale Street at the 32nd International Blues Challenge Jan. 26-30. If the fans reaction is any indication, it won’t be this young musician’s last trip to the home of the blues and the birth place of rock ‘n roll.
“I think he did really well,” says T.L Lineberry, operations director for the Carolina Blues Festival. “He’s young and has a lot of talent.”
Williams, a 17-year-old native of Reidsville, North Carolina, was among the talent performing in the Blues Challenge Youth Showcase along with blues musicians from around the world who competed for cash, prizes and industry recognition. Williams earned a spot on one of the storied stages by winning the youth competition in October at the Blind Tiger in Greensboro, North Carolina. Continue reading →
“MerleFest, presented by Window World and slated for April 28-May 1, 2016, is proud to announce three powerful new additions to the 2016 lineup: breakout Americana star Jason Isbell, legendary Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel and inspiring gospel songster Mike Farris and The Roseland Rhythm Revue. These three new artists join more than 100 other artists already announced, including John Prine, Old Crow Medicine Show, Dave Rawlings Machine, Brandi Carlile, The Wood Brothers, Steep Canyon Rangers, Tim O’Brien, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Peter Rowan, Alison Brown, Doug Seegers, Will Overman Band and more! The four-day event, the largest roots and Americana music festival in the nation, takes place on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in the heart of Appalachia. MerleFest continues the legacy of Doc Watson and is a benefit for the college. This homecoming of roots music artists and fans draws nearly 80,000 participants every year.”
Greensboro, N.C., February 9, 2016 — The National Folk Festival announced today the first group of artists who will be performing in downtown Greensboro from September 9 – 11, 2016. The 76th National Folk Festival in 2016 marks the event’s second year of its three-year residency in Greensboro.
Rooster Walk and FloydFest fans, listen up: Perennial fan favorites — psychedelic rock band Major and the Monbacks — are teaming up with internationally acclaimed producer, touring artist and Spacebomb Records founder Matthew E. White in April 2016 to record their sophomore full-length album. The new album will follow up the band’s independently produced debut album that was released in May 2015. Continue reading →
After weeks of teasing phans (see what I did there?) with single-band announcements for the sixth annual Phuzz Phest music festival set for April 15-16 in downtown Winston-Salem, organizers announced (most of) the lineup today. Continue reading →
The full lineup for Phuzz Phest 2016 will be announced soon, but organizers have announced three bands so far. From the Facebook page today:
“We’re excited to announce another A++ act from this year’s lineup, London garage-pop outfit Yuck!! Check out the single from their upcoming album, and see them this April at Phuzz Phest!” Continue reading →
MADISON, N.C. — Seth Williams is heading from playing the blues on Madison’s Market Street to Memphis’ Beale Street later this month. Continue reading →
FloydFest organizers announced today Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats will join FloydFest 2016. The event is set for July 27-31 off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Floyd, Virginia.Continue reading →
