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Musings on folk, Americana, country, bluegrass and newgrass


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MerleFest 2024 lineup to include Old Crow Medicine Show, Turnpike Troubadours, The Teskey Brothers, Nickel Creek, Steep Canyon Rangers, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, and many more

From the good folks at MerleFest:

MerleFest, presented by Window World, has announced the initial lineup for its 36th annual event, taking place April 25-28, 2024, on the campus of Wilkes Community College. Leading the breadth of can’t-miss performances this year are Grammy-winning rogue-folk ensemble Old Crow Medicine Show (celebrating both their 25th anniversary and nearly 25 years since their MerleFest debut in 2000), Red Dirt stalwarts Turnpike Troubadours, decorated blues-rock duo The Teskey Brothers, and recently reunited bluegrass sensation Nickel Creek. MerleFest favorites Steep Canyon Rangers, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, The Earls of Leicester, and more are also set to appear. View the initial lineup below. Additional artists to be announced in the coming weeks.

MerleFest 2024 tickets are available now. For general admission passes, as well as patio seating, reserved seating, camping, parking, and more, please visit merlefest.org/purchase.

MerleFest 2024 will welcome Old Crow Medicine Show, Turnpike Troubadours, The Teskey Brothers, Nickel Creek, Steep Canyon Rangers, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, The Earls of Leicester, Shinyribs, Peter Rowan, Scythian, Donna the Buffalo, Jim Lauderdale, Kruger Brothers, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Chatham County Line, Chatham Rabbits, John McEuen, Willi Carlisle, Adeem the Artist, The Sensational Barnes Brothers, The Waybacks, Alexa Rose, Andy May, Ashes & Arrows, B. Townes, Banknotes, Buffalo Nichols, Carol Rifkin, Charles Welch, Flattop, Goldpine, Gravity Check Juggling, The InterACTive Theater of Jef, Jack Lawrence, Jake Kohn, Jeff Little Trio, JigJam, Joe Smothers, Josh Goforth, Kyshona, Laura Boosinger, The Local Boys, Mark Bumgarner, Mitch Greenhill & Mitch’s Kitchen, Nefesh Mountain, Palmyra, Pete & Joan Wernick, Presley Barker, Roy Book Binder, The Silent Comedy, T. Michael Coleman, Them Coulee Boys, Tony Williamson, Uwade, and Wayne Henderson. For artist performance dates, visit merlefest.org/lineup.

MerleFest Volunteer applications are now open. As a volunteer, participants will receive free entry to the festival for the entire day of their shift, free parking, and shuttle, and 10% off camping at River’s Edge Campground. Most importantly, volunteers will be supporting a major fundraiser for Wilkes Community College. Please visit merlefest.org/volunteer to sign up before the April 13th deadline.

Applications to be a MerleFest vendor are also open. Vendors are carefully selected to provide a variety of quality and unique goods for every MerleFest fan. Included in the vendor fee is the cost of your tent, tent setup, fire extinguisher, gutters, table, chairs, lightbulb for nighttime illumination, on-campus security, as well as general admission passes for the entire festival and one on-campus parking pass. Simply put, it’s a great deal! Please visit merlefest.org/vendors to apply now before the application window closes on January 15th.


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John McEuen & The Circle Band to perform at Blue Note Grill in Durham on Jan. 12

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA — You may recognize singer-songwriter John McEuen as a founding member of the legendary country/bluegrass act The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, which recently performed in Durham at the Carolina Theater.

Now McEuen, who left Nitty Gritty in 2017, is planning to perform at the Blue Note Grill on Thursday, Jan. 12,  with the help of Les Thompson (another founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), John Cable (former NGDB member), and Matt Cartsonis. The quartet plans to perform songs from “Will The Circle Be Unbroken,” the landmark platinum-selling album originally released by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band 50 years ago, along with contemporary originals penned by McEuen and other storied offerings from the bluegrass/country songbook.  The show will also feature archival photos and video from McEuen’s time in the NGDB, according to his publicist Matt Kelly.

McEuen has personally logged 9,500 plus concert appearances and traveled 3 million plus miles on the road both during his time as a member of NGDB and now as a solo performer.  McEuen is in his 15th year of hosting his Acoustic Traveler show on Sirius/XM and is prominently featured in the Ken Burns documentary “Country Music,” which has aired on PBS.  He also recently released a coffee table book showcasing 150 rare and unseen photos from the “Will The Circle Be Unbroken,” writing and recording sessions to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the release. “Will the Circle Be Unbroken- The Making of a Landmark Album,” which has been featured in Bluegrass TodayWestword, and Aspen Daily News, among others.

IF YOU GO

Who: John McEuen & The Circle Band

What:                Concert Performance

Where:              The Blue Note Grill- 709 Washington St, Durham, NC 27701

When:               Thursday, Jan. 12

Time:                 7:30 p.m.

Tickets:             $35

Age Limit:       All Ages

Website:           www.johnmceuen.com

EPK:                 http://www.michaeljmedia.com/pressjmceuen.html

Tickets:             https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/5937253/john-mceuen-the-circle-band-durham-the-blue-note-grill