MerleFest 25 Announces Lineup

Posted by Melanie Agee on 11/14/2011
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The initial lineup for MerleFest 25, presented by Lowe’s, has been announced. The music festival is slated for April 26-29, 2012 and will once again take place on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, N.C. MerleFest will be celebrating their 25th year of their annual homecoming of musicians and music fans to gather and celebrate the memory of musician Eddy Merle Watson, beloved son of American music icon Doc Watson.

 
The festival is known for their eclectic choice of artists from traditional, roots-oriented music from the Appalachian region to blues, Cajun, zydeco, rock and many more.
 
“This year’s initial lineup will bring back a little nostalgia for the core MerleFest audience, those fans who return year after year to hear the traditional sounds of roots music. We have some of the leading names in the music industry, of today and yesteryear, lined up to perform at the historic 25th festival,” says Ted Hagaman, director of the festival. “The MerleFest 25 lineup is made up of many of the artists who have helped make this festival the premier, internationally-recognized event that it has become. And, we are thrilled to welcome back that core fan base that has been with us for the ride all along… and welcome a whole new generation of fans to experience the music, moments and memories that make MerleFest so special.”
 
The following artists will join host Doc Watson at MerleFest 25:
 
Richard Watson
Susana and Timmy Abell
Alberti Flea Circus
Banknotes
Blind Boy Chocolate and The Milk Sheiks
Roy Book Binder
Laura Boosinger
The Boxcars
Jeffery Broussard and The Creole Cowboys
Buffalo Barfield
Sam Bush
T. Michael Coleman
Dailey & Vincent
The Deep Dark Woods
Dehlia Low
Donna the Buffalo
Casey Driessen
Enter The Haggis
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, the Original Lineup
Mary Flower
The Gibson Brothers
The Greencards
Mitch Greenhill
Stefan Grossman
Wayne Henderson
Bob Hill
David Holt
The Honeycutters
Sierra Hull and Highway 111
The InterACTive Theater of Jef
Fruteland Jackson
Johnson’s Crossroad
Jubal’s Kin
Kickin Grass Band
The Kruger Brothers
Jim Lauderdale
Jack Lawrence
Jeff Little
The Local Boys
Lost Bayou Ramblers
Claire Lynch Band
Dougie MacLean
Bill Mathis
Andy May
Cliff Miller
Misty River
Nashville Bluegrass Band
The Neighbors
Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile
Red June
Tony Rice
Michael Roach
Peter Rowan and the Free Mexican Airforce
Jonathan Scales Fourchestra
Scythian
The Sigmon Stringers
Sims Country Cloggers
Steve and Ruth Smith
Joe Smothers
Snyder Family Band
The Steel Wheels
Steep Canyon Rangers
Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives
Tut Taylor
Tedeschi Trucks Band
ToneBlazers
Happy Traum
Pete and Joan Wernick
The Wild Rumpus
Tony Williamson
Wylie & The Wild West
Zephyr Lightning Bolts          
 
“The initial lineup is already incredibly exciting and diverse, but it is dynamic. We will be adding to the lineup in the days and months to come,” says Hagaman. “MerleFest fans can get up-to-the-minute lineup additions and other festival news through our social media ventures. So, staying in touch with us via our electronic newsletter, website (www.merlefest.org), Facebook and Twitter is crucial.”
 
Ticket sales for MerleFest 25 will open on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 2 PM EST. Ticket purchases can be made on the web at www.merlefest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857. With the estimated 90 acts performing on 14 stages during the course of the event, MerleFest is an entertainment value. An early bird ticket discount is available through March 12, 2012.