WILKESBORO, N.C. – MerleFest, presented by Window World and slated for April 27-30, 2017, is proud to announce six more additions to the 2017 lineup: The Avett Brothers, Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy, Chatham County Line Electric Holiday, Mandolin Orange, Steep Canyon Rangers and Sierra Hull.
The following announcement is from the good folks at MerleFest, which is slated for April 27-30, 2017. Early bird tickets are on sale now here. I am particularly excited to see Mountain Heart, Front Country, Chatham County Line, Scythian and Swift Creek in the lineup. Here’s hoping subsequent lineup announcements include Mipso, Flatt Lonesome, Will Overman Band, Dead Horses, Mandolin Orange, Zoe and Cloyd, Dori Freeman, The Church Sisters, Steep Canyon Rangers, The Infamous Stringdusters, Sarah Siskind, Sierra Hull, Yarn, American Aquarium, Mike Farris, Rhonda Vincent, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Annabelle’s Curse, Town Mountain, Little Hill Trio, The Genuine, The Honeycutters, The Steel Wheels, Elephant Revival, Balsam Range, Mason Via, The Judy Chops, Swampcandy, Chamomile and Whiskey and Billy Strings, among others.
From the release: “2017 will be a celebration of 30 years of MerleFest! The annual homecoming of musicians and music fans returns to the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The star-packed lineup for MerleFest 2017 will be announced over the next few months; today MerleFest made its first announcement for the 2017 lineup, including Zac Brown Band with a very special acoustic set, Del McCoury Band, Jim Lauderdale, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Peter Rowan, Mountain Heart and many more.”
The “King of Telluride” has been taking the East Coast by storm in recent years. Sam Bush has been a staple at Merlefest since its inception, but the mandolin virtuoso is no stranger to FloydFest and this spring played Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival for the first time.
Now, on the heels of his newest album release, “Storyman,” he’s headed to The Festy Experience, The Infamous Stringdusters music festival that benefits the Can’d Aid Foundation, set for Oct. 7-9 at the Lockn Festival property in Nelson County, Virginia, located between Charlottesville and Lynchburg.
In addition to Bush, Charlottesville resident Mary Chapin Carpenter, Lee Ann Womack, Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn, Steep Canyon Rangers, the North Mississippi All Stars and Anders Osborne (aka North Mississippi Osborne), are among the acts at the top of the bill for The Festy.
“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.”
This just in from the folks at Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival:
Organizers of the Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival announced the addition of eight bands to the lineup, led by co-headlining acts Lettuce and the Sam Bush Band. Continue reading →
I’m using my least favorite day of the year, Winter Solstice, to tell you about a show you don’t want to miss on my favorite day of the year, Summer Solstice: the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. This festival holds a special place in my heart. It is the first bluegrass festival I ever attended. One of my best friends and fellow music lover, Lynn Holt, introduced me to the magic of the box canyon that is topped by the twin Bridal Veil Falls and a river running through its lush valley. If Kevin Costner’s dad in “Field of Dreams” showed up there, he would ask if it was heaven. You seriously have to see it to understand how amazing it is. Continue reading →
If you’re a bluegrass or Americana music fan, you know that the “The Bush League” doesn’t have anything to do with baseball. Instead that is the moniker intrepid fans of Sam Bush proudly wear. Continue reading →
As reported first by Billboard.com today, MerleFest organizers have annouced that legendary country music artist Merle Haggard will perform for the first time at MerleFest as he closes MerleFest 2014 in Wilkesboro, N.C., on Sunday, April 27. Continue reading →