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2 • MerleFest • Wilkes Journal-Patriot • April 2014 MerleFest offering even more this year MerleFest is always a great value with Creekside Stage, including “Memories of many of the top artists in multiple musical Doc and Merle” with T. Michael Coleman, genres, but this year it has even more. David Holt, , , Rich- MerleFest 2014 has more performers than ard Watson and others; ever - over 130 appearing on 13 different • Dr. with stages during the course of the four-day and on the Watson Stage festival (April 24-27) at Wilkes Community Saturday; College in Wilkesboro. • and Larry and Jenny There are also more special collabora- Keel on Saturday on the Hillside Stage; tions of artists planned this year, not to • Keller Williams on the Watson Stage mention the ones that occur spontaneously. Friday night with the Travelin’ McCourys; The MerleFest Midnight Jam in the Walker • will again host the Hill - Center on Saturday night of the festival isn’t side Hour on Saturday. Every year, new, but it’s always the festival’s biggest a revered or iconic album is performed (but melting pot of talent. not announced in advance) from start to Participants in this year’s Jam, hosted finish. Many surprise guests will join in again by Scythian, include Keller Williams, the performance. Nora Jane Struthers and the Party Line, Other highlights, day by day, include: Peter Rowan, Frank Solivan and Dirty • Thursday, performances by the Carolina Kitchen, , Della Mae, Chocolate Drops, Holly Williams, Scyth- 1430 Second Street 1838 Winkler Street Moore Brothers, Steel Wheels, Donna the ian, The Duhks, and Ramblers North Wilkesboro Wilkesboro Buffalo, I Draw Slow, Waybacks, Pete and Choice, Josh Farrow and others. Friday Joan Wernick, the Deadly Gentlemen, Jim afternoon, participants in ’s Lauderdale, SC Broadcasters, MerleFest Bluegrass Jam Camp will perform Orange, Mark Newton and Steve Thomas on the Cabin Stage. Legendary player and Town Mountain. will kick off performances at the Welcome A separate ticket is required for the Mid- Plaza Stage at 2:30 p.m., and the Opening night Jam and can be purchased by four- Night Dance with The Duhks will take place day ticket holders and Saturday-only ticket starting at 10 p.m. at the Dance Stage. holders. • Friday, performances by Old Crow to MerleFest Other collaborations and special features Medicine Show, Keller Williams and the planned ths year include: Travelin’ McCourys, Tim O’Brien and Dar- • country star ’s Thursday rell Scott, , Lonesome River Enjoy the festival night performance of his recent all-blue- Band, Peter Rowan Band, Sutton, Holt & grass album, featuring heavy hitters in the Coleman, and The New Hip, bluegrass world; , Donna the Buffalo, The Steel COUPON • “BanjoRama” on Friday on the Watson Wheels and others. Stage, hosted by Pete Wernick and featuring • Saturday, performances by Dr. Ralph Jens Kruger, , , Stanley, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thun- Buy one, get one Mark Johnson, Jim Mills, Rob McCoury, der, Steep Canyon Rangers, Sam Bush Band, , Ned Luberecki and Gra- Town Mountain, Alison Brown Quartet, ham Sharp. “BanjoRama, Part Two” on the Peter Rowan, The Steel Wheels, Della Mae, Creekside Stage Saturday afternoon; Claire Lynch Band, Nora Jane Struthers and • culmination of the Chris Austin Song- the Party Line, Frank Solivan and Dirty FREE writing Contest on Friday. After contest Kitchen, Niall Toner Band and others. chairman Jim Lauderdale announces the • Sunday opens with the “Spirit of Sunday” winners, the songwriters perform the win- with the and Avett Any large ning entries on the Cabin Stage at 9:30 p.m. Family Gospel Hour at Creekside Stage. • Doc and Performing Arts Sunday also features performances by Merle Showcase, hosted by Joe Smothers and Bob Haggard, Dailey & Vincent with Jimmy For- sandwich Hill, is Friday on the Austin Stage. This will tune, , Deadly Gentlemen, be a diverse sampling of local and regional Claire Lynch Band, Jim Lauderdale, Mando- This offer is good for the purchase of one large sandwich and one talent in a more intimate setting; lin Orange, Donna the Buffalo, Overmoun- free sandwich. Please limit one coupon per customer per visit. • Steep Canyon Rangers with several tain Men and more. A set Sunday Offer excluded $1 menu items. “special guests” as part of a Saturday night afternoon has , Richard Offer good through October 31, 2014 set on the Watson Stage; Watson,Mitchell Greenhill, Del Rey, Rory • several special events Saturday at the Block, Eleanor Ellis and Charles Welch. MerleFest • Wilkes Journal-Patriot • April 2014 • 3 Some basics on MerleFest The core mission of MerleFest is to honor the memory of music legend and MerleFest co-founder MerleFest Bound? and his son, musician Eddy Merle Watson; offer the best in “traditional plus” music and raise funds for Wilkes Community Get Geared Up at Cooks! College (WCC). The festival is the primary fundraiser for the WCC Endowment Corporation. Come check out our store while you’re at MerleFest! A few basics about the festival follow, but for full details on tick- We have sandals… ets, rules, programming and more Chaco • Keen • Teva • Sanuk • Merrell and more go to http://www.merlefest.org. • Gates open on MerleFest’s first day at 2:30 p.m. and on the next We have hats… three days at 9 a.m.; Tilley • Western Hats • Shady Brady • Tula and more • Free parking and shuttle ser- vices are provided from the Blue Lot, located off N.C. 268 West We have Western wear… about a half-mile from the festi- Ryan Michael shirts • Double D Ranchwear and much more val grounds. • Four-day reserved seats are in front of the Watson Stage with We have Life is Good chairs provided and set up in advance. Unoccupied reserved apparel and hats… seats may be used by anyone before 5 p.m. or until owners return. Spe- We have camping supplies… cial wristbands are required for We have The North Face • Mountain Hardwear admission or re-admission to the reserved seating area after 5 p.m. backpacks • tents • General admission seating is on a first-come, first-served basis at We have rain gear… all stages. At the Watson Stage, gen- The North Face • Mountain Hardwear • Columbia eral admission seating is located directly behind the reserved seat- ing area. Children 12 and younger We have Western boots… are admitted free when accompa- Old Gringo • Ariat • Corral nied by a paying adult, except in the reserved seating area where a four-day reserved seating wrist- We have great band is required. • The Shoppes at MerleFest Smartwool socks… includes the MerleFest Gift Shop with official MerleFest memora- bilia, commercial vendors, heritage Visit us online at crafts demonstrations, first aid, www.cookssports.com overnight storage/lost & found, Internet access and more. www.escapetheordinary.biz • In the Watson Stage area are two large food tents operated by If you haven’t visited our store, please come by… You’ll be glad you did! Have a great festival! and benefiting nonprofit organiza- tions. They offer entrees, desserts and drinks. Snacks and other food are elsewhere at the event. Willow Lane • The Pickin’ Place is an area in West Park for musicians of all levels and North Wilkesboro genres play their instruments. It’s between the Traditional Stage and the Dance Stage. 667-4121 4 • MerleFest • Wilkes Journal-Patriot • April 2014

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 24-27, 2014

• Information 9• Mayes Pit ©2014 by Lowe’s. All rights reserved. Lowe’s and The gable design are registered trademarks of LF, LCC. and The gable design are registered trademarks of LF, All rights reserved. Lowe’s ©2014 by Lowe’s. Music of MerleFest (and more) featured on 13 stages The stages of MerleFest are: featuring traditional music at its best; spot for performances; venue. Home of the Midnight Jam; • Watson Stage, with some of the largest • Dance Stage, beneath a large tent, with • Little Pickers Family Area, offering • Americana Stage, offering a relaxed acts and collaborations; everything from clogging to Cajun dances, activities, games and live music for the venue on the lawn near the Visitors Center; • Cabin Stage, next to the Watson Stage, Friday, Saturday and Sunday; young and the young at heart; • Lounge, with , , and mando- with some of the best ; • Chris Austin Stage, with some of the • Hillside Stage, with MerleFest artists lin contests and songwriter’s coffee house, • Mayes Pit Learning Stage, with instru- best songwriting and blues music; up close and jammin’. It’s the scene of some workshops and special performances. ment instructional sessions and more; • Creekside Stage, under a tent near very memorable and lively performances; • Pickin’ Place, an area for music fans • Traditional Stage, beneath large tent, Moravian Creek, a particularly pleasant • Walker Center, providing an indoor and musicians to pick and sing together.

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In 1953, Doc got a job playing in a local Watson went on to profoundly influence guitarists world- country band and traded his Martin for a . wide, including , while living his life as a testi- The group often lacked a fiddler and Watson taught himself mony to high Christian character. tunes on the electric instrument, in addition to the Despite his death on May 29, 2012, at age 89, Watson’s popular finger-style music of and . musical influence and his positive ambassadorship for the Smithsonian Institute folklorist is credited southern Appalachians continues. with “discovering” Watson in 1960 at the fiddler’s conven- MerleFest helps insure that the legacies of Doc Watson tion in Union Grove. and his wife, the late Rosa Lee Watson, and their son, the Merle joined Doc in 1964 as a rhythm guitarist and eased late Merle Watson, will remain a vibrant and positive force most of the burdens of the road from his father’s shoulders. - particularly in northwest . Doc and Merle made about 20 together and won two Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson was born in Deep Gap. His Grammys. In the mid-1980s, Merle was killed in a tractor father, General Dixon Watson, was a farmer and day laborer accident. Although broken-hearted by the loss, Doc said Richard Watson who led the singing at church. His mother, Annie, sang Merle told him in a dream to press on with the music. He old-time while doing household chores and at night did this and also helped start MerleFest in Merle’s memory. Arthel “Doc” Watson sang the children to sleep. Doc is revered primarily for his and finger- Left blind by an eye infection as an infant, Doc had a picking styles, as well as his unique voice. He received few years of formal schooling at the Raleigh School for the seven Grammy awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Blind. He was 5 or 6 when he received his first Award, and was inducted into the International Bluegrass and 11 when his father made him a fretless banjo. After he Music Hall of Fame in 2000. taught himself the ’s “When the Roses Bloom Rosa Lee Watson died six months after the death of her in ,” Doc’s father bought him a $12 Stella guitar, husband. She was 81. The couple sometimes performed and soon he was learning the rythym chords. He learned together and co-wrote “Your Long Journey,” featured on the to flat pick and then the picking style of Jimmie Rodgers. Grammy Award-winning album “” by Robert After his marriage in 1947 to Rosa Lee Carlton, a neigh- Plant and . bor and daughter of fiddler Gaither Carlton, when he was Their grandson, Richard Watson, performs at MerleFest. Merle Watson Rosa Lee Watson Historic Downtown Wilkesboro Wilkes Heritage We rebuild We buy Museum ANNATIQUES OF WILKESBORO, LLC drill old Presents batteries! Anna K. Holland, Owner batteries! 7th Annual 209A East Main Street Blue Ridge Music Wilkesboro, NC 28697 Hall of Fame Phone: 828.773.8811 Saturday, June 14 or fi nd us on at www.annatiques.com Dinner and Induction Ceremony at Thursday & Friday 10 am-5 pm 127 West Main St. Stone Center for Performing Arts Saturday 9-1 Wilkesboro, NC 28697 Shop: 336-667-7956 613 Cherry Street • North Wilkesboro Email: [email protected] Doors Open 6 PM • Dinner 6:30 PM • Ceremony 7:15 PM Tickets 336-667-3171 or wilkesheritagemuseum.com $35 2014 Inductees: • • Jeff Little • Wayne Henderson Festival • Shop Wilkesboro • Green Grass Cloggers • Ward Eller-Dr. Bryan Award •Dock Walsh and the Carolina Tar Heels Performances by: Downtown Merchants Jeff Little • John Doubler • Wayne Henderson • David Johnson • Green Grass Cloggers • Eric Ellis •Ward Eller • Scott Gentry • Elkville While Enjoying •Scott Freeman 104 Broad Street • Wilkesboro Sponsors: Town of Wilkesboro, Brame Huie Pharmacy, Wilkes Income Tax, A-1 Self Storage, Wilkes Regional Medical Center, Mike’s Body www.thevintagehomestudio.com Shop, The Law Offi ces of Timothy Welborn, Jim and Rose Andrews, Tom and Ann Graves, Facebook.com/thevintagehomestudio MerleFest 2014 Wilkes Steel, Johnson Oil, Kirk Gunton, Wilkes Veterinary Hospital, Holly Mtn. Enter- prises, BB&T, Brushy Mountain Water Co., Communities In Schools, Pennhart Designs. MerleFest • Wilkes Journal-Patriot • April 2014 • 7 Over 130 artists lined up for MerleFest ‘14 Susana and Timmy Abell U.S. and United Kingdom. She nee two years in a row and the a welder, served in the Navy, F, Sa, Su has recorded several albums of Society for the Preservation of raised three children with his Susana and Timmy Abell ballads, songs and stories. She nominated them wife. In 2008, he released, “Jim of Asheville blend music with received the National Endow- for gospel group, album and song Avett and Family,” a collection storytelling, puppetry and ment for the Arts 2013 Heritage of the year. of gospel songs recorded with poetry, including Timmy’s fun Fellowship Award. daughter Bonnie and sons Scott and thoughtful songs for young Amanda and Scott Anderson and Seth of . people. “Growing up in western Alberti Flea Circus F, Sa He recorded “Tribes” in 2010 and North Carolina, Doc Watson was F, Sa, Su Amanda Anderson and her dad, “Second Chance” in 2012. a constant inspiration. We hope Part magician, part storyteller, Scott Anderson, have performed to inspire the coming generations part comedian and all enter- together regularly since 2008, BackPorch Bluegrass with that same appreciation of tainer, Jim Alberti of Winston- with Amanda handling most T our folk traditions.” Susana has Salem is a third-generation flea lead vocals and fiddle lines and Wilkes County-based Back- Darin and Brooke Aldridge experience as a puppeteer and circus impresario. Alberti took swampgrass master Scott adding Porch Bluegxrass plays tradi- circus performer. the revived flea circus on the road harmony and lead vocals, guitar tional, hard-driving bluegrass. Bailey Mountain Cloggers in the 1980s, and since then he and banjo. With mandolinist and David Culler (vocals/guitar), Sa Sheila Kay Adams and his talented troupe of fleas vocalist Lamont Goff and bass- leader and founder of the group, Mars Hill College students F, Sa, Su ist Danny Smith, plays have captivated audiences at is the only original member. He is organized the Bailey Mountain A seventh-generation Americana, bluegrass, country fairs, festivals and theme parks is joined by banjoist Tony Joines. Cloggers in 1974. The group singer, storyteller and musician, across the and and folk. began dancing competitively in Wes Tuttle plays mandolin and Sheila Kay Adams was born and Canada. the 1980s and added big raised in Madison County. She Jim Avett fiddle and provides lead and tenor smooth, freestyle, country hoe- learned to sing from her great- Darin and Brooke Aldridge Su harmony. Jim Matthews plays down, Kentucky running set, aunt and is an accomplished T, Sa The son of a Methodist upright bass, provides lead and line dance, show and percus- banjo player and The International Bluegrass preacher and a concert pianist, smooth baritone harmony and sive dance styles. Members are storyteller. Ms. Adams has per- Music Association nominated Jim Avett has been singing and sometimes plays fiddle, mandolin from various dance traditions formed at festivals, events, music Darin and Brooke Aldridge for playing guitar for most of his and guitar. Jacob Joines some- camps and workshops around the Emerging Artist of the Year nomi- life. He also built a business as times plays dobro. Continued on Page 8 Historic Downtown Wilkesboro Monday-Friday 8:30 to 5:30 Saturday Waggles Pet 8:30 to Noon Supply & Dog Wash LLC Specialty Pet Food, Travel and Accessories and Fun Outdoor Fun Do-It-Yourself Tubs to Accessories Wash Your Dogs! 201 West Main Street • Wilkesboro, N.C. 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1988. Young was a retired banker known instrumentalist. His enthusiasm for tra- Artists for Chet Atkins-style of guitar playing. ditional music and old-time instruments continued from Page 7 like the washboard, spoons and kazoo is Glenn Bannerman surpassed only by his desire to entertain, and ethnic and religious backgrounds. F Sa, Su involve and share these. He is joined on They serve as goodwill ambassadors for Glenn Bannerman of Banner Elk is stage by his wife, vocalist and rub board Mars Hill and folk dance traditions of the known nationwide as a dance caller, player, Michele Barfield, to present Buf- Southern mountains. teacher and leader. After 20 years as a pro- falo Barfield’s “Washboard Workshop & Balsam Range fessor of recreation and outdoor education Jam.” Balsam Range at the Presbyterian School of Christian F Education in Richmond, Va., Bannerman Terry Baucom Balsam Range is named for mountains retired in 1989 and formed the Bannerman Sa, Su near the homes of this bluegrass band in Family Celebration Services, a recreation, Terry Baucom has been influential in Haywood County. Band members are Tim folk dance and worship resource. bluegrass since the 1970s. As a founding Surrett, emcee, and lead member of bands like Boone Creek, Doyle Banknotes and harmony voice; Buddy Melton, fiddle Barefoot Movement Lawson & Quicksilver and IIIrd Tyme Out, and tenor voice; Caleb Smith, guitar and F Barcum is called the “Duke of Drive.” The blacksmith, Riley played with old-time vocals; Darren Nicholson, mandolin and Barefoot Movement from Johnson influence of his banjo style is heard in play- bands. His “Life Of Riley” showcases his harmony vocals; and Marc Pruett, three- City released “Footwork” in 2011 and ers who came up in the ‘80s and ‘90s. His banjo and voice. He provided singing and finger style banjo. The band won IBMA “Figures of the Year” in 2013. The band latest release is “Never Thought of Look- instrumentals for “Cold Mountain.” Album of the Year Award for “Papertown.” recently went on a West Coast tour, from ing Back.” The single, “What’ll I Do” with Denver to to Vancouver. Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Buddy Melton, and Grasstowne Banknotes The Barefoot sound is described as lush Steve Bryant and was named Su T harmonies, thoughtful instrumentation IBMA 2013 “Recorded Event of the Year.” Grasstowne is comprised of a bluegrass Wilkes County musicians who were and memorable melodies. Tommy Nor- veteran and three young musicians. Their friends with MerleFest co-founder Bill ris, Noah Wall, Hasee Ciaccio and Alex Riley Baugus first three projects “The Road Headin’ Young, who died in 1992, formed the Conerly form Barefoot Movement. Sa, Su Home,” “The Other Side of Towne” and Banknotes. They include R.G. Absher, Riley Baugus of Winston-Salem rep- “Kickin Up Dust” rose to No. 1, No. 2 and Randy Gambill, Billy Gee, Tony Joines, Gregg “Buffalo” Barfield resents the best of old-time American No. 2, respectively, on the National Bluegrass Mike Palmer, Jeff Pardue, Donnie Story F, Sa, Su banjo and song. He grew up listening to Charts. Alan Bibey is a founding member of and Wes Tuttle. The members have been Gregg “Buffalo” Barfield of Pendleton, his father’s old-time music, including Doc involved in MerleFest since it began in S.C., is a singer, songwriter and multi- Watson. While working as a welder and Continued on Page 9 Composite Decking This material is normally priced at least ONLY 30% more than treated $1.00-$1.95 Welcome MerleFest Fans wood, with our pricing lin. ft. it makes it affordable to Come see us for the best prices on your have a composite deck food, drink, water and camping needs at a treated deck price! 1801 U. S. Highway 421 West • Wilkesboro Large Volume Discounts Available Close Out pricing!… we are selling off our remaining inventory of new composite decking. It looks Welcome to Wilkesboro great with a nice, wood grain texture and is very economical, yet extremely durable. Entire inventory is factory banded, covered, and palletized for easy pickup with your truck at our North Wilkesboro MerleFest 2014 warehouse. Available in three great colors, with matching trim also available for each color! Musicians and Fans 336-902-1516 Th e Town of Wilkesboro 336-984-6004 (cell) Just arrived from West Coast www.WilkesboroNC.org High End Redwood Decking MerleFest • Wilkes Journal-Patriot • April 2014 • 9

University students. Focusing on Sa, Su when she joined Alison Krauss in Artists bluegrass and bluegrass gospel, it Laura Boosinger of Asheville Union Station in 1989. Alison was continued from Page 8 plays original material with tradi- is an award-winning performer named IBMA’s Banjo Player of the tional and contemporary bluegrass and recording artist who focuses Year in 1991. Her quartet includes The New Quicksilver, IIIrd Tyme sounds. Members are: Laura Ford mostly on traditional music from John R. Burr on /keyboards, Out and BlueRidge. Other mem- (vocals, mandolin, bass), Isaac the Southern Appalachians. Garry West on bass and Kendrick bers are Justin Jenkins on banjo, Mainer (vocals, banjo, bass, gui- Through an introduction to tra- Freeman on drums. Kameron Keller and vocalist and tar), Amanda Broadwater (vocals, ditional instruments and regional instrumentalist Blake Johnson. fiddle, Dobro), Kevin Zollinger vocal styles, she invites audiences Jeff Brown & Still Lonesome (vocals, guitar, banjo, bass), Aaron to participate in the richness of the T Rory Block Foster (guitar, vocals), Travis region’s musical heritage. Jeff Brown began playing at F, Sa, Su Houck (vocals, Dobro) and Emily age 9 and in 1993 went to work for Rory Block committed her life Willis (vocals, guitar, mandolin). Fiona Boyes Larry Sparks as bass player and and her career to preserving the F, Sa, Su tenor singer. He was a Lonesome tradition and bringing Roy Book Binder Fiona Boyes is a distinctive Rambler from 1993 to 1996 and Glenn Bannerman Terry Baucom it to life for 21st century audiences Sa, Su blues guitarist, singer and song- performed on the , Roy Book Binder of New York writer. She has a soulful, authori- around the world. A traditionalist “Austin City Limits” and “Song of and innovator, she wields a fiery City is a blues guitar entertainer. tative style that has earned her the Mountains.” He once played and haunting guitar and vocal Equally at home with blues and unprecedented recognition as an style that redefines boundaries of , “Book” shifts from open Australian artist. She received bass for and June acoustic blues and folk. She’s at tunings to slide arrangements to three successive USA Blues Music Carter Cash. Other members of the height of her creative powers, original compositions with tra- Awards nominations for her elec- Still Lonesome are Austin Brown, bringing a world full of life lessons ditional and self-styled licks. His tric and acoustic playing. Fiona’s a 15-year-old on guitar and bass; to bear on what she calls “a total storytelling emphasis makes his latest release is “Blues for Hard Meredith Goins, who performed celebration of my beloved instru- style unique. Described as a gui- Times.” on the Grand Ole Opry with ment and best friend, the guitar.” tar pickin’ hillbilly bluesman, he in 2003; Josh shared the stage with , Alison Brown Quartet Blankenship, mandolin player, Blue Edition B.B. King, John Jackson, Sonny F, Sa songwriter and vocalist and Josh Su Terry, Doc Watson, Alison Brown is a Harvard grad- Underwood, banjo player, song- Blue Edition is a bluegrass and Brownie McGhee. uate, record label co-founder and writer and vocalist. band comprised of current and owner, mother, and banjo virtuoso. graduated East State Laura Boosinger She came to national prominence Continued on Page 10 Barefoot Movement Going To MerleFest . . . Opening Early --- Closing Late Come by for a drink on the porch . . . enjoy a nice relaxing dinner after the festival! From steak and potatoes to fresh spins on salad -- we have a variety of delicious menu options to satisfy every appetite!

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also a three-time national junior percussion), Hubby Jenkins (gui- T. Michael Coleman Artists fiddle champion and Grammy tar) and Leyla McCalla (cello, F, Sa continued from Page 9 Award-winning vocalist. “In the vocals, banjo). With Flemons T. Michael Coleman of Mayo- acoustic world, I’ve been pretty and McCalla doing solo work, the dan grew up playing baseball and Mark Bumgarner lucky to play with almost every group’s 2014 lineup features two singing in church. He developed an Sa one of my heroes. I’ve gotten to new players alongside Giddens appreciation of folk music while Mark Bumgarner’s musical play with , Doc Wat- and Jenkins – cellist Malcolm at Appalachian State University style is a blend of roots country, son and ; I’ve been Parson and multi-instrumentalist and soon began playing and tour- bluegrass and hillbilly blues. He’s to the mountain,” says Bush with a Rowan Corbett. ing with Doc and Merle Watson. a son of the South, but with many smile. “As long as I’m alive I hope I The three toured the world and musical influences. His three self- have the ability to play,” says Bush, Nick Chandler and Delivered participated in many Grammy produced album projects show a two-time cancer treatment sur- S nominated and Grammy awarded Rory Block his versatility as a recording art- vivor. ” Nick Chandler of Marshall recordings. Coleman later per- ist, and talent as began playing the mandolin at formed and recorded with Seldom a songwriter. Carolina Blue age 9. He was in Asheville Grass Scene in Washington, D.C., along F and is a founding member of Sil - with producing and recording vari- Buncombe Turnpike Carolina Blue is a powerful blue- vercreek. He has recorded with ous music projects for Doc Watson F, Sa grass band from western North fiddler , and and others.. Asheville-based Buncombe Carolina. The band, formed in 2007, Jimmy Fortune. Joining Chandler Dailey & Vincent Turnpike is a staple in the west- consists of Bobby Powell (guitar), in Delivered are Kevin Tuck of ern North Carolina bluegrass Tim Jones (mandolin), Don Austin featuring Jimmy Fortune Bryson City on guitar and vocals, S scene. The band has grown from (banjo), Reese Combs (bass fiddle) Nick Dephaunais, originally from Award winning Dailey & Vin- Book Binder Boosinger its original four-piece lineup 15 and Branson Raines (fiddle). In Enfield, N.H., and Seth Rhinehart years ago to a quintet featuring 2011, Carolina Blue won the South cent and Statler Brothers member Seth Rhinehart (banjo), Tom Jimmy Fortune join forces to pro- Carolina Bluegrass Band Champi- The Cockman Family Godleski (lead vocals, upright onship and The Classic, vide audiences with a unique show. F, Sa bass), Evan Swink (guitar, tenor over other bands from across the Dailey & Vincent is the top touring Since launching a career in 1988, vocals), Joe Trimbach (mando- country. Carolina Blue has released American bluegrass act. Jimmy the Cockman Family has become lin, baritone vocals) and John two CDs, “Nothing So Blue” and Fortune is a premier American known for classic family harmo- Duncan (fiddle). The band plays “Carolina Blue Live at RenoFest.” vocalist, musician traditional and contemporary nies, bluegrass gospel style and and songwriter. This “quartet style bluegrass and gospel, but mostly Carolina Chocolate Drops original songs and arrangements show” features the rich blend of Buncombe Turnpike originals. T of old gospel songs. The Cockman vocals performed by Jamie Dailey, The Carolina Chocolate Drops Family is an N.C. Council of the Darrin Vincent, Jimmy Fortune and Sam Bush Band got their start in 2005 when every Arts Touring Artist Group and Christian Davis. Sa Thursday night they traveled to received the 2011 N.C. Community Grammy Award-winning multi- sit in the home of old-time fiddler Traditions Award from the N.C. Lynda Dawson Alison Brown Quartet instrumentalist Sam Bush has Joe Thompson for a musical jam. Folklore Society. USA Today Week- & Pattie Hopkins been honored with the lifetime Thompson, in his 80s, was a black end and American Greetings Cards F, Sa Songwriting guitarist Lynda achievement award from Ameri- fiddler with a short bowing style named the Cockman Family one Dawson and fiddler Pattie Hopkins cana Music Association and the that he inherited from generations of The 12 Most Creative Families step out of the Kickin Grass Band International Bluegrass Music of musicians. He passed it on to a in America. Lead singer Caroline to lay down intricately crafted Association. Bush, 57, has helped new generation. In early 2012, the Fisher was awarded the 2011 Song duets. With guitar instrumentation to expand the horizons of blue- Grammy Award-winning Carolina Writer of the Year Award from Pow- topped with soulful fiddling, their grass music, fusing it with , Chocolate Drops released “Leav- erGrass Internet Radio. In 2012, natural blend of sweet harmonies rock, blues, funk and other styles. ing Eden,” featuring Rhiannon Ben Cockman won guitar flat pick makes you feel like you’ve been And though Bush is best known Giddens (lead singer, banjo), Dom championships at MerleFest and Lynda Dawson for skills on the mandolin, he is Flemons (banjo, guitar, harmonica, elsewhere. Continued on Page 11 & Pattie Hopkins •Beautiful Rooms • Free Breakfast •Highspeed Internet • Pet Friendly Official Sponsor MerleFest 2014 www.Addisoninn.com Wilkesboro, NC 336-838-1000 800-672-7218 MerleFest • Wilkes Journal-Patriot • April 2014 • 11 The group is a who’s-who of promising young pickers: lead Della Mae singer Celia Woodsmith, guitarist Courtney Hartman, bass Sa player Shelby Means, mandonlinist Jenni Lyn Gardner and Della Mae of , Mass., proves the endless possibili- Continued on Page 12 ties found in the marriage of fiddle, fretboard and voice.

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Offer valid April 14 – May 10, 2014. Dailey & Vincent with Jimmy Fortune Mark Bumgarner Artists continued from Page 10 Bringing multiple performances together with innovative invited into the living room of a best-kept-secret musical technologies to deliver the total performance house party. Expect to hear compelling original songs, all drivers need — that’s MICHELIN® Total Performance™. traditional tunes and Appalachian duet Learn more at michelinman.com. standards inspired by the likes of Hazel and Alice or the Monroe brothers. This is genuinely beautiful and honest * Reward Card eligibility is limited to tire purchases from participating dealers only. roots music. See redemption form for complete offer details. Offer expires 5/10/14. Void where prohibited. The Reward Card cannot be reloaded with additional funds, nor can it be used at an ATM. Reward Card expires 6 months after issuance. For complete terms, conditions and fees, see The Deadly Gentlemen the Cardholder Agreement in your card package. Reward Cards are issued by U.S. Bank, pursuant to a license from MasterCard International Sa, Su Incorporated. MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCard International Incorporated. The Deadly Gentlemen consists of Greg Liszt on banjo, Copyright © 2014 Michelin North America, Inc. All rights reserved. The Michelin Man is a registered trademark owned by Michelin North America, Inc. Mike Barnett on fiddle, Sam Grisman on bass, Dominick Leslie on mandolin and Stash Wyslouch on guitar. Liszt’s innovative four-finger picking technique helped him to win MYERS TIRE SERVICE INC. a place in ’s live band. Barnett toured with Jesse McReynolds, excelled as a jazz violinist and has performed with the Quintet and the Tony Three convenient locations to serve you Trischka Band. Grisman has played professionally since 400 E. Main Street Highway 16 North Highway 18 North his teens and combines traditional and modern elements. Wilkesboro Millers Creek North Wilkesboro Leslie is known for live appearances with the Infamous Stringdusters and the Grant Gordy Quartet. 838-0011 667-1931 667-9338 12 • MerleFest • Wilkes Journal-Patriot • April 2014

Latin-influenced percussion as well as Artists often Celtic- and Cajun-influenced fiddle- continued from Page 11 playing. Appalachian-influenced claw- hammer banjo player Leonard Podolak two-time National Fiddle Champion Kimber founded The Duhks in 2002. He is joined Ludiker are all seasoned performers who by singer Jessee Havey, fiddler Tania have won countless contests and shared the Elizabeth and Celtic-influenced guitarist stage with , Del McCoury, Leon Jordan McConnell. The name “Duhks” is The Duhks Russell and . Their 2011 release, from Scruj MacDuhk, Podolak’s defunct Della Mae “I Built This Heart,” was an impressive debut, previous band. a delicate balance between bluegrass grit and singer-songwriter sensitivity. With a Eleanor Ellis new album in the works–produced by Bryan F, Sa, Su Sutton and their first label release–it’s clear A versatile fingerpicking blues guitarist that Della Mae is just getting started. and singer, and Louisiana native Eleanor Ellis has performed throughout the U.S., Donna the Buffalo Canada and Europe. She traveled and Donna The Buffalo F, Sa, Su played with the late gospel street singer Carolina Chocolate Drops Donna the Buffalo’s feel-good, groove- Flora Molton, was a regular at the Satur- Championship. She has performed on “A oriented, danceable and often socially- day afternoon barbershop blues jams of Prairie Home Companion” and is on staff conscious music began over 20 years ago Piedmont bluesman Archie Edwards and at many guitar workshops including Jorma with roots in old-time fiddle music that sometimes accompanied Delta blues great Kaukonen’s Fur Peace Ranch. evolved into a soulful electric Americana Eugene Powell in Greenville, Miss. infused with Cajun/, rock, folk, The Fox Fire reggae and country. Donna the Buffalo Wayne Erbsen Su includes Jeb Puryear on guitar and vocals; F The Fox Fire is a folk band from Brevard Tara Nevins on fiddle, guitar, , Wayne Erbsen of Asheville is a master consisting of old high school friends Aaron scrubboard and vocals; keyboardist Dave of old-time, bluegrass, folk, Appalachian, Aiken, Barrett Davis, Clint Roberts and McCracken; bassist Kyle Spark; and drum- cowboy, pioneer, railroad, gospel and Civil J.T. Linville. With influences like the Avett mer Mark Raudabaugh. Donna the Buf- War music. He plays clawhammer and Brothers, Kings of Leon and Creedence falo’s fervent fan base, self-named The bluegrass banjo, fiddle, mandolin and gui- Clearwater Revival, the band bring a tra- Herd, follows the band with zeal. Jerry Douglas tar. His repertoire approaches 1,000 songs. Continued on Page 13 Sam Bush Band A typical program includes songs, stories, Jerry Douglas history and humor with fiery instrumen- Su tals. He recorded 18 solo CDs and wrote Dobroist Jerry Douglas of Leavittsburg, and published 31 instruction and song Every girl is a Michael’s girl , has a close association with Mer- books. Erbsen performed on “Sesame leFest, having performed at the festival Street” and his music appeared in NPR’s every year since it began. He has won “Wireless Catalog.” 13 Grammy Awards, three CMA Musi- cian of the Year awards and numerous Josh Farrow International Bluegrass Music Associa- T, F tion awards, including multiple Dobro Josh Farrow is an American singer/ Player of the Year wins. In 2011, Douglas songwriter who uses his compelling, soul- received the annual Americana Honors ful voice to tell tales of the country life, and Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Award heartache of city life and visions of life for Instrumentalist. His distinctive sound on the road. His two new singles, “Devil has graced over 2,000 albums. Douglas’ Don’t You Fool Me” and “The Worryin’ latest album, “Traveler,” finds the world- Kind” were released in early 2013 and have renowned dobro master, described as “the landed him on stage with such acts as Muhammad Ali of the dobro” by James Leon Russell. Taylor, defying expectations and ignoring genre restrictions. Mary Flower F, Sa, Su The Duhks Mary Flower is known for her personal T, F vision of roots music that blends ragtime This Grammy-winning Canadian acous- and acoustic blues. With nine recordings tic roots band features banjo, fiddle, gui- and many instructional DVDs, Flower tar, percussion and vocals and plays a has earned rave reviews from critics and blend of Canadian and American soul, audiences for her unassuming vocals and gospel, folk, old-time country string, Cajun mastery of the guitar and zydeco, and Irish . The band’s lap slide guitar. She is a three-time Blues music draws heavily on all North Ameri- Music Award nominee and twice a finalist 900 Main Street • North Wilkesboro • 336-838-5964 can musical traditions, while integrating at the International Fingerpicking Guitar www.michaelsjewelry.com • facebook.com/michaelsjewelry MerleFest • Wilkes Journal-Patriot • April 2014 • 13 Artists continued from Page 12

12. Delivered ditional bluegrass setup to create Taylor Tut Gentlemen The Deadly ------Hillside a not-so-traditional, energized Jerry Douglas Claire Lynch Claire Band Lynch Nick Chandler and 3:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. 2:15 p.m.-3:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m.-1:45 p.m. The 10:30 a.m.-11:15 10:30 a.m. a.m.-11:15 performance. a.m.-12:30 p.m. 11:45

The Grassifieds T This Walkertown-based band combines locked-in harmonies 11. Delivered Grasstowne ------Blue Edition Beth Molaro The Fox Fire Time Sawyer Time Alan Bibey and and high lonesome lead vocals Bolts and caller

Merle Haggard Grits & Soul The Plaza Nick Chandler and 2:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. 2:45 p.m.-3:15 p.m. 1:15 p.m.-1:45 p.m. 12:30 p.m.-1:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. The Zephyr Lightning Moore Brothers Band 10:45 a.m.-11:15 10:45 a.m. a.m.-11:15 with skillful instrumental per- a.m.-12:15 p.m. 11:30 formances and talented song- band Frontier and in California in 2012. The release of their writing. Greg Barnett provides honky-tonks while working as first full-length album, “Flood soulful lead vocals and solid a studio guitarist and producer. Waters,” coincided with their rhythm guitar, pairing with ban- After joining his father, Manny appearance as a featured art- joist/lead guitarist Joel Barnett Greenhill, at Folklore Produc- ists at the 2013 IBMA World of 8. Dance Tribute with Tribute ------Folk Society

tions, he worked as agent/man- Bluegrass week in Raleigh. Paul’s Creek for classic brother harmonies. Riley Baugus Anything Goes Carol Rifkin - A Carol Rifkin A - Willard Watson Willard Watson the region, with Tent, Bluegrass Tent, Wilkes Acoustic Wilkes Learn to Clog with jam! Hosted by the Freestyle Dance to with Jammin’ Tent. Bring Jammin’ Tent.

ager and producer for Doc and your acoustic instru- 1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Old Time Tunes from Tunes Old Time 11:15 a.m.-12:15 11:15 p.m.

Bassist Pete Wright (winner of ment to this area and Jammin’ Tent and the Jammin’ Tent 12:30 p.m.-1:15 p.m. multiple awards) and banjo- Merle Watson, and oth- ist/guitarist Jerry Martin have ers. He and Mayne Smith released Su shared the stage for over 25 years. “Storm Coming “(1979) and “Back Country music legend They supply lead and harmony Where We’ve Never Been” (1985). Merle Haggard was born in vocals and masterful picking. Bakersfield, Calif., in 1937. 7. grinnin’! Penland Place

Grits & Soul Some critics have suggested Jammin’ at ------

Award-winning instrumentalists Pickin’ lad singer Joe Included in The The Pickin’ Place

F that Haggard, as a performer Endowment of the Celtic Connections more than a stage, it’s an entire venue Traditional Jammin’ Traditional

Amanda Smelser (fiddle) and Jim The Pickin’ Place is Kay Adams Kay and bal- 2:45 p.m.-3:30 p.m. 1:45 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Pickin’ Place are the Ballads with National Arts Recipient Sheila with Niall Toner Band with Niall Toner Mountain Stories and 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Grubbs (mandolin) complete the Anna Kline and John Looney and songwriter, was the most and pickin’ to devoted lineup. are the duo called Grits & Soul. important country artist to - Anna grew up in Hernando, Miss., emerge in the 1960s, and he Mitch Greenhill and coordinated the first Missis- became one of the leading fig- sippi Music Showcase at South by ures of the Bakersfield coun- F, Sa, Su 6.

Southwest in 2011. John began try scene in the 1960s. While Wernick

A product of the 1960s Cam- Songs with many more ------Grasstowne Riley Baugus Pete and Joan playing bass guitar, guitar man- his music remained hardcore Kim McWhirter,

bridge folk music scene, Greenhill Women Who Sing Sheila Adams, Kay Traditional Traditional Jam Traditional with Jeanette Queen and Shape Note Singing turing special guests Southern Tunes Southern and Tunes Laura Boosinger, Laura fea Boosinger, Traditional Music Traditional with with Laura Boosinger 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. 10:45 a.m.-11:30 10:45 a.m. a.m.-11:30 12:45 p.m.-1:30 p.m. 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 11:45 recorded two albums for Pres - dolin while growing up in south- country, he pushed the bound- hosts Carol Rifkin and tige, now reissued as “Shepherd western Virginia. They met in aries of the music quite far, of the City Blues.” In California January 2011 soon started writing drawing from all forms of tra- he performed in the country-rock together and moved to Asheville Continued on Page 14 5. Fedoryka ------Dan Alex and Theater of Jef special guests Alan Bibey and The InterACTive Sunday Morning Niall Toner Band Niall Toner performances by Book Binder with Donna The Buffalo Americana 2:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. 1:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m. 2:15 p.m.-3:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m.-1:45 p.m. Blues hosted by Roy 11:45 a.m.-12:30 11:45 p.m. Moore Brothers Band Thursday, April 24 s 10:15 a.m. a.m.-11:15 1. 2. ------11. 9:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Watson Cabin Holly Williams The Plaza 3:00 p.m.-3:45 p.m. 3:45 p.m.-4:15 p.m. 2:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Josh Farrow ToneBlazers with Jack 7. Tut Taylor ------Lawrence ------4. Barfield ------Pickin’ Place 3:15 p.m.-3:45 p.m. Little ------4:15 p.m.-5:00 p.m. ------The Nashville Pickers Theater of Jef Gregg ‘Buffalo’ Bluegrass Band

2:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. The InterACTive Jesse Stockton and Avett and Family

5:00 p.m.-5:05 p.m. Alberti Flea Circus Alberti Flea Circus Junior Sisk & Jug Band Jam with 9:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Spirit of Sunday with 10:30 a.m.-11:00 10:30 a.m. a.m.-11:00 11:00 a.m.-12:00 11:00 p.m. 11:30 a.m.-12:00 11:30 p.m. Gospel Hour with Jim 12:30 p.m.-1:00 p.m. Raffle Jammin’ at Moonlight Company 10:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Ramblers Choice The ’Pickin’ Place ------The Pickin’ Place is more 4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m.-6:15 p.m. 5:05 p.m.-5:30 p.m. than a stage, it’s an entire MerleFest Bluegrass Backporch Bluegrass The Duhks venue devoted to pickin’ & Jam Camp with ------grinnin’! Included in The Pete & Joan Wernick Pickin’ Place are the 4:45 p.m.-5:15 p.m. 3. Drawing

6:45 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Jeff Little Traditional Jammin’ Tent, Banknotes ------Silent Auction Silent

Scythian Devotions with Jim Lauderdale of Boone. Piano Sunday Morning Bluegrass Jammin’ Tent, ------& The Party Line music provided by Creekside by Jim Lauderdale 6:15 p.m.-6:45 p.m. Raffle Grand Prize First Baptist Church Rev. Roy Dobyns Rev. of Winners Announced Winners Nora Jane Struthers 1:35 p.m.-2:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m.-3:35 p.m. 3:35 p.m.-4:00 p.m. ------1:30 p.m.-1:35 p.m. The Bill Young Tribute and Anything Goes 5:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. 9:35 a.m.-10:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. with the Banknotes Jammin’ Tent, Bring your Jon Stickley Trio Carolina Chocolate Drops ------acoustic instruments to this ------7:33 p.m.-7:35 p.m. area and jam! Hosted by 6:15 p.m.-6:45 p.m. 9:30 p.m.-11:00 p.m. Raffle the Wilkes Acoustic Jeff Brown and Alan Jackson Folk Society. Still Lonesome ------1. 2. ------Raffle Fortune Del Rey

7:35 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Cabin ------Watson

7:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Merle Haggard featuring Jimmy Dailey & Vincent

John Stickley Trio Mandolin Orange Claire Lynch Claire Band Lynch

The Local Boys Overmountain Men 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. 11:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. a.m.-11:30 11:00 12:20 p.m.-12:45 p.m. 11:30 a.m.-12:15 11:30 p.m. 12:15 p.m.-12:20 p.m. 12:45 p.m.-1:30 p.m. April 27 Sunday, 14 • MerleFest • Wilkes Journal-Patriot • April 2014 Friday,25 April The Travelin’McCourys The featuring Jans Kruger,Jans featuring 10:30 a.m.-11:15a.m. 10:30 Sammy Shelor,Sammy Alison 11:15a.m.-11:45a.m. 10:00 p.m.-11:15p.m. 10:00 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 11:45a.m.-12:30 12:30 p.m.-1:00 p.m. p.m.-1:00 12:30 River Lonesome 6:45 p.m.-7:45 p.m. p.m.-7:45 6:45 p.m. p.m.-6:15 5:30 8:15 p.m.-9:30 p.m. p.m.-9:30 8:15 p.m. p.m.-5:20 4:30 1:45 p.m.-2:10 p.m. p.m.-2:10 1:45 1:00 p.m.-1:45 p.m. p.m.-1:45 1:00 2:15 p.m.-3:00 p.m. p.m.-3:00 2:15 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. p.m.-4:30 3:30 Brown, ,Scott Brown, Mills, Rob McCoury,Rob Mills, Banjo-Rama hosted Banjo-Rama TerryNed Baucom, Keller Williams and Williams Keller Luberecki, Graham Luberecki, Old Crow Medicine Crow Old Mark Johnson, Jim Johnson, Mark Sharp - backed by backed - Sharp Missy Raines and Raines Missy The Night Drivers Night The by Pete Wernick Pete by Chris Jones and Jones Chris Tim O’Brien and TimO’Brien Balsam Range Balsam McCourys and McCourys Watson The New Hip New The Bryan The Travelin’The Darrell Scott Darrell VolumeFive Mary Flower Mary I Draw Slow Draw I ------Cabin Artists May Andy BREAK Show

continued from Page 13 2. 1. ditional American music – coun- try, jazz, blues and folk – and in the process, developed a distinctive 12:00 noon-12:45 p.m. noon-12:45 12:00 10:45 a.m.-11:30a.m. 10:45 9:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m. p.m.-10:00 9:30 9:30 a.m.-10:15 a.m. a.m.-10:15 9:30 a.m. a.m.-10:15 9:30 The Kruger Brothers Kruger The 7:45 p.m.-8:15 p.m. p.m.-8:15 7:45 2:30 p.m.-3:15 p.m. p.m.-3:15 2:30 p.m. p.m.-2:00 1:15 3:45 p.m.-4:30 p.m. p.m.-4:30 3:45 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. p.m.-6:00 5:00 6:15 p.m.-6:42 p.m. p.m.-6:42 6:15 p.m. p.m.-5:30 5:25 p.m. p.m.-4:35 4:30 2:10 p.m.-2:15 p.m. p.m.-2:15 2:10 3:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. p.m.-3:30 3:00 by contest chairman contest by Winners Announced Songwriting Contest Songwriting The South Carolina South The Jug Band Jam with Jug

style of his own. As a performer, and Johnson Mark Creekside Darin and Brooke and Darin Frosty Morn with Morn Frosty Richard WatsonRichard Jim Lauderdale Jim Balsam Range Balsam Pickers Emory Lester Emory Broadcasters Volume Five Volume The Barefoot The I Draw Slow Draw I Chris Austin ------singer and musician, he was one ------Movement Red June Red Little Aldridge Raffle Raffle of the best, influencing countless Raffle other artists. Not coincidentally, 4. 3. he was the best singer/songwriter in country music since Hank Wil- liams, writing a body of songs that Lonesome River Band River Lonesome 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 11:45a.m.-12:30 Steve and Ruth Smith Ruth and Steve a.m.-11:15a.m. 10:45 11:00a.m.-11:45a.m. 12:15 p.m.-1:00 p.m. p.m.-1:00 12:15 9:45 a.m.-10:30 a.m. a.m.-10:30 9:45 4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. p.m.-4:30 4:00 4:00 p.m.-4:45 p.m. p.m.-4:45 4:00 p.m. p.m.-3:30 2:45 p.m. p.m.-2:15 1:30 5:15 p.m.-6:00 p.m. p.m.-6:00 5:15 5:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. p.m.-5:30 5:00 p.m. p.m.-3:30 3:00 became classics. With 38 No. 1 hits p.m. p.m.-6:30 6:00 6:30 p.m.-7:15 p.m. p.m.-7:15 6:30 2:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. p.m.-2:30 2:00 p.m. p.m.-1:30 1:00 Americana Shannon Whitworth Shannon Susana and Timmyand Susana Susana and Timmyand Susana Jug Band Jam with Jam Band Jug Alberti Flea Circus Flea Alberti Alberti Flea Circus Flea Alberti Missy Raines and Raines Missy Wheels Steel The The InterACTiveThe The InterACTiveThe The Hillbenders The Gregg ‘Buffalo’ Gregg Gregg ‘Buffalo’ Gregg Theater of Jef of Theater Theater of Jef of Theater

and 250 original songs, Haggard Hip New The ------Red June Red Barfield Barfield remains one of the best-known Nu-Blu Abell Abell artists in country music. He was 5. voted the “Top Male Vocalist” by the Academy of Country Music Awards. Haggard was inducted an entire venue devot- venue entire an more than a stage, it’s stage, a than more 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. a.m.-10:00 10:00 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. 11:45a.m.-12:45 Jammin’ Tent,Jammin’ the and Stringband Music with Music Stringband Women and Mountain Mountain and Women 10:30 a.m.-11:30a.m. 10:30

into the Nashville Songwriters Jeanette Rifkin, Carol ment to this area and area this to ment Traditional with Peter Traditionalwith Pickin’ Place are the are Place Pickin’ 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. p.m.-4:30 3:30 p.m. p.m.-3:15 2:15 p.m. p.m.-2:00 1:00 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. p.m.-7:00 6:00 nin’! Included in The in Included nin’! your acoustic instru- acoustic your Old Time Songs and TimeSongs Old Jammin’ Tent.Jammin’ Bring Rowan’s TwangRowan’s An’ The Pickin’ Place is Place Pickin’ The Ballads and Stories and Ballads Traditional TraditionalJammin’ Tent,Bluegrass the ed to pickin’ & grin- & pickin’ to ed Peter Rowan Plays Rowan Peter jam! Hosted by the by Hosted jam! The South Carolina South The from the Southern the from Queen and Sheila and Queen Tunes with WayneTuneswith The Pickin’ Place Pickin’ The Mandolin Orange Mandolin Henderson and Henderson Mountains with Mountains Hall of Fame in 1977, the Country Goes Anything Riley Baugus Riley Broadcasters Joe Penland Joe Pickin’ Helen White Helen ------Kay Adams Jammin’ at Jammin’ Place

Music Hall of Fame in 1994, the Groove 6. Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame 7. in 1997 and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2010. Among his many awards, he holds three Grammys, including a Grammy Hall of Fame Dance Demonstrations Demonstrations Dance with The Steel Wheels Steel The with Dance Demonstrations Demonstrations Dance Tunes and Songs with Songs Tunesand 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 11:30a.m.-12:30 Zephyr Lightning Bolts Bolts Lightning Zephyr Clogging and Smooth and Clogging hosted by Carol Rifkin Rifkin Carol by hosted 8:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m. p.m.-10:00 8:30 12:45 p.m.-1:45 p.m. p.m.-1:45 12:45 with a special appear special a with Freestyle Dance with Dance Freestyle (instruction and team and (instruction and their differences. their and Smooth Dance TeamDance Smooth Dance and Big Circle Circle Big and Dance Dance and Big Circle Big and Dance with Carol Rifkin and Rifkin Carol with Wayne Henderson & WayneHenderson Smooth Dance TeamDance Smooth Wilkes Acoustic Folk Wilkes Acoustic 7:00 p.m.-8:15 p.m. p.m.-8:15 7:00 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. p.m.-7:00 6:00 p.m. p.m.-6:00 5:00 String Honey Locust 3:45 p.m.-4:45 p.m. p.m.-4:45 3:45 Learn both Clogging both Learn 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. p.m.-3:30 2:00 Traditional Mountain TraditionalMountain TraditionalMountain Bannerman and the the and Bannerman and Smooth Dance Smooth and Old TimeyDance Old and Paul’s Creek Paul’s and ance by the FHC FHC the by ance with caller Glenn Glenn caller with with caller Glenn Glenn caller with Award for “Mama Tried.” On June Sing and Dance Hosted by FHC by Hosted demonstration) Paul’s Creek Paul’s ------I Draw Slow Draw I ------Dance Bannerman ------14, 2013, Merle Haggard was pre- with Dance Society. Friends Dance Break Band sented an honorary doctorate of 8. Fine Arts by California State Uni- versity, Bakersfield. - Wayne Henderson 10:30 p.m.-12:00 a.m. p.m.-12:00 10:30 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 11:45a.m.-12:30 10:10 a.m.-10:45 a.m. a.m.-10:45 10:10 a.m. a.m.-10:10 10:00 Steve and Ruth Smith Ruth and Steve 10:45 a.m.-11:30a.m. 10:45 MerleFest Workshops MerleFest Homespun Workshop Homespun 12:45 p.m.-1:30 p.m. p.m.-1:30 12:45 Alumni Hall Alumni Workshop with Garry with Workshop 9:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. a.m.-10:00 9:30 Hammered Dulcimer Hammered Dynamics Workshop Dynamics Three Part Harmony Part Three 5:00 p.m.-5:45 p.m. p.m.-5:45 5:00 3:45 p.m.-4:45 p.m. p.m.-4:45 3:45 p.m. p.m.-3:30 2:45 1:45 p.m.-2:30 p.m. p.m.-2:30 1:45 History of the Blues the of History Friday Night Dance Night Friday Sammy Shelor and Shelor Sammy So You’veSo a Made with Happy Traum Happy with with Happy Traum Happy with West of Compass of West Roy Book Binder,Book Roy 101 Basics Banjo VocalsWorkshop F, Sa and with Amanda Eleanor Ellis and Ellis Eleanor Mayes Pit Mayes TraditionalMusic Austin in Austin CD, Now What? Now CD, Welcome to the to Welcome Scott Anderson Scott Anderson Workshop with Workshop Workshop with Workshop with Workshop with Workshop WayneErbsen with Red June Red with with Scythian with Fiona Boyes Fiona Family Band Family ------Wayne Henderson’s top-notch ------Records 10.

finger-picking has delighted Carn- 9. egie Hall, three national tours of Masters of the Steel-String Guitar and seven nations in Asia. Hender- son is a luthier of great renown. 12:30 p.m.-12:45 p.m. p.m.-12:45 12:30 12:00 noon-12:15 p.m. noon-12:15 12:00 Lonesome River Band River Lonesome 11:30a.m.-11:45a.m. 10:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m. a.m.-10:45 10:30 a.m. a.m.-10:15 10:00 11:00a.m.-11:15a.m. The Sigmon Stringers Sigmon The Charles Humphrey III Humphrey Charles Welcome to the Doc the to Welcome judges Darrell Scott, Darrell judges 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. p.m.-3:30 2:00 p.m. p.m.-1:15 1:00 Songwriting Contest Songwriting 8:00 p.m.-8:15 p.m. p.m.-8:15 8:00 7:15 p.m.-8:00 p.m. p.m.-8:00 7:15 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. p.m.-6:30 5:00 Jesse Stockton and Stockton Jesse

He is a recipient of a 1995 National WatsonPerforming Smothers and Bob and Smothers Finals with contest with Finals Hill of Frosty Morn Frosty of Hill and Merle WatsonMerle and Brandon Rickman Brandon The Chris Austin The Arts Showcase: Arts Lauderdale and Lauderdale The Local Boys Local The Performing Arts and Niall TonerNiall and Mitch Greenhill Mitch Doc and Merle and Doc with Andy May with Andy Hosted by Joe by Hosted Moonlight Co. Moonlight Locust Honey Locust The Barefoot The Acoustic Kids Acoustic chairman Jim chairman Coffeehouse Coffeehouse Songwriter’s Songwriter’s Grits & Soul & Grits Registration

Heritage Award presented by the Band String Showcases ------Movement

National Endowment for the Arts. the of He produces about 20 instruments a year, mostly . Doc Wat- son, who was a good friend, used to stop at Henderson’s shop in 10:00 p.m.-10:15 p.m. p.m.-10:15 10:00 12:00 noon-12:45 p.m. noon-12:45 12:00 10:30 p.m.-11:30p.m. 10:30 10:15 a.m.-10:45 a.m. a.m.-10:45 10:15 11:00a.m.-11:45a.m. 9:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. a.m.-10:00 9:30 5:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. p.m.-6:00 5:30 p.m. p.m.-5:15 4:45 p.m. p.m.-4:30 4:00 p.m. p.m.-3:45 3:00 2:00 p.m.-2:45 p.m. p.m.-2:45 2:00 Rugby to pick a few tunes. Doc p.m. p.m.-1:45 1:00 Buncombe TurnpikeBuncombe 9:30 p.m.-9:45 p.m. p.m.-9:45 9:30 9:00 p.m.-9:15 p.m. p.m.-9:15 9:00 8:30 p.m.-8:45 p.m. p.m.-8:45 8:30 Shannon Whitworth Shannon Lynda Dawson and LyndaDawson Lynda Dawson and LyndaDawson Carolina Blue Band Blue Carolina Amanda and Scott and Amanda My New Favorites New My The Plaza The Misty River Band River Misty The Local Boys Local The Pattie Hopkins Pattie Pattie Hopkins Pattie Joe Smothers Joe said of his Henderson mandolin, TalNaccarato Coffeehouse Coffeehouse Coffeehouse Coffeehouse Coffeehouse Songwriter’s Songwriter’s Songwriter’s Songwriter’s Songwriter’s Grits & Soul & Grits ToddSnider ------Andy May Andy “That Henderson mandolin is as Anderson good as any I’ve had my hands on. 11. And that’s saying a lot, because I’ve picked up some good ones.” 12:00 noon-12:45 p.m. noon-12:45 12:00 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 11:45a.m.-12:30 10:30 a.m.-11:15a.m. 10:30 High Valley a.m.-11:30a.m. 10:45 Jim Lauderdale Band Lauderdale Jim The Cockman Family Cockman The 9:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. a.m.-10:00 9:30 The Kruger Brothers Kruger The 6:15 p.m.-7:00 p.m. p.m.-7:00 6:15 p.m. p.m.-5:45 5:00 p.m. p.m.-4:30 3:30 p.m. p.m.-3:00 2:15 p.m. p.m.-1:45 1:00 7:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. p.m.-7:30 7:00 p.m. p.m.-6:45 6:15 3:45 p.m.-4:30 p.m. p.m.-4:30 3:45 p.m. p.m.-3:15 2:30 p.m. p.m.-2:00 1:15 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. p.m.-6:00 5:00 Shannon Whitworth Shannon Donna The Buffalo The Donna TwangGroove An’ The Night Drivers Night The Chris Jones and Jones Chris Sutton, Holt and Holt Sutton, The Hillbenders The The WaybacksThe

Sa Rowan’s Peter Hillside Josh Farrow Josh Walker ToddSnider ------Center ------The Duhks The The Duhks The TutTaylor Coleman The Canadian country band Scythian Nu-Blu High Valley, consisting of brothers 13. 12. Brad, Bryan and Curtis Rempel, has won multiple Canadian Coun- Continued on Page 15 MerleFest • Wilkes Journal-Patriot • April 2014 • 15 13. Band Rangers Coleman The Keels Waybacks Della Mae High Valley High ------Center Walker Walker Dirty Kitchen Steep Canyon Steve Thomas Steve Town Mountain Town Frank Solivan & Frank Sutton, Holt and ing Keller Williams ing Keller Claire Lynch Claire Band Lynch Midnight-2:30 a.m. The Hillside Album Keller Williams and Keller Hosted by Scythian 3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Nashville Bluegrass Hour The hosted by 11:30 p.m.-Midnight Opening The Act for 5:00 p.m.-5:45 p.m. 3:45 p.m.-4:30 p.m. 2:15 p.m.-3:15 p.m. 1:00 p.m.-1:45 p.m. 2:15 p.m.-3:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m.-1:45 p.m. Midnight Jam featur- 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Alison Brown Quartet 10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m. 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m.

The Hillbenders 12. 11. Greatest and Kids Tut Taylor Tut Banknotes ------Book Binder Hillside Tal Naccarato Tal Sanctum Sully Artists Mountain Feist Mountain Feist The Local Boys with Rory Block Kim Robins and Kim Robins and Forty Years Late Years Forty Late Years Forty Mark Bumgarner Mark Bumgarner The Plaza Mark Newton and Greatest Acoustic on Earth with Roy 3:45 p.m.-4:15 p.m. 1:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m. 2:15 p.m.-2:45 p.m. 3:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. 5:15 p.m.-5:45 p.m. 6:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. 6:45 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Buncombe Turnpike Buncombe 4:35 p.m.-5:20 p.m. 5:25 p.m.-5:35 p.m. 9:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. continued from Page 14 12:45 p.m.-1:15 p.m. Acoustic Blues Show The Cockman Family The Cockman Family Blues Show on Earth 9:30 a.m.-10:15 a.m. 12:00 noon-12:30 p.m. 10:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. 11:15 a.m.-11:45 a.m. try Music Association and Juno nominations. The band opened shows for , , and 10. Greatest Greatest

Reba McEntire. High Valley has Workshop ------Mary Flower Eleanor Ellis with Del Rey The Greatest Learn to Jam on Earth with on Earth with on Earth with Mitch Greenhill Austin in Austin est Acoustic Blues with Fiona Boyes Greatest Acoustic Greatest Acoustic been recording for over a decade Traum with Happy Greatest Acoustic Greatest Acoustic Greatest Acoustic with Pete Wernick with Pete by by Book Roy Binder with CharlesWelch 2:55 p.m.-3:40 p.m. 3:45 p.m.-4:30 p.m. 1:15 p.m.-2:00 p.m. 2:05 p.m.-2:50 p.m. Blues Show on Earth Show Show on Earth hosted Welcome to Welcome the Great - Acoustic Blues Show Acoustic Blues Show Acoustic Blues Show Blues Show on Earth Blues Show on Earth Blues Show on Earth Blues Show on Earth 9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Alumni Hall 11:25 a.m.-11:45 a.m. 11:00 a.m.-11:05 a.m. 12:25 p.m.-1:10 p.m. 11:50 a.m.-12:20 p.m. with Roy with Book Roy Binder and touring for 16 years. High Val- 11:05 a.m.-11:20 a.m. ley’s U.S. debut album, “Love Is A Long Road,” features driving tempos, engaging harmonies and superb musicianship. 9. MerleFest Rory Block Holden and ------Songwriter's Blues Guitar Happy Traum Happy Roland Roland White Roland mountain Men Louise Holden Workshop Workshop with Workshop Workshop with Workshop Workshop with

Bob Hill to Welcome the Workshops Workshops with Grass Grass members former former Nashville Graham Graham Sharp & Irish Roots Music Monroe Mandolin Mayes Pit Mayes The Anatomy of a and Emory Lester Toner Band, Dave Toner Rangers ad David Wayne Henderson Wayne with Mark Johnson Blake Williams and Blake 100 Years of Lester Years 100 III of Steep Canyon Charles Humphries with Jack with Lawrence Jack Workshop Workshop with Niall 9:30 a.m.-9:40 a.m. 5:00 p.m.-5:45 p.m. 2:45 p.m.-3:30 p.m. 3:45 p.m.-4:45 p.m. 1:45 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Yesterday and Today Today and Yesterday Childers of the Over- mer Workshop Banjo Clawgrass/Clawham- Flatt Workshop - with 9:45 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Flatpicking Workshop Workshop Flatpicking Guitar Workshop Workshop Guitar with 12:45 p.m.-1:30 p.m. 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. F, Sa 10:45 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Born in the back of a jukebox, Bob Hill sold his first published song to Ray Charles in 1972. Shortly after, Bob joined Doc 8. Break and Merle Watson as an original Creek Little Trio Little Andy May The Buffalo Dance ------Folk Society Folk Acoustic Kids Broadcasters

member of Frosty Morn. In 1980, Hosted by the Big Circle and Saturday Night Saturday Showcases Showcases with Wilkes Wilkes Acoustic along with Carol Rifkin and Paul's & The & Party Line ed by the Zephyr with Riley Baugus Doc's Honky Tonk Doc's Tonk Honky caller Beth Molaro caller Beth Molaro Dance with Donna Mountain Cloggers Dance with the Jeff Lightning Bolts with Lightning Bolts with The South Carolina Freestyle Dance Freestyle and Learn Clogging with Square Dance host- Traditional Mountain Traditional Traditional Mountain Traditional world Bailey famous Nora Nora Jane Struthers 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.-8:15 p.m. 3:15 p.m.-4:45 p.m. 1:00 p.m.-1:45 p.m. 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. demonstrations demonstrations from NEMS Records of , Eng- 8:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m. hosted by the Zephyr and Big Circle Dance 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Old Time Dance Tunes Time Tunes Old Dance 10:30 p.m.-11:55 p.m. land, signed Bob as a solo artist. NEMS renamed him “Fred Hill.” Bob has written songs with and for as well as recorded and per- 6. 7.

formed with such artists as Leon more Creek grinnin'! Tent and Tent Place Included in High Valley High ------Russell, JJ Cale, Jack “Cowboy” Pickin’ Pickin' Pickin' Place Emory Lester Jammin' Tent. Jammin' area and jam! the Traditional the Traditions with Traditions Anything Anything Goes Jammin’ The at Jammin’ Old Time Old Radio with David Holt, Carol Rifkin and Laura Laura Boosinger Music with Carol Rifkin and Paul's Jammin' Tent, the Tent, Jammin' instruments to this Sheila Kay Sheila Adams Kay WBT Briarhoppers Mark Johnson and Bluegrass Bluegrass Jammin' more than a stage, it's an entire venue Songs, Songs, Stories and Bring your acoustic Traditional Clement, Don Everly, Ray Ste- to devoted pickin' & The Pickin' Place is Storytelling from the 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. 4:45 p.m.-5:45 p.m. 2:15 p.m.-3:15 p.m. 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. 5:15 p.m.-6:00 p.m. for the for Arts recipient 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. National Endowment Singing Doc's Songs Mountain Stringband The Pickin' Place are 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. vens, Lacy J. Dalton and Rufus 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. & Carla Thomas, just to drop a few names. Fast forward to the present, Bob has released a CD

entitled “Keepin’ The Wolves 5. Boys Abell Abell Barfield Stringers Andy May Away” on Love Breeze Records Delta Rae ------I Draw I Slow Draw The Sigmon Acoustic Kids Theater of Jef Steve Thomas Steve Natural Natural Bridge Pattie Hopkins Pattie Larry and Keel Gregg "Buffalo" Gregg "Buffalo" Showcases Showcases with Alberti Flea Circus and is currently at work on a new Mark Newton and Sleepy Banjo Claire Lynch Claire Band Lynch Alberti Flea Circus WBT Briarhoppers Jug Jug Band Jam with Lynda Dawson Lynda and Susana and Timmy Susana Timmy and Susana and Timmy Susana Timmy and Americana 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m.-4:45 p.m. 3:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. 2:45 p.m.-3:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m. 2:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m.-2:15 p.m. 12:00 noon-12:30 p.m. 9:45 a.m.-10:30 a.m. 12:15 p.m.-1:00 p.m. project. Bob still sleeps in the 10:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m.-11:45 a.m. back of the jukebox.

The Hillbenders F 3. 4. Boys Raffle Raffle Kitchen featuring

The Hillbenders, a dynamic Coleman ------and Sam Bush

bluegrass quintet from Spring- Sutton, Holt and The InterACTive Niall Toner Band Toner Niall The Wheels Steel Sleepy Man Sleepy Banjo Creekside ger, Blake Williams Blake ger, WBT Briarhoppers Pete Wernick, Wernick, Mark Pete by Tony Williamson Tony by Mike Munford, Mike Scott Munford, 9:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Anderson, Jens Kru- 8:20 p.m.-8:27 p.m. 2:45 p.m.-3:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m.-8:20 p.m. 1:30 p.m.-2:15 p.m. 6:30 p.m.-6:35 p.m. 6:35 p.m.-7:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m.-6:15 p.m. BanjoRama Part Two BanjoRama Two Part The Kruger Brothers ton, David Holt, Jack Merle with T. Michael Merle T. with Coleman, Bryan Sut- 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.- Mando Mania hosted Frank Solivan & Frank Dirty and Dr. Ralph Stanley and Dr. 9:30 a.m.-10:15 a.m. Johnson, Scott Vestal, Johnson, Vestal, Scott Little Pickers Memories of Doc and 12:00 noon-1:00 p.m. 9:45 p.m.-10:15 p.m. Lawrence Lawrence & Jeff Little field, Mo., with their high-octane 10:45 a.m.-11:30 a.m. shows, tight harmonies and stun- ning instrumental prowess, have been winning fans and making waves at every festival around 1. 2. Raffle the country since their formation Break Quartet Rangers Andy May Cabin An' Groove ------Alison Brown Emory Lester Acoustic Kids Watson Steep Canyon Sanctum Sully and the Clinch Mountain Boys Town Mountain Town Ricky Ricky Skaggs & Niall Toner Band Toner Niall Sam Bush Band & The & Party Line Dr. Ralph Stanley Dr. The Wheels Steel Kentucky Ambassadors with Mark Johnson and Nora Nora Jane Struthers 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m.-9:45 p.m. 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m.-1:45 p.m. 1:45 p.m.-2:15 p.m. 3:00 p.m.-3:05 p.m. 3:05 p.m.-3:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. 2:15 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Peter Rowan's Twang Twang Rowan's Peter 12:30 p.m.-1:00 p.m. 10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m. 11:45 p.m.-12:30 p.m. 10:15 p.m.-11:15 p.m. 11:15 a.m.-11:45 a.m. Continued on Page 18 April 26 Saturday, 16 • MerleFest • Wilkes Journal-Patriot • April 2014

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hammer banjo player Colin Derham and Artists double bassist Konrad Liddy to form I Draw continued from Page 15 Slow and create a sound rooted in the old time-style of the Appalachian Mountains in 2008. The Hillbenders are lead singer and drawing on and and mandolinist Nolan Lawrence, guitar- modern Americana. ist Jim Rea, bass player Gary Rea, banjoist Mark Cassidy and Dobroist Chad “Gravy InterACTive Theater of Jef Boat” Graves. Their latest release, “Can F, Sa, Su You Hear Me?,” is a charismatic album Lumberton-based Jef is happy to be imbued with the spirit and energy of their returning to the Little Pickers Stage and live shows. MerleFest this year. As a mime and jug- gler for over 35 years, Jef’s work has often David Holt been associated with the world of music. He Eleanor Ellis Wayne Erbsen F, Sa has performed his wacky brand of mime, Four-time Grammy Award winner mask and variety arts at fairs and festi- Rice brothers, Larry, Tony, Ronnie and Wyatt David Holt of Garland, Texas, is a musician, vals throughout the South. As a soloist and when he moved to Florida. Mark’s unique storyteller, historian, television host and ensemble member, he’s opened for the Pres- Alan Jackson style doesn’t fit in a strict category. It’s very entertainer who is dedicated to perform- ervation Hall Jazz Band and Doc Watson. bluegrass but has overtones of traditional ing and preserving traditional American Rigsby (vocals), and Scott Coney (acoustic folk, progressive acoustic, new-grass and music and stories. Holt performed with Alan Jackson old-timey all mixed into one. Doc Watson for 14 years, which he says T guitar). Jackson was born in Newnan, Ga., was the highlight of his 30-year career. In Alan Jackson is one of the most success- in 1958 and married his high school sweet- heart. They have three daughters. Chris Jones and 1968, he started his journey in the heart of ful and respected singer-songwriters in The Night Drivers the Appalachian Mountains. With a passion music. He joins Paul McCartney and John Mark Johnson F to become an old-time banjo player, Holt Lennon in being among songwriters with 20 Chris Jones and The Night Drivers com- traveled to remote mountain communities songs they recorded and took to the top of F, Sa Mark Johnson learned to fiddle and play bine the best of with searching for the best traditional musi- the charts. Jackson has sold nearly 60 mil- award-winning original material, soulful cians. He and Watson won two Grammys lion albums worldwide, topped the country the clawhammer banjo from Jay Unger while living in New York. He also learned lead singing, arrangements of new and for “Legacy,” a three-CD set with interviews, singles charts 35 times, and scored over 50 old songs and an entertaining stage show. music and a live concert. Holt has hosted Top 10 hits. He has written or co-written 24 the three-finger style of bluegrass picking. numerous television shows and performed of his 35 No. 1 hit singles. He is an 18-time Mark met and was heavily influenced by the Continued on Page 19 and recorded with many of his mentors ACM Award winner, a 16-time CMA Award including Doc Watson, Chet Atkins, Bill recipient and a two-time Grammy-winning Monroe and Earl Scruggs. artist. Jackson’s “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?” commemorating I Draw Slow those lost in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, F, Sa earned him his first Grammy Award for I Draw Slow has been hailed in Ireland Best Country Song. He received the ASCAP Fresh, Never since the release of its Top 10 selling album, Founders Award and was inducted into the “Redhills,” but the impact of the roots band Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame as a abroad is redrawing the map for these Irish/ Songwriter/Artist in 2011. Jackson’s “The Frozen American songwriters. The band has played Bluegrass Album” has had rave reviews in the U.K., Germany, Denmark and Belgium since its release in September. The new and it started 2012 with a performance with album features bluegrass greats Sammy BBQ and the Flecktones. Siblings Shelor (banjo), Adam Steffey (mandolin), Dave (guitar) and Louise (vocals) Holden Tim Crouch (fiddle), Tim Dishman (bass), paired up with violinist Adrian Hart, claw- (Dobro), and Don Burgers Chicken USED CARS-TRUCKS-PARTS If You’re Looking For A Particular Make or Model, Give Us A Call - Most Times We Can Find Exactly What You Are Looking For -- On the Lot Financing • Acres of Used Parts 3600 W. 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Stof- the house and started enjoying retirement? fel’s strong sense of rhythm helps drive If the answer is yes, we know just the band. where to begin. and Natural Bridge Sa Larry Keel has been called the most Get All powerful, innovative and exhilarating acoustic flatpicking guitarist perform- This for ing today. Joining Keel are Mark Schi- Larry Keel mick (mandolin and vocals), Will Lee and One Low (banjo and lead vocals) and wife Jenny Natural Keel (vocals). Keel is based in the musical Bridge Monthly Fee! heritage of his native . He has a knack for choosing interesting Jack Lawrence F, Sa, Su and appealing material from multiple One & Two Bedroom musical genres. Jack Lawrence of Harrisburg has been called a “flatpicking powerhouse.” He com- Luxury Apartments with full kitchens The Kruger Brothers bines high-spirited and innovative guitar solos with tasteful phrasing in his own style. and baths T, F, Sa., Su • Fitness Center & Rec Room Some call it jazz. Some, classical. Experi- Known as Doc Watson’s partner starting • Restaurant Dining Options ence what happens when these innovative in the early 1980s, his talents are featured • Fireside Lounge & Library and soulful world-class virtuosos put on on Doc’s Grammy winner, “On Praying one-of-a-kind performance. When you listen Ground,” and many of his other recordings. • Private Parking to the music of the Kruger Brothers, you His solo project, “About Time,” released in •Shuttle Transportation Service can’t help but be amazed by the sheer depth 1997, showcases Lawrence’s guitar style and • 24-Hour Security & of their artistry. Originally from Europe, rich, warm vocals. He assembled some of Emergency Medical Response now living in North Carolina, they were the friends for the April 2002 release of “I • Assisted Living first introduced to American audiences in Don’t Need The Whiskey Anymore,” featur- To Be Completed 2015 1997, quickly gaining the attention of fans ing Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Tony Wil- and the alike. Their music liamson, The Del McCoury Band and Doc celebrates the best of what music can be: Watson. It reflects how Watson, exciting, engaging, intelligent and delightful. John Hurt, Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs Pets Welcome and the Allman Brothers influenced him. Jens Kruger, Uwe Kruger and Joel Landsberg www.visitroseglen.com personify the spirit of exploration and inno- vation that forms the core of the American Emory Lester musical tradition. F, Sa The power and attack of Emory Lester’s Jim Lauderdale mandolin playing are unmatched and his F, Sa, Su sound is infectious. His recording projects, Two-time Grammy Award-winner Jim “Pale Rider,” “The Emory Lester Set,” and Lauderdale of Troutman is successful in “Cruisin’ the 8” placed him among the elite both country and bluegrass. His career has mandolinists. His latest solo recording, taken him all over the nation and abroad. “Reminiscing Today,” is equally strong. “LquelJim” won “Artist of the Year” and Banjoist Mark Johnson and Emory have “Song of the Year” at the first Americana toured all across the U.S. and have been 407 W. Main Street Music Association Honors and Awards Show featured in performances with Steve Mar- Wilkesboro, NC in 2002. He hosted the same show for seven tin. Emory, a Virginia native now living in years. Lauderdale is on Nashville’s “A” list Ontario, has been teaching master series 336-667-2952 of songwriters. workshops at events, schools and work- Continued on Page 20 20 • MerleFest • Wilkes Journal-Patriot • April 2014

Local Boys are fairly standard in acoustic Artists instrumental arrangement: guitar, bass, continued from Page 19 banjo, dobro and mandolin, but they have four superb lead vocalists who also sing shops far and wide. harmonies: John Akin, Aaron Soots, Eric Childers and Tommy Rape. The band plays Jeff Little Trio bluegrass, blues, rock ‘n’ roll, old country Sa, Su and . Lonesome River Band The Local Boys The piano normally doesn’t play a big Year in 2013. Having crafted one of the most part in and rarely is the Locust Honey of Famer and multi-award winning banjo- instantly identifiable sounds in acoustic lead instrument, but Jeff Little of Boone String Band ist Sammy Shelor. He is joined by Brandon music, her catalog encompasses vintage makes an exception. His distinctive style is F Rickman (lead/harmony vocals, guitar); bluegrass and thoughtful infusions of con- breathtaking in speed, precision and clarity. Chloe Edmonstone (fiddle, guitar, vocals), Mike Hartgrove (fiddle); Barry Reed (bass, temporary folk, country, rock and swing. His family ran Little’s Music Store, where Ariel Dixon (banjo, guitar, vocals) and Mer- harmony vocals); and Randy Jones (lead/ musicians frequently dropped by to play edith Watson (guitar, slide guitar, banjo, harmony vocals, mandolin). In 2012, the Mandolin Orange a tune. Among those was Doc Watson, a vocals) started the Locust Honey String band won IBMA Award for Instrumental Su neighbor and close family friend. A profes- Band in Asheville in January 2012. The three Recorded Event of the Year for “Angeline the Mandolin Orange was formed in 2009 in sional musician since the age of 14, Little blend sweet harmonies with old-time fiddle Baker” from “CHRONOLOGY Volume One.” Chapel Hill around the talents of singer/ is conversant with old-time, country, blue- tunes to take “girl band” to a different level songwriter and multi-instrumentalist grass, rockabilly and blues. He has directed with blues, old-time tunes, honky tonk and Claire Lynch Band Andrew Marlin and violinist/guitarist the music industry program at Guilford old country music. Chloe and Ariel grew Sa, Su Emily Frantz. Mandolin Orange offers a Technical Community College since 2004. up going to old-time music festivals with Two-time Grammy nominee Claire Lynch mix of bluegrass, gospel, folk, country and their parents and have been playing music has been recognized as a creative force pop that invokes earthy timelessness and The Local Boys together since their early teenage years. in acoustic music and at the forefront of effortless harmonies. Partners in music T, F, Sa, Su women who have expanded the bluegrass and life, the pair released their self-pro- The Local Boys is a band that was wait- Lonesome River Band genre. The two-time Grammy nominee duced debut, “Quiet Little Rooms,” in 2010, ing for the appellation “Americana,” since F recently earned her third IBMA Female followed by a double-album, “Haste Make/ “bluegrass” just doesn’t cover the material The Lonesome River Band has released Vocalist of the Year title and in 2012 was Hard Hearted Stranger” in 2011. The third they do. All members of the band have deep hit albums and toured extensively for over awarded the Walker Fellowship from United release was “This Side Of Jordan.” roots in traditional music and a love for 30 years, maintaining a reputation as one of States Artists. Her latest release, “Dear Sis- musical styles that influenced and evolved the most respected names in bluegrass. The ter,” was nominated for IBMA’s Album of the from old-time country and bluegrass. The group is led by Virginia Country Music Hall Continued on Page 21 Perry Lowe Orchards,LLC Mark’s Guns 336-921-3123 www.perryloweorchards.com 828-632-7913 & Ammo

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Andy May F, Sa By his 20th birthday in 1969, singer, songwriter, guitarist, mandolinist, pro- ducer and educator Andy May of New York City had played Carnegie Hall and Superior Credentials, superior care won the Grand Championship on guitar Misty River Band at the fabled Union Grove Old-Time Fid- Tomas Vybiral, MD, FACC dler’s Convention. Swift River Music, the and trading rare pre-war . Mills still Board Certified Cardiology record label started and runs, received the tours with and other artists. He Board Certified Internal Medicine IBMA Recorded Event of the Year award played banjo at the grand opening of the Fellow American College of Cardiology for “Everett Lilly & Everybody and Their Earl Scruggs Center and Museum in Janu- Brother” in 2008. May has appeared with ary 2014. He recorded three solo albums Dr. Vybiral offers over 16 years of experience in this area, and is currently accepting new patients. His dedication to his patients includes both out-patient care and care Merle Haggard, , , and performed on many others, including of the patient when he or she is hospitalized. Having received the highest quality of , Brownie McGee and Sonny ’s first two bluegrass albums. training, Dr. Vybiral combines excellent Diagnostic Medicine with consideration Terry, , Jerry Jeff Walker and The first won a Grammy Award. He won and concern of each patient at all times. He offers extensive testing in his office for many others. the IBMA Banjo Player of the Year award all your Cardiology concerns and Internal Medicine visits. six times, more than any other player. He Dr. Vybiral can see you in three convenient locations: Jim Mills won IBMA Instrumental Album of the ELKIN N. WILKESBORO SPARTA F Year for “Bound to Ride.” Mills has won 640 Parkwood Medical Park 1909-1912 West Park Drive 665 Main St., Trojan Village #206 Jim Mills is known primarily as for play- six Grammy Awards. ing bluegrass banjo in the three-finger (336) 526-7997 (336) 667-1001 (336) 372-5911 style popularized by Earl Scruggs. Mills Misty River Band performed for five years with Doyle Law- F son & Quicksilver in the 1980s and later Misty River Band, based in Union was banjo player for Ricky Skaggs and Grove, plays traditional bluegrass, blue- Kentucky Thunder for 14 years. In 2010, he left Skaggs to focus on buying, selling Continued on Page 22

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cal tapestry that honors tradition, and banjo); Linda Waltner (fid- Artists welcomes progress and melds a dle); Amy Benedict (bass); Tracy continued from Page 21 love of tone and harmonies with a Johnson (keyboards, accordion, fiery stage energy that wins over and vocals). grass gospel and newer sounds even the most jaded listeners. Tal Naccarato Old Crow of bluegrass. It also plays many This is a once-in-a-generation F, Sa Medicine of its own songs. With mixing group for whom the phrase “roots Tal Naccarato is a classically- Show the old and new styles, the hope & wings” was invented. trained and influenced acoustic the Soggy Bottom Boys, the fic- “Wheeling Jamboree”) has never is that the music appeals to both Mountain Feist and electric guitar player, singer tional old-time trio in the movie stopped mining the American the older and younger audiences. Sa and songwriter. He plays Pied- “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” music canon for great material. Members of the band have back- Asheville-based Mountain mont fingerstyle country blues, Alan O’Bryant, Songs collect and abide in Tim grounds in jazz, blues, folk and Feist has a traditional blue - gospel blues, ragtime, Texas and appeared on gospel, which adds depth and grass setup instrumentally and blues, Delta blues, folk, bottle- the film’s Platinum soundtrack. diversity to the music. Members the stage dynamics of a (seem- neck slide, slack key and Chicago Continued on Page 23 are Deward Huie, lead vocals; ingly) single mic setup. Over the blues. His acoustic guitar style Mark Newton Bud Martin, harmony vocals; last four years, Mountain Feist include the Rev. Gary Davis, and Steve Thomas Teresa Huie, bass; Dwight Burks, has played festivals and music Blind Blake, Doc Watson and Mis- Sa guitar and harmony vocals; and venues from North Carolina to sissippi John Hurt. His electric Ronnie Moore. guitar influences include Elmore Mark Newton and Steve the Midwest, sharing the stage Thomas recently joined to take with some of the hottest musical James, Buddy Guy, Otis Rush and Beth Molaro live shows on the road and launch acts. The band has a collective Merle Travis. Tal’s latest album Sa, Su is “Piedmont.” He now is doing their first national album release Beth Molaro of Asheville is in 75 years of experience playing as Newton & Thomas. Both have music, entertaining, writing unplugged solo acoustic shows the thriving dance community in the U.S. a Grammy nomination, CMA I Draw Slow in that area. She often travels to and singing. It consists of Justin nomination and multiple IBMA call dances. Her ability to sing Eisenman (guitar and vocals), awards. The first single on their Matthew Dufon (upright bass and Nashville Bluegrass Band the calls is unique and creates Sa, Su debut album, “Reborn,” hit the an exciting blend of music and vocals), Jesse Iaquinto (mando- No. 1 spot on “Bluegrass Today’s” lin and vocals) and Calder Baker The Nashville Bluegrass Band calls. She combines elements has won two Grammy Awards for Top 20 four times. (banjo). Mountain Feist’s first of blues and jazz in her voice as albums, was IBMA Entertainer of album, “Bittersweet and Roses” she weaves together various ele- the Year twice and IBMA Vocal Nu-Blu was released in June 2013. ments of dance. Beth’s dances Group of the Year four times. T, F, Sa are always a guaranteed whoop Collectively and singularly, the Siler City-based Nu-Blu, is com- and a-holler good time. Danc- My New Favorites band’s members have virtually prised of Carolyn Routh (bass Chris Jones and Night Drivers ers are sure to leave with a feel- F defined modern bluegrass. NBB and vocals), Levi Austin (vocals good dancing high. In addition Johnson City, Tenn.-based My toured and performed with Earl and banjo), Austin Koerner (man- to calling, Beth is a skilled and New Favorites was named the Scruggs, Doc Watson, Alison dolin), and Daniel Routh (gui- exuberant foot percussionist in 2013 Americana Vocal Group Krauss & Union Station, Lyle tarist, singer, manager and tour the Appalachian flat-foot style. of the Year at the Blue Ridge Lovett and Mary Chapin Carpen- coordinator). The group plays a Acoustic Uprising. The band is ter. It recorded with Peter Rowan, lively and entertaining version Moore Brothers Band known for strong songwriting Maura O’Connell, Jerry Douglas of Americana-bluegrass music. Sa, Su and great songs. Members of My and ; appeared on the Most folks are taken aback New Favorites combine a mix ’s “Will The Tim O’Brien when they first see 16-year-old of bluegrass, Americana, rock, Circle Be Unbroken Vol. III;” F, Sa Jacob Moore (mandolin, banjo, gospel, Irish, jazz and classi- and collaborated with Johnny This child of and fiddle), 20-year-old Daniel (bass) cal musical styles into a unique Cash on the “Dead Man Walk- the “WWVA Jamboree” (second and 11-year-old Isaac Moore (gui- sound. Members are Jeff Bene- oldest country music broadcast tar). Together, they weave a musi- ing” soundtrack. Lead singer Pat Nashville Bluegrass Band dict (vocals, songwriting, guitar Enright is one of the voices of in the U.S. and now called the Welcome MerleFest Fans!

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major music festivals. Old Crow Dale Shoemaker on bass; Geof- Heritage Award winner, Jeanette Artists Medicine Show was inducted into frey White on fiddle; and Robert grew up one of eight children continued from Page 22 the historic Grand Ole Opry. And Childers on drums and producer with music ever-present. She won a Grammy for Best Long of both albums. carries forward seven genera- O’Brien’s world as comfortably Form Music Video for the film tions of traditions learned from as family heirlooms. They come “Big Easy Express.” The band’s Joe Penland her mother and sings the songs from around the world, particu- single, “Wagon Wheel,” received F of the mountains in her powerful, larly the American South and the RIAA’s Platinum certification Joe Penland’s award-winning clear voice. Ireland. They morph into new for selling over 1,000,000 copies. Appalachian ballad singing and Missy Raines and The New Hip ideas and new songs that update now has storytelling have made him the F old truths about the human four studio albums. emotional highlight of festivals Missy Raines is a seven-time condition. on both sides of the Atlantic for recipient of the Bass Player of Overmountain Men almost a decade. In 2005, Penland the Year Award from the Inter- Old Crow Medicine Show Su won the national Bluegrass Music Asso- F Named for militia who came Award (named for his cousin and ciation and a former member of Old Crow Medicine Show got its down from the mountains of Jim Jack the founder of the longest con- the Grammy-nominated Claire start busking on street corners in North Carolina, Tennessee and Lauderdale Lawrence tinually running folk festival in Lynch Band and the acclaimed New York state and Canada. The Virginia in 1780 to defeat the Tory America) for “significant contri- duo Jim Hurst & Missy Raines. band ended up in Boone, where it army at Kings Mountain, Over- bution to preserving our moun- She is one of the most respected, caught the attention of folk icon mountain Men is a five-piece band tain music.” The Madison County popular and trailblazing figures Doc Watson while playing in front based in the Charlotte area. The native just completed his seventh in bluegrass. Members of her of a pharmacy. Watson invited band started as a recording proj- tour of the British Isles, singing band are guitarist/co-producer the band to play at MerleFest, ect masterminded and produced the songs and telling the tales of Ethan Ballinger, mandolinist/ helping to launch its career 15 by Bob Crawford of The Avett life in the mountains. acoustic guitarist Jarrod Walker years ago. The band soon moved Brothers in 2009. Crawford and and drummer/percussionist Josh to Nashville for residency at the frontman David Childers have Jeannette Queen Fox. Grand Ole Opry, where it enter- collaborated since then on two F, Sa, Su tained the crowd between shows. albums, “Glorious Day” and “The Jeanette Queen learned to play Red June The band has toured the world, Next Best Thing.” Other players and sing in the Queen family band T, F selling over 800,000 albums, fre- have brought their own talent in Jackson County. Daughter of Red June, an Asheville-based quent appearing on “A Prairie and style into the mix. Randy the late Mary Jane Queen and Red June Home Companion,” and playing Saxon on guitar/banjo/mandolin; Claude Queen, 2007 National Continued on Page 24 Brushy Mountain Big Smokehouse or small, and Creamery We care for Proud Sponsors of MerleFest Them All! 2014! Give your pet the quality veterinary care he or she deserves. We offer state-of-the- Children 4 and under always eat free at the Smokehouse! art medical, dental and surgical service for all types of pets, and our compassionate Welcome MerleFest Fans! vets, technicians and support staff are Look for our Handcrafted Ice Cream at the Shoppes at dedicated to making each and every pet feel MerleFest and look for our trailer near the Dance Tent Award-winning Hickory comfortable and secure. Smoked Barbecue, Ribs, and Chicken Serving Lunch and Dinner Come see us Check Out Our Wednesday-Monday at the Brushy Many Veterinary Services Sunday Buffet 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Mountain Full Service Catering Smokehouse! Call for take-outs Wilkes Veterinary Hospital www.brushymtnsmokehouse.com Lillian W. Royal, DVM 336-667-1109 2nd Street Melissa D. Smith, DVM North Wilkesboro 201 Wilkesboro Boulevard • North Wilkesboro • 667-9464 24 • MerleFest • Wilkes Journal-Patriot • April 2014

grass music. Core members are tar) for Peter Rowan’s Twang An’ Gone,” the advance single from (accordion/guitar), Ben-David War- Artists Kim Robins (vocals, guitar), Spen- Groove. the Dixie Chicks’ chart-topping, ner (fiddle/banjo) and Tim Hepburn continued from Page 23 cer Sallee (guitar), Josh Woods multi-platinum album “Home,” was (percussion). (banjo, vocals), Caleb Edwards Sanctum Sully a Scott composition that had first acoustic trio, performs Ameri- (mandolin, Dobro, vocals), Holden Sa appeared on “Real Time.” It crested The Sigmon Stringers cana music that touches on blue- Stephens (bass) and Richard Tor- Asheville-based Sanctum Sully at No. 2 in the country charts, and F, Sa grass, old-time, and strick (fiddle). consists of Win Webster (guitar, earned Scott a second Grammy The Newton-based three-gen- traditional country with soulful vocals), Dakota Waddell (bass), Jay nomination, this one for Best Coun- eration bluegrass band, The Sig- harmonies, innovative songwrit- Peter Rowan Band Franck (mandolin, vocals), Matt try Song. Scott won the 2007 Song mon Stringers, has something to ing and expert musicianship. F, Sa, Su Mommsen (guitar, vocals) and of the Year award from the Ameri- offer all ages. The original band Red June is comprised of Will Legendary bluegrass singer- Bradley “Chum” Carter (banjo). A cana Music Association for “Hank members Clinton Sigmon, his two Straughan (dobro, guitar, vocals), songwriter and Grammy Award polished five-piece acoustic unit William’s Ghost,” which appears on sons Randy and Mark, and life-long Natalya Weinstein (fiddle, vocals) winner Peter Rowan has been that’s been voted one of Western his 2006 album “The Invisible Man.” friend Ray Barger have been per- performing since 1963, and today forming since the early ’70s. They and John Cloyd Miller (mandolin, North Carolina’s top three blue- he is still making waves in the Scythian performed with Bill Monroe, Les- guitar, vocals). Miller won first grass bands for four years run- in the Chris Austin Songwriting music world. Rowan isn’t one to T, F, Sa ter Flatt, Jimmy Martin and Ralph pigeonhole himself into any par- ning, the members of Sanctum Rousing and raucous, Scyth- Stanley and others. The youngest Contest-Bluegrass Category at Sully grew up as fans of numerous MerleFest 2013. Miller’s grandfa- ticular genre. A solo Peter Rowan ian (sith-ee-yin) plays kicked-up members are Randy’s daughter performance is one for the true genres before ultimately joining Celtic and with hints Anna (banjo) and Mark’s kids, ther, fiddler and former Blue Grass forces in 2008. Boy Jim Shumate, performed at the music lover. Rowan’s bluegrass of Gypsy and Klezmer, all infused Beau (lead guitar, mandolin), Mol- first MerleFest in 1988. Shumate career started as a Blue Grass with a touch of punk-rock sen- lie (mandolin, vocals) and 10-year- Boy in 1964. By Bill Monroe’s own Darrell Scott sibility. Their repertoire ranges old Maggie (fiddle, vocals). was born and raised in Wilkes F, Sa County. admission, Rowan sounded a lot from traditional and contempo- like Monroe. When the two har- Darrell Scott is one of today’s rary Celtic and folk music to the Junior Sisk more successful country song- Del Rey monized together, they were said alluring and dramatic strains of & Ramblers Choice to have reached “heavenly heights.” writers. Tim O’Brien and Scott Gypsy and Eastern European T F, Sa, Su recorded a duo album, “Real Time,” Del Rey plays solo concerts Monroe and Rowan co-wrote what tunes, and then crosses back over IBMA 2013 Male Vocalist of the has already become a bluegrass in 2000. “The Second Mouse,” a the border to pick up some good Year Junior Sisk formed Ramblers worldwide and presents a con- song from the album, was nomi- cert/lecture on women musicians standard, “Walls Of Time.” Rowan old-fashioned bluegrass licks. Choice in 1998, and together they teams up with Mike Morgan (bass), nated for a Grammy Award for Scythian is: Josef Crosby (fiddle/ recorded and released their first called “Women in American Music.” Best Country Instrumental Per- Her guitar playing is influenced by Jaime Oldaker (drums) and Cindy bass), brothers Alexander (fiddle/ formance. In 2002, “Long Time Continued on Page 25 country blues, stride piano, classic Cashdollar (Dobro and steel gui- mandolin) and Danylo Fedoryka jazz and hillbilly boogie. Her latest solo album, “Four and Six,” came out in April 2012.

Carol Rifkin and Paul’s Creek F, Sa, Su Formed on a back porch over- looking Paul’s Creek in Asheville, the Paul’s Creek Band is one of the region’s finest acoustic string bands. The band consists of Jamie Dr. Christy Brown brings eight Soesbee (bass an vocals), Tom Emory Lester Pittman (banjo, Dobro and vocals) Claire years of Audiology experience and Carol Rifkin (guitar, fiddle and Lynch Jeff Little and a professional, compassionate vocals), Carol is an award-winning musician dancer, journalist, public approach to hearing health care! radio host (WNCW) and singer. She hosts the dance stage at MerleF- est and is immersed in mountain Accepting New Patients culture in almost every way. Dr. Christy Brown Please Call Today! Doctor of Audiology Kim Robins and 40 Years Late Sa, Su Kim Robins was born into a life is on musical family. Since releasing her debut CD (“40 Years Late”) in Feb- ruary, Robin’s band, 40 Years Late, has gained attention as a high- energy bluegrass band featuring a collection of talented musicians 100 9th Street, Suite B • North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 and vocalists who share a love for traditional and contemporary blue- Ricky Skaggs Peter Rowan Call (336) 667-4700 MerleFest • Wilkes Journal-Patriot • April 2014 • 25

Leftwich (fiddle), Cody Kilby (lead guitar), Awards. Artists Paul Brewster (tenor vocals, rhythm gui- continued from Page 24 tar), Eddie Faris (baritone vocals, guitar) Joe Smothers and Scott Mulvahill (bass, bass vocals). F, Sa solo album, “Sounds of the Mountains.” Joe Smothers is a native of North Caro- Nominated many times for Male Vocalist Sleepy Man Banjo Boys lina living in . While attending of the Year by the IBMA and Society for the Sa Appalachian State, he met three other Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America, Comprised of brothers Tommy, Robbie musicians and formed the band, Fried Sisk surrounded himself with top notch and Jonny Mizzone from , the Chicken and Watermelon, which did a musicians in Ramblers Choice. They are Sleepy Man Banjo Boys quickly made a show with Doc and Merle Watson. Merle Jason Tomlin (bass, vocals), Johnathan name for themselves as a quick rising took a liking to this group of musicians. Dillon (mandolin, vocals), Billy Hawks act in bluegrass and roots music. When Smothers joined Merle’s band, Frosty Sleepy Man Banjo Boys (fiddle, vocals) and Jason Davis (banjo, younger brother Jonny was 9, J.D. Crowe Morn, and recorded and played shows vocals). Their latest CD is, “The Story of was so impressed with his banjo talent with Doc. Joe also joined Jack Lawrence the Day That I Died.” that he called him “an old midget,” say- to form the duo Smothers and Lawrence ing there was no way a kid could play for a recording project and touring. Joe Ricky Skaggs the instrument with such prowess. They is writing songs and one won an award in and Kentucky Thunder appeared on “The Late Show with David 2007 at the Kansas Sa Letterman,” “Huckabee” and “The Today in Winfield. Ricky Skaggs struck his first chords Show;” played Carnegie Hall and per- on a mandolin over 50 years ago, and by formed at the . Todd Snider age 21 was already considered a master F of one of America’s most demanding art Steve and Ruth Smith Singer/songwriter Todd Snider first forms. Today, this 14-time Grammy Award T, F, Sa garnered attention for his timely alt-rock Beth Molaro Jim Mills winner continues to do his part to lead the Steve and Ruth Smith from western satire “Talkin’ Seattle Grunge Rock Blues,” recent roots revival in music and remains North Carolina return to MerleFest with a folk-rock song released on his debut he returned to his singer/songwriter roots one of the most respected and beloved their blend of Appalachian Americana album, “Songs for the Daily Planet,” in with “Happy to Be Here.” New albums fol- bluegrass performers in the genre, the music with Celtic roots, featuring ham- 1994. Snider and his band, the Nervous lowed each year between 2002 and 2006. gifted Skaggs creates diverse and master- mered dulcimer, mountain dulcimer, guitar Wrecks, forged their own sound on “Step Snider’s 2008 release was “Peace Queer,” ful tones that come from a life dedicated and banjo. They were named Americana Right Up.” On “Viva Satellite” (1998), Snider a collection of antiwar songs, followed by to playing music. The all-star lineup of Instrumental Group of the Year at the 2013 replaced much of his acoustic setup with Skaggs’ Kentucky Thunder includes Andy Appalachian Cultural Music Association twang-drenched electric guitar. In 2000, Continued on Page 26 Welcome To MerleFest ! Join Us and Enjoy Our MerleFest Specials! Monday through Friday 6:00 AM to 336-667-6008 Fax Your Order 336-667-6009 6:00 PM 1200 Central Street • Wilkesboro, NC MERLEFEST SUNDAY BREAKFAST SPECIAL 1915 West Park Drive • Suite 200 ITTLE F VERYTHING A L O E ! MONDAY-FRIDAY 6 - 11 AM OPEN AT North Wilkesboro 336-667-2541 American • Breakfast • Burgers • Greek $ 99 7:00 AM • Grills • Italian • Salads 2 • Sandwiches • Seafood 2 Eggs • Meat of the Day AND • Grits/Gravy or Hashbrowns STAYING LATE MONDAY-SATURDAY 6 AM - 9 PM •Biscuit or Toast Welcome MerleFest Fans For all your real estate needs contact Terrie! Cell 336-984-8873 Changing how you live, not where you live. OFFICE: 336-667-1966 Ext. 608 A safe environment for adults who can’t safely stay at home by themselves during the day. HOME: 336-838-4060 An affordable alternative to in-home care, assisted living or nursing home care! Email: [email protected] FREE TRIAL VISIT Medicaid To search any listing in Wilkes MLS You choose the days and hours that best suit your needs! Terrie Stackhouse and VA Realtor • Broker www.stackhousehomes.com www.wilkesadultdaycare.org Approved 26 • MerleFest • Wilkes Journal-Patriot • April 2014

into the International Bluegrass Music Jesse Stockton Artists Hall of Honor in 1992 and the Grand Ole and Moonlight Co. continued from Page 25 Opry in 2000. He received his first Grammy T, F for Best Male Country Vocal Performance Jesse Stockton has been a singer and “The Excitement Plan” in 2009. in 2002 for his haunting rendition of “Oh songwriter for 17 years. He made his home Death.” base in Wilmington because of the people Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen and the ocean. after many years living Sa The Steel Wheels on the road playing music, either with When a mandolin, guitar or violin is in F, Sa friends or going it alone, surviving off Frank Solivan’s hands, you hear power, Based in the Blue Ridge Mountains the kindness of others through the tip volume, crispness, clarity, timing, taste, of Virginia, tge Steele Wheels combines jar. Moonlight Co. was founded by Jesse Mark Newton passion and drive. Mike Munford, a hidden old-time musical traditions with their Stockton. and Steve Thomas Tal Naccarato treasure of the five-string banjo world, innovative sound. Trent Wagler’s tenor to call him “a guitarist to be reckoned grew up in the ‘60s and ‘70s in the blue- is joined by four-part harmonies inspired Nora Jane Struthers with.” It was a remarkable welcome for a grass hotbed of Baltimore and D.C. When by a shared Mennonite heritage. Add to & The Party Line young musician. By high school gradua - Munford plays you hear power, drive, this Eric Brubaker’s lively and evocative Sa, Su tion, he was immersed in bluegrass, jazz impeccable timing, exquisite tone and jaw- fiddle, Brian Dickel’s grounded yet buoy- Nora Jane Struthers & The Party Line and , playing in an array of dropping technique. Danny Booth grew up ant upright bass, and Jay Lapp’s signa- are a traveling carnival of acoustic Ameri- bands and making his first recordings. in a thriving bluegrass and country music ture mandolin style, and it’s no surprise cana. The Party Line includes Joe Overton He added mandolin, banjo and fiddle to his family in Alaska. Danny soon graduated that The Steel Wheels have burst onto (clawhammer banjo, harmony vocals), considerable guitar abilities. In 1995, Sutton to join his dad in the . the Americana scene, becoming festival Drew Lawhorn (drums), Nick DiSebastian joined Ricky Skaggs’ “Kentucky Thunder.” In favorites and selling out venues across (upright bass, guitar) and Jack Devereux 1999, he retired from Kentucky Thunder to S.C. Broadcasters the country. For three years the band has (fiddle). devote himself to recording work..” F performed an annual SpokeSongs bicycle Ivy Sheppard (fiddle, banjo, guitar, music tour, during which band members Bryan Sutton Sutton, Holt and Coleman vocals), Sarah Osborne (banjo, vocals) tow their instruments, equipment, and F, Sa F, Sa, Su and David Sheppard (guitar, vocals) are merchandise from one gig to another via Bryan Sutton of Asheville seemed to There is a deep river of traditional music busy creating their own musical legacy bicycle. come out of nowhere as part of Ricky running through North Carolina. Grammy while carrying on the East Tennessee Skaggs’ return to bluegrass in 1997. An Award winners David Holt, Bryan Sutton tradition of hard-driving rhythms and Steep Canyon Rangers appearance on Tina Adair’s, “Just You close harmony singing. Drawing their T, F Wait And See” (Sugar Hill) led a reviewer Continued on Page 27 inspiration from the Carter Family and Fresh off their 2013 Grammy win for early country duos, the Charleston, S.C.- Best Bluegrass Album for “Nobody Knows based trio aims to keep alive the roots of You,” the Steep Canyon Rangers from American traditional music. From fiddle Asheville are living, picking proof that tunes to gospel favorites to originals, the bluegrass music can adapt to its times band’s performance will take you back in Wilkes without losing its history and that art- time while making traditional music at istry plus dedication can launch a major home in the 21st century. career. In 10 years (a short spell in blue- Hardware grass), this five-piece band graduated from stairwell jams at UNC-Chapel Hill Dr. Ralph Stanley and the to America’s greatest stages, including Clinch Mountain Boys the Grand Ole Opry and a national tour Sa with . The four founding The stark emotional urgency in Ralph Rangers—lead singer/guitarist Woody Welcomes Stanley’s voice is rooted in a darker time. Platt, mandolinist Mike Guggino, bassist Preserved in the cultural amber of remote Charles R. Humphrey III and banjo player , this terse, forlorn sound is the Graham Sharp—added fiddler Nicky Sand- You To bedrock of Stanley’s inimitable style. Now ers in 2007. 87, Stanley has been performing profes- sionally since he and his older brother, Jon Stickley Trio Carter, formed a band in their native T, F southwestern Virginia in 1946. Between Jon Stickley Trio plays a style of music that date and 1966, when Carter died, the that defies description. Stickley’s guitar Stanley Brothers and the Clinch Mountain style has evolved from bluegrass flatpick- MerleFest 2014 Boys became one of the most celebrated ing into his own sound that spans from bluegrass groups in the world, rivaling in soft harmonic chimes to straight-up shred- popularity such titans as Bill Monroe and ding. The band features Lyndsay Pruett Flatt & Scruggs. In 1976 Stanley received on violin, who conjures up bewildering 336-838-4632 an honorary doctorate of music from Lin- sounds reminiscent of Stephane Grap- coln Memorial University in Harrogate, pelli. On percussion, Patrick Armitage 324 10th Street, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 Tenn. In 1984 he was the recipient of the brings the heat with an unstoppable hip- National Heritage Award given by Presi- hop groove. Mon., Tues., Fri. 7:30 am-5 pm • Wed. & Sat. 7:30 am-12 Noon dent Ronald Reagan. Stanley was inducted MerleFest • Wilkes Journal-Patriot • April 2014 • 27

his association with musicians Artists like Norman Blake, Roland and ToneBlazers continued from Page 26 , Su and Vassar Clements, to play- ToneBlazers’ repertoire is an and T. Michael Coleman explore ing in Roy Acuff’s band at the Americana mix of their own origi- the richness of that musical cul- Grand Ole Opry nal material. The ToneBlazers’ ture. Each has been inspired by Auditorium, to opening doors third album, “Gold Rush Town,” Sutton, and performed with Doc Watson for young fiddler Mark O’Connor was released in September. Jack Holt and over the years. Holt spent the last on his first trip to Nashville, to Lawrence (guitar, vocals) is a guitar Coleman 35 years collecting and performing involvement with the Grammy- powerhouse. Jack has played with traditional music from Southern winning recording, “The Great Carl Story, the 1970s “newgrass” The Niall Toner Band is a trio released in 2012. Grammy-winner mountaineers. Sutton has been Dobro Sessions. ” movement bands New Deal String from the Blackstairs Mountains of Mike Bub aligned with the group called the finest acoustic guitarist Band and Bluegrass Alliance, and Ireland whose musical philosophy to produce “Leave the Bottle” as in America. He is five-time winner Time Sawyer in 1983 Jack accepted a job with is firmly based on the concept of well as their third release “Steady of the IBMA Guitarist of the Year Su Doc Watson, touring and recording writing, recording and perform- Operator.” Award and in 2007 won a Grammy Elkin-based Time Sawyer with the master for over 25 years. ing new songs and tunes in the Award with Doc Watson for Best blends a grassroots feel with Jim Ashton (pedal steel guitar, bluegrass and traditional acous- Happy Traum Instrumental. Bassist Coleman heart-felt lyrics to put on a high banjo) is the ultimate utility-man tic country genres. The band was F, Sa played with Doc and Merle Watson energy entertaining show. The among the songwriting circuit. founded by Niall in 2001 with Clem Happy Traum began playing gui- for 17 years as well as with Seldom band honors its rural Jim’s silk-sound pedal steel guitar, O’Brien and Dick Gladney. The trio tar and five-string banjo as a teen- Scene and Chesapeake. roots while also exploring the fusion-brained banjo and original performs a set of all-original songs ager and was an active participant changes that time brings. Lead compositions are all stout. Billy and instrumentals.. of the legendary Tut Taylor vocalist Sam Tayloe and lead gui- Gee (bass, vocals) is the consum- folk scene of the 1950s and ‘60s. T, F, Sa, Su tarist Kurt Layell recorded an mate bassist. He rocked with Bo Town Mountain Happy first appeared on record It began near the banks of the acoustic EP together in 2009, but Diddley and toured with bluegrass Sa at a historic session in 1963 when Oconee River in Baldwin County, the addition in 2010 of Houston legend Charlie Waller as a member Asheville-based Town Mountain a group of young folk musicians, Ga., about the time of World War Norris (banjo) and Clay Stirewalt of . Dale is Robert Greer (vocals, guitar), including Bob Dylan, , II. A young Tut Taylor taught (drums) allowed them to create Meyer (electric/acoustic/resonator Jesse Langlais (banjo, vocals), Phil Pete Seeger, Peter LaFarge and himself to play a Dobro with a a richer sound. Time Sawyer’s guitars, vocals) fronts the band. Barker (mandolin, vocals), Bobby The Freedom Singers, gathered in flatpick. The resulting sound first album, “Time for a Change,” Britt (fiddle) and Rob Parks (upright ’ studio for an was fresh and unique, and it placed high on WNCW’s list of Niall Toner Band bass). Town Mountain’s fourth became Tut’s trademark. From Top 20 Regional Albums of 2011. Sa, Su album, “Leave the Bottle,” was Continued on Page 29

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vocals), Chris Williamson (bass, Original members of the WBT Artists vocals), Harry Clark (mandolin, Briarhoppers were Johnny McAl- continued from Page 27 vocals) and Jeff Partin (Dobro, gui- lister, Big Bill Davis, Don White, tar, vocals). While Volume Five is Thorpe Westerfield, Clarence a traditional band, their soulful Etters and Jane Bartlett. The album called Broadside, Vol.1. singing, dead-on harmonies and last original 1934 Briarhopper, precision picking set them apart Don White, died in 2003. Billie The Travelin’ McCourys from other bands of this style. Burton Daniel, who joined the F group in 1936, is alive and well in The Waybacks No other band today has the Waybacks Wilmington. WBT Briarhoppers’ appearances with in the for theater and video projects same credentials for playing tra- F, Sa fans have included Bill Monroe, festival’s early years. He and Joan as well as a Booklist honored ditional and progressive music The San Francisco-based Way- Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs (who specialize in down-home harmo- recording of original songs for as the Travelin’ McCourys. As backs draw freely from old school filled in on banjo a few times), nies, with Joan’s soulful singing children. Helen is the founder the sons of bluegrass legend and the old world, but the Way- Curly Seckler, , set off by Pete’s masterful banjo and served as regional director Del McCoury, Ronnie (mando- backs are no throwback. They’ve Buddy Holly and others. work. Wernick is known for his of the Junior Appalachian Musi- lin) and Rob (banjo) continue been erroneously pigeonholed as a best-selling instruction books, cians (JAM) program from the their father’s work. With fiddler bluegrass band and celebrated as Charles Welch videos and workshops. Joan has program’s inception in February and bassist Alan purveyors of “acoustic mayhem. Sa, Su hosted a bluegrass radio show 2000 to June 2013. Bartram, the ensemble is loved “The whole spirit of improvisa- Charles Welch is a longtime since 1978. The two host bluegrass and respected by the bluegrass tion—that’s always been the cor- friend, neighbor and picking pal camps, including their annual “flag- Roland White faithful. They can push forward nerstone of this band for me,” said of . He has been ship” MerleFest Jam Camp at the Sa so far because their roots are so founding singer, songwriter and a frequent guest at the homes of YMCA of Greater Charlotte’s Camp Roland White is known as one deep. guitarist James Nash. “Through all Richard and Doc and RosaLee Herring Ridge for four days before of the few unique stylists on the the stylistic changes and regardless and often went on the road with each festival. mandolin, with his own unmis- Volume Five of the instruments we’re playing, to either or both of them, sharing takable sound and touch. White F me the fun of this band has always their love of blues and mountain Helen White has played in some of the most Volume Five is an exciting been that in some ways I can do music. F influential and popular groups bluegrass band blazing their own whatever I feel like doing at any A singer, fiddler, guitarist and in the music’s history. White red-hot trail on the music scene. moment.” Pete and Joan Wernick tunesmith, Helen White has and his brothers, Eric and Clar- This group of talented perform - F, Sa, Su toured extensively with Wayne ence, performed as The Country ers consists of Glen Harrell (fid- WBT Briarhoppers Pete and Joan Wernick are Mer- Henderson in the U.S. and Europe. dle, vocals), Patton Wages (banjo, Sa leFest regulars going back to Pete’s Her compositions include works Continued on Page 30 Northwest Automotive, LLC Proud Supporter of

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tar. Williams has released nearly Zephyr Lightning Bolts Artists an album a year ever since one F, Sa, Su continued from Page 29 apiece in 1994, 1996 and 1998. The Zephyr Lightning Bolts are a traditional old-time band from Zephyr Boys. After a two-year U.S. Army Tony Williamson Wilkes County. The group is com- Lightning enlistment, White re-joined The F, Sa prised of Steve Bowen (bass, lead Bolts Country Boys, now renamed The Mandolin virtuoso Tony vocals), wife Diane (vocals, claw- Kentucky Colonels. Williamson of Ramseur has hammer banjo), son Jacob (fiddle, dazzled audiences for many vocals) and Chester McMillian Shannon Whitworth years, performing around the (guitar). Chester has played with F world on stage and in the stu- the legends of the Round Peak Banjo-wielding songstress dio with Alison Krauss, Earl musicians for many decades and Shannon Whitworth’s swoon- Scruggs, Tony Rice, Vassar was recently the recipient of the Keller inducing style found its first Clements, David Grisman, Brown Hudson Award. They play Williams showcase in her 2007 solo Sam Bush, , tunes for flatfooting, ballads for and the Blake debut, “No Expectations.” Her Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Douglas, waltzes and two-steps, and McCourys Williams 2009 critically-acclaimed “Water Robin and Linda Williams and reels for square dances, Virginia Bound” garnered Whitworth others. Reels and old gospel songs. HURRY IN FOR INCREDIBLE INTRODUCTORY OFFERS! praise in outlets ranging from People magazine to Garden & Gun. Whitworth’s latest release is “High Tide.” Serta’sSerta s BEST BEDSBEDS Blake Williams Sa REINVENTEDEINVENT An accomplished musician on several instruments, Blake for 2014 Williams has been a profes - sional bluegrass musician for over 34 years. He played banjo for and the Nash- ville Grass until Lester’s death in 1979. Blake went on to work with Bill Monroe, for 10 years, making him Monroe’s longest Choose Gel Memory Foam or Hybrid Technology - Serta makes it easy! tenured banjo player. NEW for 2014!

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