This post also appears on The Huffington Post here.
The first time I heard folk, alt-country Americana singer-songwriter Gillian Welch perform live was at MerleFest in 2004 on the heels of the popularity of the Grammy-award winning movie soundtrack for “O Brother, Where Art Thou?,” on which she was an associate producer with the illustrious T-Bone Burnett and performed on two songs. It’s a performance that has stayed with me through the years.
From the folks at MerleFest today:
“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.”
The 2016 lineup is available online at www.MerleFest.org/lineup.
MerleFest fans, the wait is over! According to the following announcement from MerleFest, fans can look forward to hearing headliners John Prine, Dave Rawlings Machine and The Wood Brothers as well as MerleFest favorites Steep Canyon Rangers, Jerry Douglas, Scythian, Donna the Buffalo, The Kruger Brothers and some new acts including the Will Overman Band at MerleFest 2016 on April 28- May 1, 2016. Continue reading
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