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Musings on folk, Americana, country, bluegrass and newgrass

Tag Archives: North Carolina


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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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MerleFest 2021 announces full lineup

MerleFest, presented by Window World, is proud to announce the full lineup for MerleFest 2021, which will take place Sept. 16-19 on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, according to a press release from IVPR.

The following is MerleFest’s complete list of performers including the previously announced headliners:
Sturgill Simpson, Tedeschi Trucks, Melissa Etheridge, Mavis Staples, Margo Price, LeAnn Rimes, Shovels & Rope, Balsam Range, Amythyst Kiah, JOHNNYSWIM, The Milk Carton Kids, We Banjo 3, Adam Traum, Banknotes, Bill and the Belles, Brittney Spencer, Cane Mill Road, Carol Rifkin, Charles Welch, Charley Crockett, Chatham Rabbits, Cordovas, Creole Stomp with Dennis Stroughmatt, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Donna the Buffalo, Happy Traum, Hogslop String Band, Iron Horse Bluegrass, Jack Lawrence, Jeff Little Trio, Jim Lauderdale, Jody Carroll, Joe Smothers, Joe Troop (of Che Apalache), John Cowan, Kelsey Waldon, Kruger Brothers, Laura Boosinger, Mark Bumgarner, Mary Flower, Mitch Greenhill & String Madness, Moore Brothers, Nefesh Mountain, Oliver Hazard, One Fret Over, Paul Thorn, Pete & Joan Wernick, Peter Rowan & Free Mexican Airforce with Los Texmaniacs, Piedmont Bluz, Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Presley Barker, Rev. Robert Jones, Robbie Fulks, Roy Book Binder, Sam Bush Band, Sam Williams, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, Scythian, Shinyribs, Sierra Ferrell, Smitty and the Jumpstarters, Sweet Potato Pie, T. Michael Coleman, Terrapin Creek, The Barefoot Movement, The Cleverlys, The InterACTive Theatre of Jef, The Local Boys, The Waybacks, Tommy Emmanuel, Tony Williamson, Wayne Henderson, Wyld Fern, Yasmin Williams and Zoe & Cloyd.

This lineup of world-class bands and artists will be joining the annual homecoming of musicians and music fans. 

MerleFest tickets will go on sale on June 10. More information can be found at merlefest.org.
MerleFest, presented by Window World, would also like to remind potential volunteers that the volunteer application period is now open and the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest (CASC) is accepting submissions until June 15. Information on both of these can be found at www.merlefest.org.


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Cold Mountain Music Festival postponed to Aug. 14-15

This just in from the founders of Cold Mountain Music Festival:

To our Cold Mountain Music Festival, Lake Logan, and Camp Henry families,

In recent weeks, we have stood alongside our nationwide cohort of festival organizers to witness the unfolding of the COVID-19 pandemic and assess how it would impact our 2020 event schedule. While we originally hoped the situation would be subdued in time for our June gathering, we have also kept a watchful eye on the trajectory of this outbreak and have learned that the likelihood of this occurrence is slim.

In the interest of public safety, the 4th Annual Cold Mountain Music Festival will be postponed until August 14-15, 2020. While we can not yet reveal the exact lineup details, rest assured that we have been able to preserve the majority of originally scheduled artists. The talent team is working diligently to put the finishing touches on the new bill and will be ready to announce next week. Continue reading →


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Catch Mandolin Orange playing live on a social media platform of your choice April 26

Fans of Mandolin Orange, listen up:

Chapel Hill, North Carolina’s own Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz, who make up one of today’s premiere American roots duos, will be playing live at 8:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, April 26 on Instagram, Facebook and Youtube!

Any donations that come in via PayPal or Venmo (@mandomarlin) will be split 50/50 with the Compass Center for Women and Families, an organization that provides resources and shelter to those experiencing domestic violence.

In the meantime, check out this interview with Mandolin Orange I published a while back on Huffington Post.

 

 


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MerleFest announces plan to stream 2012 festival on April 23-26

From the good folks over at MerleFest:

Wilkesboro, N.C. – In lieu of their annual gathering of music fans and musicians from across the globe, MerleFest presented by Window World has announced a rebroadcast of the Watson and Cabin stages from the 2012 MerleFest weekend.

As a thank you to every fan who has attended and supported MerleFest over the years, this broadcast is being presented free of charge. Simply visit MerleFest.org and click the live stream link on the homepage to view the broadcast over the course of the originally scheduled MerleFest 2020 weekend, April 23-26.

MerleFest 2012 holds a special place in the history of the festival.  Music legend Doc Watson played the Watson Stage alongside lifelong friends for the final time in 2012.  The love and support for Doc shines bright during these performances that also mark the 25th year of the festival he and others started in memory of Doc’s late son, Eddie Merle Watson. “We are thrilled to be able to bring MerleFest 2012 to our loyal fans during the days that we would normally be celebrating MerleFest 2020,” says festival director Ted Hagaman. “Reliving Doc’s final festival will bring back wonderful music, moments, and memories for all to enjoy. We appreciate Window World for making this happen.”

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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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The shows must go on at Wake Forest Listening Room

WAKE FOREST, NORTH CAROLINA — The Wake Forest Listening Room shows with Momma Molasses and Sarah Siskind at Magnolia Roots will go on as scheduled this weekend, March 13 and March 14, unless they hear differently from the artists. So, come out and support live, original music if you can. The musicians – and the venues – will appreciate it. Check social media for updates here.

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Consider this before cancelling: MerleFest has more than $12 million regional economic impact

WILKESBORO, NORTH CAROLINA —  MerleFest organizers are agonizing over whether to cancel the music festival that attracts some 80,000 Americana fans honoring the legacies of the late, great Doc and Merle Watson. The deliberations are in direct response to Gov. Roy Cooper’s Thursday announcement about limiting crowds to fewer than 100 to stop the spread of coronavirus.

MerleFest officials wrote on the website Thursday: “We will be issuing an official statement concerning MerleFest 2020 by the close of business on Friday, March 13. Thank you for your patience and support.”

In the meantime, let’s take a look at the economic impact this music festival, which for the past 30 years has acted as the unofficial kick off to the music festival season, has on the region, keeping in mind this does not include music and merchandise sales for the artists, etc.

In 2019, MerleFest reported the following economic impact on the Wilkes Community College; Wilkesboro; and surrounding Wilkes County.

For the uninitiated, WCC closes down its campus during the last full week of April to become home to MerleFest.

Continue reading →