musicreporterblog

Musings on folk, Americana, country, bluegrass and newgrass

Tag Archives: MerleFest


by Leave a comment

MerleFest to celebrate 35 years April 27-30, 2023

Tickets go on sale Nov. 15, when initial 2023 artist lineup will be announced

Photo by Brent Keane on Pexels.com
WILKESBORO, NORTH CAROLINA — MerleFest, presented by Window World, is planning a 35th celebration on April 27-30, 2023, and a 100th heavenly birthday celebration for Doc Watson.

MerleFest started in 1988 as a fundraiser for the Garden of the Senses on Wilkes Community College to memorialize world-renowned flat picker Eddy Merle Watson, Doc Watson’s son. In keeping with the MerleFest traditions, 2023 will offer jams honoring MerleFest’s past, present and future.

The celebration also aligns with the late Doc Watson’s 100th heavenly birthday. The festival plans to celebrate the life of Doc Watson and the history of MerleFest both visually and musically through vintage videos and artist collaborations.

MerleFest, an annual homecoming of musicians and music fans, occurs on the campus of Wilkes Community College.

Volunteers may choose to work a specific number of days or the entire four-day festival. In exchange for working a four-hour shift, volunteers will receive free entry into the festival for that day, free volunteer parking and shuttle, and a 10% discount on camping at the River’s Edge Campground.

We will begin accepting online applications for its popular volunteer program on Oct. 1.
Those who are interested in volunteering can apply online at www.merlefest.org/volunteer.
Additional information about MerleFest 2023 can be found at www.merlefest.org.


by Leave a comment

Scythian, Arbo to perform at The Ramkat in Winston-Salem on Oct. 1

Scythian and Arbo

Not going to make it to the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) World of Bluegrass this weekend? Perennial IBMA performers and MerleFest fan favorite Celtic rock band Scythian is set to return to The Ramkat on Oct. 1, 2022, with special guests ARBO, a Cajun swamp rock band. Doors open at 7 p.m., show at 8.

From Scythian’s website:

“Our triumphant return to The Ramkat will be an absolute knockout party you won’t want to miss! With it being so late in the touring season, we’re looking at this as our last HURRAH in N.C. before the end of the year, which means that this will be the LAST CHANCE TO SEE US IN N.C. THIS YEAR! We also advise that you get your tickets NOW because all the seating and balcony seating is SOLD OUT! Only GA for the floor and balcony is left, so BE QUICK and we’ll see you there!”

Tickets (what are left anyway) are on sale at TheRamkat.com!


by Leave a comment

Carolina in the Fall Music and Food Festival returns to Wilkesboro Sept. 23-24

I call it the mini-MerleFest. After a two-year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic, I’m excited to announce Carolina in the Fall Music and Food Festival, presented by Window World, is set to return on Sept. 23-24, 2022, to Wilkesboro.

Organizers say significant changes have been made for this year’s festival including a new presenting sponsor, Window World, which also sponsors MerleFest.

“We have been blessed with great local support for the festival from the very beginning and that tradition continues as Window World has taken over the role of the presenting sponsor for Carolina in the Fall”, said Dale Isom, festival organizer, on the event website. “We are very thankful for all of our sponsors over the years and their desire to provide excellent entertainment to our community”. 

Additionally, this year’s festival will be held entirely in the Carolina West Wireless Community Commons in Historic Downtown Wilkesboro. 

“Probably the biggest change to the festival is that it will be free to those that want to attend free”, Isom added. “We will sell a limited number of Reserved Seats to help fund the festival and the rest is free to the public”. 

The goal from the very beginning was to present a free festival, said Jens Kruger, of the festival’s host band, The Kruger Brothers, who call Wilkesboro home. “It just took us a while to figure out how to do it. We are excited to offer an amazing weekend of free music to our community and those that will visit Wilkesboro.”

The festival begins on Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday’s festivities will begin at noon.

“We are very excited about the bands we have lined up for this year’s festival,” said Festival Director Michelle Isom on the website. “We have worked very hard to bring excellent talent to Wilkesboro just as we have in our previous years. As always, we focus on bringing bands from North Carolina as this festival is a celebration of our musical roots. We are thankful to have the Kruger Brothers back as our host band and this year they are bringing a very special surprise for our audiences”. 

For more information and the full lineup, visit www.carolinainthefall.org. 

Famous for an amazing selection of food trucks, Carolina in the Fall will be bringing some of western North Carolina’s best trucks to feed their audiences. The festival will also have a limited number of vendor tents. The festivities will include the Annual Chad Lovette Memorial Run to benefit the American Cancer Society. Festival beer and wine sales will be handled by the Wilkes Heritage Museum with all proceeds going to benefit the museum.

Carolina in the Fall Music and Food Festival is a production of Heart of Folk, LLC along with the Town of Wilkesboro and The Kruger Brothers.


by Leave a comment

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.”


by Leave a comment

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!


by Leave a comment

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.


by Leave a comment

MerleFest 2022 promises many new as well as familiar faces

Spring has sprung in North Carolina and that means, In just a few short weeks, music fans from around the world will make their annual pilgrimage to the campus of Wilkesboro Community College, for one of the country’s most beloved weekends of live music, MerleFest.

If you haven’t already blocked off the weekend of April 28 – May 1, 2022, on your calendar, trust me on this, you’re are going to want to because this year’s lineup is one of the festival’s most impressive. And if you consider the fact we all met for this storied festival less than six months ago, it’s even more impressive.

While I know many festival goers will purchase tickets because they want to see the headliners — Emmy Lou Harris, Josh Turner, Old Crow Medicine Show, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Greensky Bluegrass, Trampled By Turtles, Steep Canyon Rangers, Jerry Douglas and many other talented acts — it’s the myriad “other” acts you are not going to want to miss. I often find that it’s the acts in the small print at the bottom of the festival poster that become the headliners of the future and each new festival gives you a chance to “discover” them before anyone else!

Caleb Caudle, a newcomer to MerleFest, is just such a performer for me. I first heard him perform at the now unfortunately defunct Phuzzfest in Winston-Salem. I knew immediately I wanted to hear more from this young talent. He later introduced me to another favorite band, Raleigh-based Jack the Radio, who opened for Caudle at another Winston-Salem show in another sadly defunct music space, The Garage. I have been writing about Caudle long before Rolling Stone finally caught on to his amazing talents and for good reason.

It’s been said that MerleFest is a homecoming, a reunion of sorts for fans and musicians alike. Familiar faces include the one and only Sam Bush, who has never missed a MerleFest since it first started on the back of a flatbed truck in the middle of a then-field, MerleFest’s house band Scythian and their friends from across the pond We Banjo Three, The Wood Brothers, The Steel Wheels, Darrell Scott, and, well you get the picture.

There are too many other great acts to mention but you can find a full lineup at this link.

Additionally, this year’s Late Night Jam hosts Hogslop String Band, whose unique sound and amazing energy I had the pleasure of experiencing at IBMA in October, will be joined on Saturday by myriad guests for a night of “The Times They Are A-Changin’ – Songs from the ‘60s and ‘70s folk-rock revolution.” 

And I am personally excited to announce that Will Easter, a native son and recent graduate of WCC, will be among those performing this year and also competing in this year’s Battle of the Bands, one of my favorite things to check out at MerleFest along with the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest.

Tickets for this year’s festival are on sale now and may be purchased at www.MerleFest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857. Short on cash? The volunteer application window is also open for sign ups at merlefest.org/volunteer.


by Leave a comment

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/


by Leave a comment

MerleFest 2021 Thursday High Notes

Not to snub any other acts at this year’s MerleFest but here’s my list of sets not to miss Thursday evening:

Scythian

I often refer to the boys from Front Royal, Virginia, as MerleFest’s unofficial house band whose lively sets are not to be missed. With a new album out and a year of virtual “quarantstreams” under their belts, Scythian is so excited to be back out on the road playing to live audience. The Celtic rock band promises on their social media that “this year’s MerleFest will be one of the best year’s yet!” Of that, I have no doubt. Learn more at https://www.scythianmusic.com/

Margo Price

In 2016 The Boot wrote: “If you don’t know who Margo Price is just yet, listen to the first track of her debut album, Midwest Farmer’s Daughter, and you’ll get a good idea. With ‘Hands of Time,’ Price shares the story of her life in just six minutes — and what a life it’s been.” ‘Nuff said.
Read More: Who Is Margo Price? 5 Things You Need to Know | https://theboot.com/who-is-margo-price/#photogallery-1=2?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral”

The Barefoot Movement

With roots in Oxford, North Carolina (just north of Raleigh/Durham for the geographically challenged) and a soon-to-be released album, “Pressing Onward,” The Barefoot Movement is poised to move from this year’s Cabin Stage to next year’s main Watson Stage. Their 10 new recordings are all produced by powerhouse industry veterans Chuck Plotkin (Springsteen’s Born in the USA, Bob Dylan’s Shot of Love, etc) and Hank Linderman (The Eagles, Chicago, etc). Their lead single “Someday” also hit digital and streaming retailers on Aug. 20 and was released via Bonfire Music Group. Learn more at http://www.thebarefootmovementofficial.com/

Sturgill Simpson

I’ve been looking forward to hearing Sturgill Simpson, who sounds surprisingly similar to the late, great Waylon Jennings, play live since his first genre-bending album, “METAMODERN SOUNDS IN COUNTRY MUSIC,” exploded on to the music scene. With his newest double entrendre and double-album, “Cuttin’ Grass” out, I am sure I won’t be disappointed. Learn more at https://www.sturgillsimpson.com/

Dance Tent with Donna the Buffalo

Donna the Buffalo joined forces with legendary Producer & Engineer Rob Fraboni to record their new album, “Dance in the Street,” at Sonic Ranch, the world’s largest residential recording studio built around an 80-year-old hacienda on a 3,300-acre pecan orchard right along the Mexican border, near El Paso, Texas. If you have ever been to their own Shakori Grassroots Festival, you know the Dance Tent will light up under their lively tunes tonight. Read more at https://www.donnathebuffalo.com/


by Leave a comment

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.