APRIL 16, 2009 ISSUE
Nothing Could Be Finer Than To Be at MerleFest
Forget the fact that the entire High Country was just blanketed in snow. IT’S TIME FOR MERLEFEST!!!
Regardless of our recent exciting weather escapades, spring is here, Wilkes County is in bloom and musicians will be streaming into the foothills by the dozens from all over the United States and beyond to deliver four glorious days of Americana, bluegrass, old-time, folk, blues and roots music.
The 22nd installment of MerleFest will again feature the festival’s exciting blend of old favorites like Doc Watson, Tony Rice, Peter Rowan and Emmylou Harris, with fresh performances by the likes of up-and-comers including The Carolina Chocolate Drops, Scythian, The Belleville Outfit, Tift Merritt and many more.
Whether you’re planning on camping out for the entire weekend or you just need a single day of great music to put you right, the nation’s best Americana festival is just down the road and bursting with talent.
High Country Press Staff Picks
While all of us here at the High Country Press love to take in the festival experience together, we don’t necessarily stick together once inside the MerleFest gates. Below are a few recommendations from each of us to mark on your festival schedule. If you miss them, don’t say we didn’t tell you!
Dave’s Picks
The Duhks
The Duhks with Jim Lauderdale and Peter Rowan
Friday, 10:45 a.m.
Watson Stage
Besides being one of Rosalee Watson’s favorite bands, The Duhks have made the leap from Canadian curiosity to MerleFest mainstays. Over the last four years, the passionate, genre-blurring band has wowed audiences big and small with their high-energy blend of folk, rock and Celtic styles. With Jim Lauderdale and Peter Rowan along for the ride, The Duhks ought to really take flight!
The Bellville Outfit
New Generation Super Jam featuring The Steel Drivers, The Bellville Outfit, Dixie Beeliners, Cadillac Sky and The Farewell Drifters
Saturday, 10:45 a.m.
Watson Stage
While there are some shows at MerleFest like Mando Mania and the Midnight Jam that draw huge crowds, the New Generation Super Jam is developing into one of those do-not-miss events. Packed with young talent aching to stake their claim and establish themselves as more than flashes in the festival pan, the New Generation Super Jam is full of superb, spontaneous picking and singing by the stars of tomorrow.
Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris
Saturday, 7:45 p.m.
Watson Stage
Arguably the most graceful and powerful symbol of Americana music, Emmylou Harris is in a class all by herself. In recent years, the Grammy-winning former partner of Gram Parsons has wowed MerleFest audiences with star-laden bands and riveting readings of her classic material. If you miss Emmylou at MerleFest, the terrorists have already won.
Sam’s Picks
The Del McCoury Band
The Del McCoury Band
Friday, 7:45 p.m.
Watson Stage
I first heard Del McCoury’s lonesome voice and bouncy blend of bluegrass when he shared the stage with Phish in Oswego, New York, for three memorable performances in summer 1999. I was immediately impressed with the North Carolina native’s rich, sincere sound, and how the traditionally trained Del traded off with the contemporary picking styles of his sons Rob and Ronnie. This marks only the second time in five years the band has played MerleFest so I encourage you to join me on Friday to do some barefoot dancing with the best of them.
Donna the Buffalo
Donna The Buffalo
Friday, 10:00 p.m.
Dance Tent
Donna the Buffalo is just catchy; and their live show contains enough funk, soul and tears mixed with jolting hits of New Orleans zydeco to make these guys a perfect, raging end to a hot MerleFest day. And besides, Donna The Buffalo now features Western North Carolina music mainstay Jay Sanders on bass, who is fresh off a run with local favorites Acoustic Syndicate.
The Waybacks
The Waybacks
Saturday, 5:00 p.m.
Hillside Stage
If you heard one story from MerleFest 2008, chances are it was about The Waybacks’ Hillside Album Hour set with John Cowan, Jeff Autry, Shad Cobb, Pete Wernick, Tom Rozum, Betse Ellis and Phil Wade. By the time the dream team finished covering Led Zeppelin II in its entirety, hundreds packed the hillside, mouths agape, begging for more. Witout a doubt, James Nash, Warren Hood, Chuck Hamilton and Joe Kyle, Jr. have something equally impressive cooked up for 2009.
Anna’s Picks
Scythian
Scythian
Thursday, 10:30 p.m.
Dance Tent
After seeing Scythian get the entire crowd at Canyons off their feet a couple of months ago, you can bet I won’t miss another chance to hear their wildly energetic blend of Celtic gypsy rock. They’ll be performing all four days of the festival, but if you can stay up a little late, try to make it to what I’m certain will be a raucous 10:30 p.m. show at the Dance Tent on Thursday. You ladies especially won’t regret it, because these boys are plenty easy on the eyes!
Polecat Creek
Friday, 4:00 p.m.
Austin Stage
After missed opportunities to catch this band at MerleFests past, I’m determined to do it this year. If you enjoy foot-tappin’ old-time music, beautiful harmonies and great songwriting, join me at the intimate setting of the Austin Stage to hear Polecat Creek. If we’re lucky, clawhammer banjo player Riley Baugus will have the audience rolling with his hilarious jokes and stories.
Mando Mania
Saturday, 3:15 p.m.
Creekside Stage
Second only to the fiddle, the mandolin is one of my favorite bluegrass instruments. For years, the “Mando Mania” jam on Saturday has been a must-do on my MerleFest list. The best in mandolin talent at the festival get together to play familiar tunes, cut up on stage and show off their licks—no banjos or guitars allowed. Get there early—there will be a crowd.
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