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Musings on folk, Americana, country, bluegrass and newgrass


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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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On Huffington Post: Five questions with Caleb Caudle, whose album ‘Carolina Ghost’ debuts Feb. 26

This post also ran on The Huffington Post here.

After country sensation Chris Stapleton won Best New Artist and Male Vocalist of the Year at the 49th CMA Awards, Caleb Caudle wrote on his Facebook page that the success of artists like Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson and Jason Isbell give him hope. Speaking of Isbell, you may recall that last summer I wrote a post about why I thought Caudle is the next Isbell. Turns out, I am not alone. With the release of his upcoming album, Carolina Ghost, later this month on This Is American Music, the North Carolina born and bred alt country/singer/songwriter has caught the attention of Yahoo Music, which named him a rising artist and debuted the track, “Broken Hallelujah,” here.

Caudle’s also featured on the Country Fried Rock podcast here, Saving Country Music named “Carolina Ghost” an album to look forward to in 2016 and both American Songwriter and Paste Magazine have debuted tracks.

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OCMS Remedy


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Old Crow Medicine Show, Sturgill Simpson to perform Saturday, May 2, at Koka Booth in Cary, N.C.

Fans of Old Crow Medicine Show and Sturgill Simpson are in for a treat at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary, N.C. Simpson is opening for the group with North Carolina ties that just won best folk album from the Grammys for “Remedy.” And Simpson, the Kentucky singer-songwriter crossover artist, just wrapped up performances at Cali’s Coachella AND Stagecoach music festivals. Advance tickets are $35 for lawn seats and can be purchased online here. Continue reading

After Jack performs at Rooster Walk 6


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Listen up! My favorite Americana discoveries of 2014

One of the reasons I attend Americana music festivals is for the opportunity to be exposed to new music and musicians I might never have sampled on my own. Following is a list of some my favorite Americana musical discoveries of 2014 at some of my favorite festivals in no particular order and where I first heard them. I hope that you will share your own discoveries.

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