musicreporterblog

Musings on folk, Americana, country, bluegrass and newgrass

Tag Archives: The Infamous Stringdusters


by Leave a comment

MerleFest shares stage schedules for 2026 festival

From the good folks over at MerleFest:

MerleFest, presented by Window World, will hold its 38th annual festival April 23-26, 2026 on the campus of Wilkes Community College, featuring a who’s who of “traditional plus” talent.

Slated for the highly anticipated weekend are headliners Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Old Crow Medicine Show, Charles Wesley Godwin, and Blackberry Smoke, alongside standouts like Molly Tuttle, Railroad Earth, and The Infamous Stringdusters, to name a few. Today, MerleFest unveiled its complete 2026 schedule for all 12 stages, now available online and via the official MerleFest Mobile App. Free to download on iOS and Android devices, the app features set times, artist bios, a festival map, and more — serving as an all-in-one tool for fans planning their weekend.

In addition to exploring the schedule, fans can now browse the official 2026 MerleFest merchandise collection through the festival’s online store. Festival merchandise is available to shop for a limited time in advance of the April 23-26 weekend, giving attendees the opportunity to pre-order festival favorites and show their MerleFest spirit year-round.

MerleFest is proud to once again welcome our 2026 Acoustic Kids Showcases with Andy May. Since 2001, the Acoustic Kids program has given young musicians of any skill level the opportunity to perform on festival stages in a supportive environment. Beginner through pro, all musicians 18 or younger are welcome to participate and share their music with the MerleFest audience. Each year, we host three 1.5-hour showcases and a half-hour Acoustic Kids Ambassadors set.

Pre-registration is required to participate in Acoustic Kids and is open from February 1 through March 15 (or until all showcases are full, whichever comes first). Register early to hold your spot! Online registration, showcase schedules, and FAQs are available at https://andymay.com/acoustic-kids/acoustic-kids-merlefest/, and detailed registration instructions are at https://andymay.com/acoustic-kids/registration-instructions/.

The WCC Foundation is thrilled to continue the Silent Auction this year, featuring the convenience of online bidding and the chance to view items in person throughout the festival. You can browse and place bids before and during the festival — all without missing a beat of the music. This year’s auction will showcase an even greater variety of distinctive, high-quality items, and the 50/50 Raffle is back for another exciting year! Proceeds support the SAGE (Supporting Academic Goals for Education) First Year Experience program, empowering students to start strong and achieve their goals. Online bidding for both the Silent Auction and the 50/50 Raffle will launch on April 6th. Stay tuned for more details at merlefest.org/silent-auction.

MerleFest 2026 tickets are available now, including the highly anticipated Late Night Jam featuring host Old Crow Medicine Show, guests Charlie Starr (of Blackberry Smoke), Maggie Rose, The Creekers, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, DUG, Donna the Buffalo, and more. For general admission passes, reserved seating, backstage tours, parking, and more, please visit merlefest.org/purchase.

About MerleFest

MerleFest, presented by Window World, was founded in 1988 as a fundraiser for the Garden of the Senses at Wilkes Community College to memorialize world-renowned flatpicker Doc Watson’s late son, 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.

About Window World®

Window World®, headquartered in North Wilkesboro, N.C., is America’s largest replacement window and exterior remodeling company, with more than 225 locally owned franchises nationwide. Founded in 1995, the company sells and installs windows, siding, doors, and other exterior products, with over 23 million windows sold and installed to date. Window World is an ENERGY STAR® partner and its windows, vinyl siding and entry doors have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal. Through its charitable foundation, Window World Cares®, Window World and its franchisees provide funding for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. Since its inception in 2008, the foundation has raised over $19 million for St. Jude. Window World also supports veterans through its Window World Military Initiative (WWMI). WWMI defines Window World’s commitment to honor and serve America’s veterans, active military, and military families across the entire franchise system by focusing on three pillars: Careers, Community Outreach and Partnerships. The Veterans Airlift Command has been a partner since 2008. During that time, Window World has contributed over $3.0 million in flights and donations to the organization. For more information, visit WindowWorld.com or call 1-800 WINDOWWORLD. For home improvement and energy efficiency tips, décor ideas, and more, follow Window World on Facebook and Instagram.


by Leave a comment

Telluride Bluegrass Festival announces 2026 lineup

The wait is over! The good folks at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival have announced the lineup for the 2026 rendition of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival set for June 18-21 and it doesn’t disappoint!

Still looking for a place to stay? 
There may still be a couple of Town Park camping, Warner Field camping and even some vehicle passes at shop.bluegrass.com but don’t delay if you want one or more of these coveted spots because they are sure to go fast!
Get tickets here!
Plus, be sure to check out the lodging guide for insider tips and exclusive lodging discounts! And don’t forget about Titus Adventure Co., which is offering vehicle pass bundles that include the camper itself! Purchase of a Titus bundle guarantees a vehicle camping pass! It’s the perfect way to experience Telluride – no Sprinter van ownership required!

Learn more at https://www.eventim.us/profile/Planet-Bluegrass/6627120


by Leave a comment

Listen up: ROMP Festival 2026 tickets to increase Jan. 2

ROMP Festival 2026 is an annual bluegrass & roots music celebration set for June 24-27 in Owensboro, Kentucky. Hosted by the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, the festival is renowned for its vibrant community atmosphere, exceptional music lineup, and dedication to preserving the rich legacy of bluegrass music.

And this year’s lineup is impressive! Headliners include I’m With Her, The Punch Brothers, Marty Stuart, Ricky Skaggs, the Del McCoury Band, the Infamous Stringdusters, Rhonda Vincent and more! I personally am super excited to see North Carolina natives Mason Via and Trey Hensley rounding out the lineup.

Ticket prices for ROMP Festival 2026 will increase at 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 2026! If you’ve been thinking about attending the festival next year, it’s the perfect time to secure your spot at the best price. Visit the website for more information at https://www.rompfest.com/


by Leave a comment

WinterWonderGrass 2026 unveils artist lineup for Feb. 27-March 1 festival

Organizers for the WinterWonderGrass Festival have unveiled the lineup for the festival’s return to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, from Feb. 27 to March 1, 2026.

The 13th annual festival will feature performances from 30 celebrated acts, including Americana fusion trio The Devil Makes Three, two-decade progressive bluegrass trailblazers The Infamous Stringdusters and Leftover Salmon, the Colorado-native jam legends and returning festival favorites.

WinterWonderGrass’ stacked bill highlights some of today’s most inventive folk, bluegrass, jamgrass, Americana and roots performers, including Colorado’s own “transcendental folk” troupe Elephant Revival, Nashville-based axeman and company Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, acclaimed singer-songwriter and mandolin master Sierra Hull, among many others. The 2026 artists in residence will be Andy Frasco, AJ Lee, Tyree Woods and Lindsay Lou, the latter of whom also held the role in 2025. 

In keeping with its longtime custom, WinterWonderGrass will return with two core surprise-packed supergroup performances: WinterWonderWomen and Pickin’ On The Dead, led by Dark Star Orchestra’s Rob Eaton. Other standouts booked for the three-day celebration include Mountain Grass Unit, Moontricks, Clay Street Unit and Chaparelle.

For tickets and more information, visit https://winterwondergrass.com.

Important Dates
January 6 – All WinterWonderGrass Prices Increase
January 20 – Grass After Dark On Sale


by Leave a comment

RockyGrass 2025 lineup includes The Infamous Stringdusters, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Sam Bush, Del McCoury Band, Rhonda Vincent, Mason Via, and many more

The 53rd annual RockyGrass Festival 2025 is set for July 25-27. Very limited tickets and camping are still available! Located in Lyons, Colorado, RockyGrass is traditional bluegrass at its finest. Red rock cliffs and ottonwoods peer down over the property as the North St. Vrain River flows through the festival grounds just feet from the main stage.

Buy passes

Volunteers are still needed! Join the awesome community of volunteers! Work three shifts in exchange for your Festival pass. 

Learn more

Continue reading →


by Leave a comment

Lineup announced for Mountain Music Festival 2023 on June 1-3 in New River Gorge, WV

Checkout our initial lineup for Mountain Music Festival 2023 on June 1-3 in New River Gorge, West Virginia, at mountainmusicfest featuring @stringdusters@risingappalachia@sierradawnhull@vincehermanband@caitlinkriskoandthebroadcast@thebringdowns and @chadnickellandtheloosechange.

Three-Day General Admission tickets are still $40 OFF with promo code BLINDFAITH23 thru the end of December. That’s ONLY $129 for 3 DAYS of camping and music at @aceadventureresort. Stay tuned for more lineup announcements.


by Leave a comment

IBMA moves indoors for second time in 10 years in anticipation of Hurricane Ian

In 2015, bands of rain from Hurricane Joachin came down on Raleigh, soaking artists, vendors and attendees of bluegrass music’s biggest week and leaving organizers scrambling to move the International Bluegrass Music Association’s IBMA Bluegrass Live! festivities indoors to the relative comfort of the city’s convention center.

Fast forward seven years and IBMA’s organizers announced today all of the outdoor festivities associated with this week’s IBMA Bluegrass Live! will move indoors, due to expected rain and wind from Hurricane Ian as it approaches the western shores of Florida.

“The music will go on,” said IBMA Executive Director Pat Morris at this afternoon’s IBMA welcome reception celebrating the festival’s 10th year in North Carolina’s capital city. “We have a fantastic week lined up.”

This year, however, will be different than 2015, when the ticketed festival and the free street events were all suddenly forced into the confines of the convention center. What won’t change is several days of bluegrass tunes ringing throughout the facility — some planned in ballrooms and convention rooms, others spontaneously erupting into  jam sessions filling up the facility’s not-so-hidden corners and even in hallways and on staircases.

One major difference will be the ticketed Main Stage performances, originally planned for the outdoor Red Hat Amphitheater adjacent to the convention center, will take the stage in the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts. Reserved seating bought in advance will be honored. Unfortunately, fans hoping for a free general admission ticket to see headliners such as the Infamous Stringdusters, Jerry Douglas and Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway may be out of luck. Organizers are still working out details to try to make some free seating available.

On a positive note, there is still a lot of free entertainment to take in. All previously scheduled performances at the five free Street Stages are moving into the Raleigh Convention Center  along with all 115 vendors including the Art Market, Shop Local and Black Friday Market. Also on tap indoors will be the beer garden, PNC Porch, jam “tents” and other activities planned for this weekend.

Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin said the resiliency of the organizers and the City of Raleigh is similar to that often sung about in bluegrass music as well as the genre itself, which celebrated its 75th anniversary during the height of the pandemic.

“Whether you have been here before or it’s your first time, you are in for great entertainment,” she told the crowd in the RCC ballroom. “We did this in 2015 and it turned out great, and it’s going to be great again.”

Baldwin added she hopes IBMA will return to Raleigh for another 10 years. “The best part of IBMA is you get to be part of this unique experience and community,” she said. “It’s about bringing people together.”For tickets and more information, visit https://worldofbluegrass.org.


by Leave a comment

Women of bluegrass dominate nominations for International Bluegrass Music Awards in Raleigh, N.C, on Sept. 27

After Molly Tuttle’s impressive win at the 2017 International Bluegrass Music (IBMA) Awards as the first female IBMA guitarist, Becky Buller leads the field for the  2018 International Bluegrass Music Awards with eight nominations followed by Tuttle’s six. Close behind with five nominations each are Special Consensus, and The Del McCoury Band/The Travelin’ McCourys, with strong showings by Rhonda Vincent, The Earls of Leicester, Balsam Range, and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver. Results of the balloting will be revealed at the International Bluegrass Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 27, at the Duke Energy Performing Arts Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Continue reading →


by Leave a comment

Listen Up: Live music opportunities abound for Memorial Day 2018

There are numerous live music festivals and venues throughout North Carolina, Virginia and beyond on tap to help you celebrate the official kickoff of summer over the upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend. Following are a few highlights. If I’ve missed one, let me know! Continue reading →


by Leave a comment

Tuck Fest promises a great lineup of free music April 19-22 at USNWC

“Tuck Fest” gets its name from the Tuckaseegee Ford and Trail, a historical landmark located on the property of the U.S. National Whitewater Center (USNWC).

The three-day festival celebrates the outdoor lifestyle through competitions, exhibitions, demos and free live music at the USNWC. The festival features a variety of outdoor sport competitions that include trail running, kayaking, biking, climbing, stand-up paddleboarding, among others

The musical acts include Lettuce, Deer Tick, Shakey Graves, Susto, The Wood Brothers, Grammy-award winning The Infamous Stringdusters and Nikki Bluhm. Continue reading →