Merlefest occurs every year on the last weekend in April. In fact, for the past 25 years people from all over have gathered on the campus of Wilkes Community College to celebrate the local and global sounds of bluegrass. In fact it is really bluegrass, traditional and beyond, as they call it, mostly because there is a wide variety of sounds. From Doc Watson and friends playing the traditional sounds of bluegrass to the Punch Brothers who weave sounds from every genre from classical training, celtic, newgrass and of course traditional bluegrass. I don't want to forget the incredible sam bush and The Tedeschi Truck Band.
Every year at Merlefest there is Hillside Album hour, where The Waybacks choose a classic album to play start to finish at the stage called Hillside (1 of 12 stages). This year The Waybacks played Jimmie Hendrix "Are You Experienced", joined by Susan Tedeschi, Jim Lauderdale and Sam Bush. It was incredible.
The photo below shows the Punch Brothers playing before the Tedeschi Truck Band. The Punch Brothers may be a new favorite of mine. I highly recommend looking up their music.
To see what other great bands played at Merlefest visit the link below. We look forward to next year and thank my co-worker Karenelle for letting us volunteer at her booth!
Merlefest Stage Schedule
