2 • MerleFest • Wilkes Journal-Patriot • April, 2017 Lineup focuses on 30th Festival packed with special collaborations Twitter (@MerleFest) and Facebook. Use hashtag But there’s plenty new #MerleFest to connect with other festivalgoers There are numerous special musical sets scheduled at this years on social media. MerleFest, plus fans can expect more to occur when talented at MerleFest 2017 In addition to musical performances, MerleFest artists gather for the weekend. offers special activities and shopping options. Those officially planned include: The year is the 30th anniversary of MerleFest, The Shoppes at MerleFest is a centrally-located a milestone that brings many favorite artists back shopping village that features demonstrating arti- On Friday to the festival’s stages for fresh collaborations and sans, vendors, convenience foods, official Mer- • 12: 15-1 p.m., Mayes Pit/Cohn Auditorium, History of Mer- special events. leFest memorabilia and services such as first aid, leFest with “B” Townes, former festival director; “We focused the MerleFest 2017 lineup on honor- lost and found, and Internet access. • 1:15-2:15 p.m. Creekside Stage, Pete Wernick’s Flexigrass ing artists who have performed with Doc Watson The Dance Stage will feature various workshops Jam with Del McCoury, David Holt, Nicky Sanders, Joan Wernick, over the last 30 years of the festival,” said Steve and dance instruction with plenty of opportunities Charlie Muench, Darin and Brooke Aldridge and Mike Ashworth; Johnson, MerleFest artist relations manager. for festival attendees to cut loose with an array of • 1:15-2 p.m., Walker Center, Jack Lawrence’s MerleFest “This was also a way to showcase the bands our music styles, and the Mayes Pit/Cohn Auditorium Veterans Jam with Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Joe Smothers, T. fans have continuously requested over the years.” in Thompson Hall will be devoted to a variety of Michael Coleman, Peter Rowan and Pat McInerney; Johnson said as many musicians as possible workshops and demonstrations. • 3:45 -4:30 p.m., Walker Center, Docabilly Blues Blowout from the first festival were “reunited “ this year. The Songwriters Showcase Coffeehouse at the hosted by Mitch Greenhill with special guests T. Michael Cole- For example, the “Reunion Jam” from 3:15-4 p.m. Austin Stage in Alumni Hall offers a venue where man, Jeff Little, Jorma Kaukonen, Jim Avett, Tara Nevins, Jeb Saturday will include Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, songwriters can showcase their original songs. Puryear and Pat McInerney; Béla Fleck, Mark Schatz and Bryan Sutton on The Pickin’ Place provides musicians of all • 5:15-6 p.m., Hillside Stage, Steep Canyon Rangers with the Watson Stage. All five performed at the first levels and genres to meet old friends and make Del McCoury; festival. Bush, Fleck and Douglas were among the new ones while singing and playing their favorite • 6:30-8:30 p.m., Watson Stage, the Transatlantic Sessions members of New Grass Revival then. tunes together. Bush and Douglas, along with Peter Rowan, Jack Tour with Jerry Douglas and Aly Bain, featuring James Taylor Lawrence and Joe Smothers, have never missed For children and families and more; being on the festival lineup. MerleFest is meant to be a fun, educational • 10:30 to midnight, Dance Stage, Chatham County Line Many special sets will pay tribute to the music experience for children, too. They can play music Electric Holiday. and life of Doc Watson, whose influence remains through MerleFest’s Instrument Petting Zoo, plus strong on the festival he helped start in memory of there are many performances gearred for children On Saturday his son and musical partner, Merle Watson. and entire families on the Little Pickers Stage. • noon-1:30 p.m., Creekside Stage, Memories of The Watson “We are indeed very excited to have a few new The Little Pickers Family Area is enhanced with Family hosted by T. Michael Coleman with Watson Family Friends; things to bring to the stages” this year, added crafts, face-painting, games, storytelling and a • 1-2:30 p.m., Hillside Stage, The Avett Brothers present “Songs Johnson. large grassy play area, all free of charge. of Doc Watson;” This includes the Transatlantic Sessions Tour Because of MerleFest’s emphasis on families, •2-2:45 p.m., Creekside Stage, Mando Mania, featuring Sam on Friday, with Jerry Douglas and Aly Bain and many children have grown up among the MerleFest Bush, Tony Williamson, Drin Aldridge, Sierra Hull, Casey Camp- featuring James Taylor and other guests. stages and later brought their own kids back to bell and Tommy Norris. Festival Director Ted Hagaman said this two- participate in this legendary weekend of music. • 3:15-4 p.m., Watson Stage, Reunion Jam with Sam Bush, hour show will be the 10th Transatlantic Session, The festival supports youth who already play Jerry Douglas, Béla Fleck, Mark Schatz and Bryan Sutton; and the first filmed in the U.S. The others were music by providing them with performance oppor- • 3:45-4:45 p.m., Chris Austin Stage, Crossing Borders: Ameri- filmed in the United Kingdom. tunities in the Acoustic Kids Showcases hosted can and Canadian Artists in the Round with Ken Tizzard, Joe Hagaman said Watson talked to Taylor about by musician Andy May and held on Friday and Smothers, Sarah Burton, Chris Jones, Megan Nash and Jim Avett; performing at MerleFest over the years but it never Saturday of MerleFest. • 4:15-5:45 p.m., Hillside Stage, Hillside Album Hour with happened until now. Also at MerleFest, a yoga class will be offered The Waybacks; He said fans can expect Taylor to perform several on Friday at 9:30 a.m. on the Dance Stage. The • 6:30-7:15 p.m., Americana Stage, Jack Lawrence’s Guitar of the songs he is best knoswn for, as well as join Nature Walks of the gardens and forest on the Jam with Bryan Sutton, Steve Lewis, Tommy Edwards and Ste- in with other artists in this special set. WCC campus are offered on Friday, Saturday phen Mougin; This 30th anniversary is sure to be a special and Sunday. • 6:30-7:45 p.m., Hillside Stage, Sunset Jam with the Kruger four days, said Johnson “and we hope something “For those wanting an affordable weekend Brothers; that would make Doc, RosaLee and Merle proud.” getaway, MerleFest provides a true value to its • 9:45-11:15 p.m., Watson Stage, Donna the Buffalo’s Saturday The new MerleFest Museum with photos, video customers,” said Hagaman. “The admission prices Night Jam with special guests; and mementos of past festivals will be open to offer are extremely reasonable – especially considering • 10:30 p.m. to midnight, Dance Stage, Front Country’s Satur- festival-goers the chance to appreciate MerleFest’s that we feature over 100 acts on 13 stages. Also, day Night Throw Down; deep-rooted history. there are no hidden charges,” he said. Video clips from past MerleFests will play peri- There is free parking, free shuttles that deliver On Sunday odically on the large screen near the Watson Stage. you to the entrance, a free program guide and all • 10-10:45 a.m., Creekside Stage, Gospel Songs of Doc Watson The complete lineup and stage schedules are children 12 and under are admitted free with a with the Jeff Little Trio; posted at merlefest.org/lineup and available on paid adult. • 10-11 a.m., Americana Stage, Sunday Blues with Roy Book the MerleFest mobile app, which includes festival Window World, based in North Wilkesboro, is Binder, Jorma Kaukonen, Charles Welch and Todd Albright; updates in real time. Updates are also delivered via the presenting sponsor of MerleFest. • 4:15-5:45 p.m., Watson Stage, Zac Brown Band Acoustic Set. MerleFest • Wilkes Journal-Patriot • April, 2017 • 3 Basics on parking, seating, shuttle services and more at MerleFest Free parking and shuttle services are provided from the Blue Lot, located off N.C. 268 West in Wilkesboro, to the main festival entrance at Wilkes Community College. The Blue Lot is also an easy half-mile walk to the festival grounds. General admission seating is first-come, first-served and is located at all stages. At the Watson Stage, general admission seating is located directly behind the reserved seating area. Children ages 12 and younger are admitted free of charge when accompanied by a paying adult except in the reserved seating area where a four-day reserved STEP UP TO GMC WITH THESE seating wristband is required regardless of age. Four-day reserved seats are located in front of the Watson Stage with chairs EXCEPTIONAL OFFERS provided and set up prior to the festival. Seating has been arranged to meet relevant codes and to provide comfort and safety. Unoccupied reserved seats may be used by anyone before evening break or until the owner returns. Special wristbands are required for entry to the reserved BELOW seating area after dinner break. 1 Children 12 and under get front-of-house seating at the Little Pickers Stage. MSRP To protect the grounds, all chairs and blankets must be removed daily except the festival-owned chairs in reserved seating area. Chairs are provided at some ON SELECT16% 2017 SIERRA 1500 CREW CAB AND ACADIA VEHICLES IN STOCK of the other stages or you may bring your own. An on-site overnight storage and lost and found tent is available free of charge in The Shoppes at MerleFest. $3,552 FACTORY REDUCTION BELOW MSRP + $5,452 PURCHASE CASH For persons with appropriate government-issued handicapped parking creden- tials, special parking is available at Parking Lot H, which is at 127 Executive Drive $ in Wilkesboro.