Enjoy the Festival but Also Come See All That's New!
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2 • MerleFest • Wilkes Journal-Patriot • April 2015 MerleFest brings special shows by over 120 artists MerleFest is known for four days of spe- Mitchell County with William Ritter and cial musical collaborations and themes on 13 Sarah Ogletree at 1 p.m. and by Wayne different stages and this year is no exception. Henderson and Helen White from 3:30 p.m. Ted Hagaman, festival director, said he’s also particularly pleased with the Tributes to Doc and Merle Saturday combination of artists at MerleFest for the Highlights Saturday include three spe- first time and returning festival favorites. cial tributes to Doc and Merle Watson. “Doc’s Show,” hosted by David Holt with Strong Thursday lineup Carol Rifkin and others, is at 10:30 a.m. One of the newcomers, Asheville-based at the Traditional Stage. Underhill Rose, will lead off on the Watson “Memories of Doc and Merle,” hosted by Stage at 3 p.m. Thursday with a blend of T. Michael Coleman with special guests, Americana, R&B, country and bluegrass, is at noon at the Creekside Stage. just 30 minutes after the festival gates open. “Doc Watson Guitar Tribute,” featuring It consists of Eleanor Underhill, Sally Jack Lawrence, David Holt, T. Michael 1430 Second Street 1838 Winkler Street Williamson and Molly Rose. “Joining the Coleman and others, is at 1:45 p.m. on North Wilkesboro Wilkesboro lineup for Merlefest has been a long-time the Watson Stage. goal of ours,” said Underhill in an inter- The popular Hillside Album Hour, view with the Johnson City Press. hosted by the Waybacks, is on the Hillside The strong first-day Watson Stage lineup Stage at 4 p.m. Joan Osborne and others continues with Scythian (festival favorite, will be featured as music from an entire Welcome particularly among younger fans) at 3 vintage album is performed. The identity p.m., country music star Lee Ann Womack of the album remains a secret until it is (“I Hope You Dance”) at 5:30 p.m. and performed. husband and wife Bela Fleck and Abigal The Avett Brothers perform on the Wat- to MerleFest Washburn, well known to MerleFest fans son Stage at 9:30 p.m. Saturday. but not as a duo, at 7 p.m. The Midnight Jam, hosted by Steel Wheels, Hard driving, progressive bluegrass will starts at midnight in the Walker Center. Enjoy the festival be served that night on the Watson Stage by Hot Rize with Red Knuckles and the On Sunday Trailblazers at 8:30 and by Trampled by Sunday at MerleFest begins with devo- But also come see Turtles at 10:15 p.m. tions from 9:30 to 10 a.m. at the Creekside Original Hot Rize members Tim O’Brien, Stage, led by the Rev. Roy Dobyns, former Pete Wernick and Nick Forster and pastor of Wilkesboro Baptist Church and all that’s new! Grammy-winning guitarist Bryan Sut- now pastor of First Baptist Church of Boone. ton, all familiar names to MerleFest fans, A session on shape note singing, a will be at festival for the first time since strong traditon in rural churches of the reuniting a few months ago. southern Appalachians, is at 9:30 a.m. at COUPON the Traditional Stage. Laura Boosinger Special sets Friday will lead this. Saturday’s lineup includes Del McCoury Headliners on the Watson Stage on Buy one, get one and his band performing new songs with Sunday include Paul Thorn at 12:45 p.m., unheard lyrics from the late Woody Guthrie, Robert Earl Keen at 2:30 p.m. and Dwight at 5:15 p.m. on the Watson Stage. Guthrie’s Yoakam at 4:15 p.m. daughter, Nora Guthrie, chose 30 songs from The Kruger Brothers will team with the FREE over 3,000 in the Woody Guthrie archives to Kontras Quartet to add classical sounds present to McCoury to set to music. to the MerleFest musical offering at 11:15 The Marshall Tucker Band performs a.m. on the Watson Stage. on the Watson Stage immediately after Just to share a few more names, the 120- Any large the Woody Guthrie tribute at 6:45 p.m., plus artists booked for this year’s festival followed by the Sam Bush Band at 8:30 also include the Avett Brothers, Steep p.m. and Jim Lauderdale with the North Canyon Rangers, Nashville Bluegrass sandwich Mississippi Allstars at 10:15 p.m. Band, Donna the Buffalo, Peter Rowan This offer is good for the purchase of one large sandwich and one The day ends with Scythian performing and Wayne Henderson. free sandwich. Please limit one coupon per customer per visit. as the host in the Dance Tent starting at Up and coming artists to listen for Offer excluded $1 menu items. 10:30 p.m. Friday. include Underhill Rose, Jesse and Noah Great old time music will be performed Bellamy, Brandon Whyde and The Devils Offer good through October 31, 2015 Friday on the Traditional Stage by the Keep, Big Sandy and His Fly Rite Boys, Del Sheets Family Band at 10:30 a.m., by Barber and MIPSO. MerleFest • Wilkes Journal-Patriot • April 2015 • 3 Some basics on MerleFest MerleFest 2015, an annual home- coming music celebration held Headed to MerleFest? since 1988, is April 23-26 at Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro. The core missions behind Mer- leFest are to honor the memory Get Geared Up at Cooks! of American music legend Doc Watson, who helped found Mer- leFest, and his son and musical Come check out our store while you’re at MerleFest • We have all your camping supplies! partner, Eddy Merle Watson; to offer the very best in “traditional plus” music; and to raise funds for WCC. The festival is the primary Spring Parking fundraiser for the Wilkes Com- munity College Endowment Corp. Free parking and shuttle ser- vices are provided from the Blue Lot Sale! Lot (Lowe’s Park at River’s Edge), Swing by and enjoy some sunshine, located off N.C. 268 West. The Blue Lot is also an easy half-mile savings, hot dogs and bluegrass! walk to the festival grounds. Saturday only • Huge Savings! Public parking for people with state-issued handicapped parking credentials is at Shuttle Stop H in Up to 75% Off the Blue Lot. Designated shuttles, including wheelchair accessible Friday and Saturday Specials vans, provide transportation to the main festival entrance. All Sandals Four-day reserved seats are in front of the Watson Stage with Buy one, get one half-price (Some exclusions apply) chairs provided and set up. Seat- ing is arranged to meet codes and provide comfort and safety. Fes- All Summer Hats tival policy allows unoccupied 20%-50% Off reserved seats to be used by any- one before 5 p.m. or until owners return. Special wristbands are All White Sierra needed to enter the reserved Outdoor Clothing seating area after 5 p.m. UV protective fabric General admission seating is first-come, first-served at all 30% Off stages. At the Watson Stage, gen- eral admission seating is directly Camping Specials 20% Off behind the reserved seating area. All Camp Stools • All Eureka Chairs Children 12 and younger are Solar Shades and EZ Up Tents admitted for free when with All Hydration Gear a paying adult, except in the (Water bottles, coolers, packs. Excludes Yeti coolers) reserved seating area, where a four-day reserved seating wrist- Get a FREE Hat with purchase of Yeti cooler band is required regardless. All chairs and blankets must If you haven’t visited our store, please come by… You’ll be glad you did! Have a great festival! be removed daily except festival- owned “reserved seats.” On-site, overnight storage is available for free at the Lost & Willow Lane in West Park • North Wilkesboro Found Tent. Children 12 and under get front-of-house seating at the Little Pickers Stage. 667-4121 Tobacco and alcohol products are prohibited at MerleFest. www.cookssports.com 4 • MerleFest • Wilkes Journal-Patriot • April 2015 3 FIRST CITIZENS LN Daniel Hall 1 2 Randolph Hall MerleFest Mall CHRISTIE LN Walker Center 13 Lovette Hall 5 MEADOWVIEW DR. Hayes Hall Flattop’s Getaway R & R Tent 12 MerleFest Thompson Hall Little Pickers Gift Shop Family Area 4 The Shoppes Lowe’s Hall at MerleFest 6 9 11 7 10 Heritage Crafts Legend Alumni Hall COLLEGIATE DR 8 • ATM • Lost & Found 1• Watson Stage 10• Austin Stage CYNTHIA LANE POND RD Cooler/Bag • Autographs • Overnight Storage 2• Cabin Stage 11• Plaza Stage Check • People w/disabilities • Playground 3• Creekside Stage 12• Hillside Stage • Elevators • Raffle/ Silent Auction 4• Little Pickers Stage 13• Walker Center Box Office/ Will Call • Expo • Restroom 5• Americana Stage • Eddy Merle Watson • Security 6• Traditional Stage Shuttle Stop Garden for the Senses Volunteer Check-In • First Aid • WiFi Hotspot 7• Pickin’ Place CAROLINA REALTY LN Access Festival Check-In and RV Lot via Meadowview Drive • Food 8• Dance Stage April 23 - 26, 2015 • Information 9• Mayes Pit Music of MerleFest is presented on 13 different stages 1. Watson Stage, with some of the largest acts and collaborations; 8. Dance Stage, beneath large tent, with everything from clogging to Cajun dances. 2. Cabin Stage, next to the Watson Stage, with some of the best acoustic music; 9. Mayes Pit Learning Stage, with instrument instructional sessions and more; 3. Creekside Stage, under tent near Moravian Creek, a pleasant spot for performances; 10. Chris Austin Stage, with some of the best songwriting and blues music; 4. Little Pickers Family Area, offering activities, games and live music for the young; 11.