It’s that time of year again… Spring has sprung, and MerleFest 2011 is right around the corner. Founded back in 1988, MerleFest has become one of the premiere music festivals in the country. The event is a fundraiser for Wilkes Community College, and honors the memory of the late bluegrass legend, and North Carolina Native, Eddy Merle Watson. The event takes place on the Wilkes Community College campus in Wilkesboro NC, April 28th thru May 1st. If you’ve never been to MerleFest you are missing one of the best music events North Carolina has to offer. Each time I go I am impressed with just how well of a job the folks do putting on this festival.
“When Merle and I started out we called our music ‘traditional-plus,’ meaning the traditional music of the Appalachian region plus whatever other styles we were in the mood to play. Since the beginning, the people of the college and I have agreed that the music of MerleFest is ‘traditional-plus’” said Doc Watson, North Carolina Icon, and father of Merle Watson. “Traditional Plus” is definitely what the people get. The 2011 line up is solid as ever with folks like Robert Plant and the Band of Joy, Del McCoury Band, The Doobie Bros, Donna The Buffalo, Emmitt-Nershi Band, Lyle Lovett, Randy Travis, Tony Rice Unit, Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, and tons more…
The event is spread over a large area and offers something for everyone… there are several different stages, vendor tents, activities for kids, raffles, and nature walks too. Some real highlights I suggest are the Midnight Jam, Pickin’ Place, and Sunday Morning at the main stage just to name a few. It’s a great venue for the entire family to get out, hear some awesome music, enjoy springtime in North Carolina, and create some new memories with family and friends…
Artist Line Up…
http://www.merlefest.org/Lineup/
Stage Schedules…
http://www.merlefest.org/Schedules/
How to get there…
http://www.merlefest.org/GettingHere/
Any other info you may want…
http://www.merlefest.org/default.aspx
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