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2 • MerleFest • Wilkes Journal-Patriot • April, 2018 Expect diversity, surprises, quality at MerleFest Year after year for three found and Internet access. decades, MerleFest has delivered Mayes Pit in Thompson Hall a four-day experience best sum- and the Dance Stage both fea- marized in two words: uniqueness ture workshops and dance and excellence. instructions. Fans have every reason to The Pickin’ Place provides expect this year’s 31st edition of musicians of all levels and genres MerleFest to live up to its lofty opportunities to meet old friends reputation, along with special and make new ones while sing- onstage surprises. ing and playing favorite tunes “The programming this year is together. incredibly diverse in both musi- Beginners and yogis alike are cal styling, origin, culture and welcome to start their day with gender,” said Steve Johnson, Mer- a little Downward Facing Dog; leFest artist relations manager. a yoga class is offered on Friday “We have artists/bands from at 9:30 a.m. on the Dance Stage. Australia, Canada, France, Ger- Ken Crouse leads nature walks many, United Kingdom, Sweden, through the gardens and forest Ireland, Cuba and the United on the WCC campus on Friday, States on our 2018 lineup…. We Saturday and Sunday. couldn’t be more excited to show- Other activities include back- case that talent on our 13 stages” stage tours and a new interactive spread across the campus of display in the MerleFest Museum. Wilkesboro’s Wilkes Community College. For children MerleFest’s family atmosphere Krugers to Kristofferson and the lack of alcohol and drugs Thursday kicks off with the are important aspects of the Kruger Brothers and follows event’s reputation. with Kris Kristofferson, Robert MerleFest is meant to be a Earl Keen and the Mavericks and fun, educational experience for continues through the weekend children. Kids can learn about with Bela Fleck and Abigail Wash- MERLEFEST MAINSTAYS, left to right, Bela Fleck, Sam Bush and Jerry Douglas, are back this year. roots music through listening burn, Jamey Johnson, Sam Bush, translates to country music star at WCC’s Walker Center starting comed at the end of a long winter,” and are given opportunities to Mandolin Orange, Jerry Douglas Jamey Johnson rubbing shoulders at 10:30 p.m. Saturday and going said Town Mountain banjo picker play music through experiences and Tommy Emmanuel, Rhian- with bluegrass visionary Rhian- well past midnight. Jesse Langlais. like the Instrument Petting Zoo. non Giddens, Alison Brown and non Giddens and folk legend Kris This year’s Midnight Jam fea- “The significance of MerleFest Young musicians are provided the Steep Canyon Rangers with Kristofferson sharing the stage tures a special Doc Watson Trib- is one that cannot be summed up performance opportunities in the Steve Martin, just to name a few. with the Steep Canyon Rangers ute. A separate Midnight Jam in a quote or maybe even a text- Acoustic Kids Showcases, hosted Late night jam sessions, band and Steve Martin. ticket is required and available for book. But if you’ve been, then you by musician Andy May on Friday competitions, special guests As the nation’s largest roots and four-day, three-day and Saturday know how important it is to the and Saturday. onstage, impromptu dance par- Americana festival, MerleFest has ticket holders to purchase. whole acoustic music community The Little Pickers Stage offers ties and one-time-only musical room for all those who treasure The Midnight Jam will also fea- and beyond. There’s nothing that great performances geared collaborations are all a part of the musical tradition. ture Buddy Miller, Frank Solivan feels better than to take part in an toward entertaining kids and their fabric of MerleFest – and a testa- The complete lineup is at www. and Dirty Kitchen, John Cowan, event that celebrates the lives of families. ment to the enduring vision of Doc MerleFest.org/lineup and is also Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz Merle, Doc and Rosa Lee Watson, The Little Pickers Family Area Watson and the Watson family. available on the new and improved of Mandolin Orange, Bryan Sutton true royalty in American music,” is enhanced with crafts, face- A key part of this vision is Doc’s MerleFest mobile app, with festi- and many more artists. added Langlais. painting, games, storytelling, a love of “traditional plus” music, val updates in real time. Updates Town Mountain will also host large grassy play area, and the a term he created to describe a are also on Twitter (@MerleFest) the inaugural Saturday Night Barn In addition to the music opportunity to take pictures with unique mix of music based on the and Facebook. Use hashtag #Mer- Dance starting at 7:45 p.m. on the MerleFest also offers special MerleFest’s official mascot, Flat- traditional, roots-oriented sounds leFest to connect with other festi- Dance Stage. Town Mountain’s activities and unique shopping top the raccoon. of the Appalachian Mountain val goers on social media. music is described as “bluegrass options. Many children, particularly region, including bluegrass and spiced with country, old school The Shoppes at MerleFest is a from Wilkes County, have grown old-time and expanded to include Saturday night rock ‘n’ roll and boogie-woogie.” centrally-located shopping village up among the MerleFest stages Americana, country, blues rock The members of Town Moun- “For most of us, on either side of with demonstrating artisans, ven- and return to the festival with and “whatever other styles we tain and songwriter Jim Lauder- the stage, MerleFest kicks off the dors, convenience foods, official their own kids. were in the mood to play.” dale, all from North Carolina, will beginning of the festival season MerleFest memorabilia and ser- Window World is the presenting This year, “traditional-plus” co-host the popular Midnight Jam and that couldn’t be more wel- vices such as first aid, lost and sponsor of MerleFest 2018. MerleFest • Wilkes Journal-Patriot • April, 2018 • 3 Special musical collaborations help define MerleFest Late night jam sessions, band competitions, special • 10-10:30 a.m. on the Little Pickers Stage, Scyth- • 1:45-2:30 p.m. in Mayes Pit, History of MerleFest guests onstage, impromptu dances and one-time- ian- “Cake For Breakfast” Kids CD Release Party with “B” Townes; only musical collaborations are part of the fabric of with special appearance by Flattop; • 2-2:45 p.m. in the Walker Center, Docabilly Blues MerleFest – and a testament to the enduring vision • 12:30-1:15 p.m. in the Walker Center, MerleFest Blowout with Mitch Greenhill and Friends featuring of Doc Watson and the Watson family. Memories hosted by Jeff Little with Bob Hill, Tara T. Michael Coleman, David Holt, Jeff Little, Rosie & A key part of this vision is Doc’s love of “traditional Nevins, Jack Lawrence, T. Michael Coleman, David the Riveters, Donna the Buffalo, Joel Landsberg and plus” music, a term he created to describe a unique Holt, Mitch Greenhill, Wayne Henderson, “B” Townes Jim Lauderdale; mix of music based on the traditional, roots-oriented and Cliff Miller; • 2-2:45 p.m. on Creekside Stage, Mando Mania sounds of the Appalachian Mountain region, includ- • 1:15-2:15 p.m. on the Creekside Stage, Pete Wer- with Sam Bush, Tony Williamson, Andrew Marlin ing bluegrass and old-time and expanded to include nick’s Flexigrass Jam with David Holt, Rob Ickes & (Mandolin Orange), Bob Applebaum (String Madness), Americana, country, blues rock and “whatever other Trey Hensley, The Lonely Heartstring Band, Rosie & Stephen Mougin (Sam Bush Band), Tommy Norris styles we were in the mood to play.” the Riveters, Presley Barker and other special guests; (Barefoot Movement) and Andrew Collins (Andrew This year, this spirit means that country music star • 4-4:45 p.m. on the Hillside Stage, Donna the Buf- Collins Trio); Jamey Johnson will rub shoulders with bluegrass falo with Peter Rowan and Friends; • 3-3:45 p.m. on the Hillside Stage, Reunion Jam visionary Rhiannon Giddens, folk legend Kris Kristof- • 5:15-6 p.m. in Mayes Pit, Stories About Travel- with Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Bela Fleck, Bryan ferson will play the same stage as the Steep Canyon ing with Doc and Merle. Hosted by Joe Smothers, Sutton, John Cowan and other special guests; Rangers and Steve Martin. David Holt, T. Michael Coleman, Bob Hill and Jack • 4:15-5:45 p.m. on the Hillside Stage, Hillside Some of the planned collaborations and perfor- Lawrence; Album Hour with The Waybacks; mance highlights at this year’s festival include: • 6:30-7:45 p.m. on the Hillside Stage, Friday Eve- • 6:30-7:45 p.m. on the Hillside Stage, Saturday ning Sunset Sessions: The Devil Makes Three. Evening Sunset Sessions: Elephant Revival. Friday • 9:30 a.m. to -1:45 p.m. on the Austin Stage, Doc Saturday Sunday and Merle Watson Performing Arts Showcase, • noon to 1:30 p.m. on the Creekside Stage, Memo- • 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on the Traditional Stage, hosted by Joe Smothers and Joe Kendrick and ries of The Watson Family, hosted by T. Michael Women Who Sing and Play Traditional Music with featuring Lillian Chase, Hubby Jenkins, Gunner Coleman with Watson Family Friends; Carol Rifkin, Jeanette Queen, The BattleAxe Band, & Smith, Bob Hill, Sarah Jane Scouten, Steve and • 11 a.m. to noon on the Watson Stage, MerleFest Sarah McCombie, Kim McWhirter and Sarah Ritter; Ruth Smith, Tennessee Jed Fisher and Mike Aiken Veterans Jam with Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Jack • 4-5:30 p.m. on the Watson Stage, Steep Canyon Band; Lawrence, Peter Rowan and Joe Smothers; Rangers and Friends with special guest Steve Martin.