#15
September 1, 2026#17
September 1, 2026
Searchable issue transcript
Page 1
$8.95 $8.95 Natu r e N atu r e A r t A r t H ist o r y H ist o r y C u ltu r e C u ltu r e M u sic M u sic The The MerleFest MerleFest Issue Issue foothills foothills Digest Digest Display Until 12/08/21 Display Until 12/08/21 I I ssue X V I ssue X V I Past, P r esent P ast, P r esent and F u ture o f and F u ture o f the F estival the F estival What’s in W h at’s in W ilkes W ilkes Doc Doc W atson W atson The T h e L ineup L ineup Map M ap An E ssay b y A n E ssay b y T ara N evins T ara N evins Tedesch i T alks T edesch i T alks M emories M emories
Page 2
2 LISA BREWER Co-editor Writer CONTRIBUTORS Bob Timberlake Michael Cooper Tara Nevins foothills Digest Foothills Digest PO Box 2670 Lenoir, NC 28645 Fall 2021 Phone: 828.475.1323 E-mail: editor@foothillsdigest.com Website: foothillsdigest.com Stock by Adobe Stock Photography provided by MerleFest PRINTED IN USA PARTNER COMPANY: ECKARD PHOTOGRAPHIC EDITORIAL CARMEN ECKARD Editor in Chief JON ECKARD Principal Photographer JOEY OSBORNE Partner
Page 3
3 Foothills Digest PO Box 2670 Lenoir, NC 28645 Name: Address: Phone: Subscribe S u b s c r i p t i o n s a r e $ 3 2 per year and we publish quarterly. Shipping is $9. Please enclose a check or your credit card information. Cards are charged $36 one time. Card Number: Expiration: CVV Code: ON THE COVER Bob is a fiddle maker and player. He moved to the area in 1999 after playing a few MerleFests and loving the region. He has fiddles all over the world, in Hungary, India, England, Holland, Swit - zerland, Nova Scotia, Hawaii, and around the US. He sponsors MerleFest and one of his fiddles is donated each year to be auctioned. Bob is avail - able for performances with various groups. He is also available to give workshops, demonstra - tions, and classes on various aspects of violin set-up, repair, and building.
Page 4
4 Dear Readers, We are so very honored to be a Level 1 Sponsor of MerleFest, which we consider to be the most important music festival in the state. The lineup this year is to-die- for and we’re excited to be able to share information about each of the artists with you. If you are attending MerleFest (and we suggest you do), this magazine will serve as a guide for you. If you aren’t, we hope you’ll spend time perusing the artist guide and listening to the bands using the QR codes...that way, you can experience the vibe of the festival, which we think will encourage you to plan a trip next year. We’re also including an autograph page, which we hope you’ll be able to fill with signWatures if you’re at the event. Be sure to check out the autograph tent’s schedule, to be sure you won’t miss your favorite artist. Also be sure to stop by the Foothills Digest tent to say hi! This issue is very special to me, because as a college student, I was able to work with Doc Watson myself, and experience both his kindness and his amazing bluegrass playing. I was just a techie backstage at a couple of his concerts, but I’ve carried the experience with me forever, and it gives me a real understanding of the respect and awe for the man that’s visible in every aspect of MerleFest. Traditional music has been a truly integral part of our heritage in the foothills of North Carolina, and this festival celebrates that heritage and shines an annual spotlight that we all appreciate. Letter Letter from from the the Editor Editor
Page 5
5
Page 6
4 Letter from the Editor 10 MerleFest, Past Present and Future 20 Collaboration at MerleFest 22 Doc Watson 32 What Would You Say to Doc? 36 B Townes, Father of MerleFest 38 MerleFest Playlist 40 Climbing from the Rubble by Tara Nevins 46 Growing up with MerleFest 48 Downtown Wilkesboro 54 Tedeschi Trucks Band 58 Map 64 Artist Guide 108 Autograph Page 109 Tribute to John Prine 112 Artist Guide Index Table of Table of Contents Contents
Page 8
8 Sturgill Simpson Tedeschi Trucks Fireside Live LeAnn Rimes Shovels & Rope Sam Bush The Milk Carton Kids Jim Lauderdale We Banjo 3 John Cowan Balsam Range Kruger Brothers Melissa Etheridge Mavis Staples Margo Price JOHNNYSWIM
Page 9
9 a n d m a n y m o r e p e r f o r m e r s ! 13 stages of “traditional plus” music The Waybacks Scythian Donna the Buffalo Peter Rowan Tommy Emmanuel Paul Thorn Shinyribs The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys Sarah Shook & The Disarmers Charley Crockett Cordovas Yasmin Williams Robbie Fulks Brittney Spencer Amythyst Kiah Sam Williams
Page 10
10 By Carmen Eckard Photography courtesy of MerleFest The Past, Present & Future of MerleFest
Page 11
11 It’s hard to understate the importance of MerleFest to the foothills of North Carolina. The “Traditional Plus” festival regularly brings in crowds of 75,000, making it the largest ongoing music festival in the state. MerleFest is a BIG deal, inspiring a rare kind of loyalty; there are several artists who have played every MerleFest, and there are many concertgoers who would never consider missing the festival. The organizers say that MerleFest is the result of a “serendipitous combination of individuals with vision, talent and perseverance.” While there are hundreds of people who help make the festival possible each year, there are two people whose contributions started the ball rolling: Frederick William Townes IV, affectionately known as “B” and Grammy-winning artist Doc Watson. It was only through the teamwork of this unlikely pair that MerleFest was born. B was a horticulture instructor at Wilkes Community College. “In 1973, we started a horticulture program here at Wilkes Community College,” Townes said. “Basically, there were three buildings and grass.” It didn’t take long for B to realize that the college would need a good deal more to support his program. He crafted a master plan that included multiple theme gardens. He says those included, “a Japanese garden, an evergreen garden, a rose garden, collections of plants.” They also included a garden for the blind, which would feature aromatic plants with Braille identification signs. B’s idea required serious funding, and he had a big idea that would shape the future of his small town. He set out to convince the college to allow him to host a musical concert as a fundraiser. The college was an easy sell, and so B, who didn’t have any experience with musical festivals, started conversations with some
Page 12
12 friends. One of those friends, Bill Young, was close to Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson. Doc was already a world-renowned traditional musician at this point, but he was also dealing with a personal tragedy. Just two years before, his son Merle Watson, with whom he regularly performed, died in a tragic tractor accident. Bill Young took B Townes to Doc Watson. B asked Doc if he’d be interested in playing this fundraiser which was meant to be a one-time only event. Doc surprised them by answering that he’d be happy to, with one condition. He requested that the garden for the blind would be a memorial to Merle. After a conflict with the original date, Rosalee Watson, Doc’s wife, suggested making the concert a festival played by him and some of his friends, including Chet Atkins, Earl Scruggs, Grandpa Jones, Mac Wiseman and Sam Bush, who had all agreed to play for free. As plans came together, all involved were thrilled to find that tickets quickly sold out. This was largely because Doc had been talking up the show at his concerts all over the country, and his audience members were excited to hear him play with his friends. There were many obstacles to overcome, but the ragtag organizers were becoming a solid team, and each hurdle was
Page 13
13 jumped without much trouble. They also needed performance spaces, so they built the first edition of Doc and Merle Watson stage. The first festival was wildly successful. The team had recorded the first concert, and they were even able to sell 5,000 copies of the recording in the first year. People loved the concept and the music. Immediately the college began receiving calls asking when the next festival would be. B called Doc, and they decided they could certainly host another festival, only they would need to compensate the performers moving forward. B says that he remembers one of the team members, Ralph Rinzler, saying, “At some point and time the festival will take on a life of its own.” That happened much faster than people expected, and that “one-time concert” has become the biggest event to happen in the foothills of North Carolina each year. MerleFest attracts impressive talents. Past lineups have included artists Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Steve Martin, Alan Jackson and the Avett Brothers, to name a few of hundreds. This year the festival will feature Tedeschi Trucks, LeAnn Rimes, Melissa Etheridge, Scythian, and many more. This issue features an artist guide that will provide you with information about each of this year’s bands.
Page 14
MerleFest hand selects the bands that play, and doesn’t accept solicitations from publicists. This has resulted in fabulous quality control, and you can expect to hear good music at the festival. A lot of folks assume that MerleFest is a bluegrass festival. It isn’t. Doc Watson always told people it was “Traditional Plus.” When folks asked what that meant, he’d smile and say, “‘Traditional Plus’-the traditional music of the Appalachian Mountains plus anything else I want to play.” There’s a bit of something for everyone in the lineup each year, and you’re sure to find something new as you walk around. Over the years, MerleFest has worked to keep a family-friendly atmosphere. B Townes says, “Doc wanted this to be a place where multi-generations of families could come and have fun. It’s kind of a musical utopia, where everybody’s safe and everybody’s happy.” From the beginning, no alcohol has been allowed, which has always given the festival a different feel that has attracted families from across the country. Aside from listening to excellent music, there’s lots to do at MerleFest. Check out The Shoppes at MerleFest to buy your official MerleFest gear. While you’re there, you can watch traditional
Page 15
craftsmen working at their trade. You can also visit the Foothills Digest booth to say hello! Kids will be delighted to have their faces painted, and everyone enjoys a good meal. The food vendors are all centrally located and the selection is astounding!. Many non-profits in the region depend on the money they make from serving food at MerleFest to fund their operations. In this way, and many others, MerleFest has become very important to the social fabric of the region. MerleFest provides a special opportunity for attendees who also play music. The Pickin’ Place is an entire venue devoted to jamming with new friends and old. Included in The Pickin’ Place are the Traditional Old Time Pickin’ Tent, Bluegrass Pickin’ Tent, and Anything Goes Pickin’ Tent. Bring your acoustic instrument to this area hosted by the Wilkes Acoustic Folk Society and you can jam with other concertgoers. Be sure to take some time for the nature walks. You can take a hosted nature walk, or stroll around campus, taking in the various garden spaces. Check out the Merle Watson Garden of the Senses, a key part of the MerleFest story. This year, for the first time, the festival is held in September. The 2020 series was canceled,
Page 16
16 as the world faced a pandemic. Instead of canceling 2021 as well, leadership worked with health experts, who advised them that September would provide a safe opportunity for scheduling. September offers beautiful weather, and it should be a nice, albeit temporary, change-up. We spoke with Ted Hagaman, Wilkes Community College Executive Director of Events and Hospitality and Festival Director. His focus is on audience experience. He said, “It is not our goal to see how big we can make the festival, or how many fans we can pack in. Our goal has always been to provide a quality event. If we do that, then we don’t have to worry about selling enough tickets to keep it going. “The music has to be quality,” he continued. “We will always have world class musicians of different genres so people can experience lots of different things, but we also want trash picked up and clean bathrooms….we’re always looking to make a person’s experience better and to treat them with kindness.” A quick glance out over any audience at MerleFest confirms that they are, indeed, doing a good job of creating wonderful guest experiences. People are smiling, laughing, dancing, and having fun. Even the artists have fun. That’s the only thing that can explain why some of them, like Sam Bush, shown at right, have performed at each MerleFest. Bob Sinclair, shown left dancing with his wife, says, “I have been to every single MerleFest. I even went up last year after they canceled it and got up on the main stage. My girls sang a song there so
Page 17
17
Page 18
18 that Doc wouldn’t be disappointed in the musical silence. I have been an audience member, a volunteer, an employee, a consultant and a musician at the festival!” We asked what keeps him coming back, and he said, “I consider MerleFest as one of my rites of spring. I come out of winter hibernation to gather with my best musical friends. They come from all over the US to stay with Carolyn and me at our house. We caravan up to the festival each day; see some great performances up there and then play our own music at the house until the wee hours when the festival is over each day. It is an exhausting but exhilarating couple of days for us. The 11 separate stages are nice since it gives me various venues to see some of my musical heroes. I particularly like Creekside, that cozy little stage near the river. The artists always seem to give especially good performances down there. This year’s lineup looks terrific and I can’t wait!” HOME OF GREAT COFFEE 1 3 2 0 W E S T D S T NORTH WILKESBORO NC 486 N PATTERSON AVE W I N S T O N S A L E M N C FIND US AT MERLEFEST! (336) 818-2881 ANCHORCOFFEECO.COM TRY OUR SEAFARER BLEND
Page 19
19 And Bob’s sentiments are echoed by so many people. They come out in groups, year after year. It inspires a love and loyalty that’s rare for a festival. The year 2020 was rough, and it required that festival leadership pivot and be willing to be more flexible than ever before. They rose to the challenge, as they have in the past. We asked Ted Hagaman what’s in store for the festival. “The future is bright! So much of what we do is built on tradition. The first wave of people who got real involved with MerleFest and then brought their kids...we’re seeing those kids bringing their kids! We think that has a lot to do with the success of something. We are successful when these traditions are passed on through generations.” Foothills Digest believes that MerleFest is the most important musical event in North Carolina. The festival supports its community, but it’s more than that. The festival IS the community. When you are at MerleFest, it’s like all of Wilkes County has thrown open their arms for a hug and invited you to sit on the front porch for a spell. Cultural trends have been splitting communities all over the nation, and it’s very nice to have four days a year that we can count on community prevailing over division. Music can do that. It’s powerful stuff.You should be part of the experince at MerleFest. We all should. If you haven’t attended, make this your first year! And if this is #33 for you, then welcome back, old friend. But be sure to bring an umbrella. It wouldn’t be MerleFest if it didn’t rain. Photography provided by MerleFest and includes the work of: Michael Freas, Jeff Clements, Gordon Burns, Rob Laughter, Monty Combs, Ryan Case, Devin Ulery, Willa Stein, William Sparklin, Tate Finley and Jim Gavenus, among others.
Page 20
20 Collaboration at MerleFest
Page 21
21 Photos provided by MerleFest Artists love playing at MerleFest because of the spirit of collaboration. It’s known as the unofficial kick-off of festival season, and it’s obvious to even a casual audience member that the artists feel like old friends, coming to play together again. There are lots of o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o s e e t h e a r t i s t s performing together. A fan favorite is the “Late Night Jam.” You’ll need a separate ticket for this event, but it’s worth it, because you’ll see some of the greats, jamming together and having a really fun time. Don’t miss the Veteran’s Jam” either, which features a lot of artists who return to MerleFest y e a r a f t e r y e a r . On Sunday, check out “Women Who Sing T r a d i t i o n a l M u s i c , “led by Carol Rifkin. Be sure you don’t miss the “Hillside Hour.” It’s very popular, and you might want to get there early for a good seat.
Page 23
Doc Watson Photography courtesy of MerleFest Admired for his lightning-fast flatpicking and fingerpicking skills, deep baritone voice and his enormous impact on folk, tradional and country music, Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson is without question one of the greatest and most decorated American guitarists in history. Watson was born on March 3, 1923 in the northwest mountain town of Deep Gap, N.C., an area that later would influence his musical style throughout his career. He was one of nine children born to parents General and Annie Watson. Although his family was not rich in the financial sense, they were exceptionally wealthy in the traditions of music and faith. Watson’s first access to music was through the church and his parents. His mother would sing regularly during her daily chores and at bedtime, and his father sang at a local church. Every year, starting around the age of 5, he would receive a new harmonica as a Christmas gift. After the family cat died when Watson was 11, his father built him a fretless banjo, using the animal’s skin to construct the head of the instrument. An eye infection caused Watson to lose his vision at a very young age. He briefly studied at the School for the Blind in Raleigh, where he attended formal classes for a few years before returning home to his family. Around the seventh grade, Watson decided not to return to school. He began working with his father, who
Page 24
24 introduced him to manual labor and helped him conquer his disability. Watson started to venture beyond the banjo, and while playing with a relative’s guitar one morning, his father proposed a bet. If Watson could learn an entire song by the time his father returned home from work, his father would buy him his own guitar. Meeting the challenge, Watson learned to play “When the Roses Bloom in Dixieland” in just a few hours. He won the bet and received his first guitar shortly after. Watson’s flatpicking style and interpretations of traditional American music can be traced back to some of his greatest musical influences, particularly country singer Jimmie Rodgers and folk groups like the Carter Family. These artists impacted Watson’s life greatly, as he continued to idolize and emulate them throughout his career. By the time Watson entered adulthood, he had become extremely skilled on both the acoustic and electric guitars. While playing a live radio show one day, the announcer pointed out that Watson’s first name, Arthel, was a bit strange and suggested that he adopt a nickname that was easier to remember. An eager fan in the crowd quickly suggested “Doc,” and the popular moniker was born. In 1947, Watson married Rosa Lee Carlton, the daughter of legendary fiddler Gaither Carlton. The couple had two children, Merle and Nancy. As a family man, Watson began focusing on refining his skills as an artist in order
Page 25
to make an adequate living. In 1953, he began playing lead guitar for Jack Williams and the Country Gentlemen, a dance band that would travel around the region and play pop, rockabilly, jazz and fiddle songs. The band booked a lot of square dance gigs, but they rarely had a fiddle player. In response, Watson figured out a way to arrange complicated fiddle tunes and turn them into guitar melodies by developing a high-speed crosspicking technique. As the New York Times explains, “Unlike most country and bluegrass musicians, who thought of the guitar as a secondary instrument for providing rhythmic backup, Mr. Watson executed the kind of flashy, rapid-fire melodies normally played by a fiddle or banjo.” He later extended his signature techniques to the acoustic guitar, and playing fiddle songs became part of his personal brand. In 1960, folklorist Ralph Rinzler came to Watson’s area during the folk music revival, where he and other musicologists would set out to rediscover talented folk artists of the past. After a chance meeting during a recording session for musician Clarence Ashley, Rinzler convinced Watson to put down his electric guitar and play only the banjo and acoustic guitar moving forward. Watson made his recording debut on the album Old Time Music at Clarence Ashley’s , which caused his rising popularity to soar even higher. In 1964 his first solo album, Doc Watson , was released to the public. Merle Watson joined his father musically as a rhythm guitarist in 1964. Credited
Page 26
26
Page 27
27 These photos are separated by decades, yet it’s clear that Doc’s love of music and drive to write and perform did not change over the years.
Page 29
29 with more than 40 albums to their name, the father and son duo continued to perform and record together for 20 successful years. Their combined efforts earned them three GRAMMY Awards for the albums Then and Now , Two Days in November and Big Sandy/Leather Britches. The folk revival was beginning to fade out towards the end of the 1960s, and Doc Watson used this as an opportunity to explore different styles of music. His eclectic taste and boundless talent allowed him to shift back and forth between playing music with roots heavily embedded in tradition and creating music in the more contemporary styles that appealed to him. His third studio album, Southbound , reflected this trend. Featuring blues and jazz songs, it was the first of many albums that Watson would record in order to create a bridge between old and new styles of music. This vacillation between genres continued throughout Watson’s career and is highlighted in several of his albums, including the gospel- themed On Praying Ground and Docabilly , a collection of rockabilly classics. Doc and Merle Watson did many collaborations as their careers continued to grow, one of the most notable being the trio they formed with bass player T. Michael Coleman. They continued to make music together until 1985, when Merle Watson tragically passed away. During this time, Doc Watson was recording his first all-bluegrass album, Riding the Midnight Train , which he dedicated to his late son upon its completion. He would later go on to win a GRAMMY Award for the album.
Page 30
30 Of course, Doc also worked with B Townes and Wilkes Community College to start MerleFest in honor of his son. Watson continued to perform into the 21st century. Throughout his career he received countless awards and accolades, including seven GRAMMY awards, a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award, and the National Medal of Arts, presented to him by president Bill Clinton in 1997. He was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2010. Watson passed away on May 29, 2012 due to complications following surgery. With a warm voice and an even warmer demeanor, he was a musical treasure who shared his gift with the world for decades. Watson’s music lives on and will continue to bring joy into the lives of listeners who will remember him for his innovative flatpicking work and the rich, beautiful sound that is present in all of his songs.
Page 31
31 F U R N I S H I N G H O M E S A R O U N D T H E W O R L D F O R 6 0 Y E A R S www.hickoryfurniture.com | 1-800-462-MART (6278) Proudly supporting our local craftsmen, manufacturers and retailers. Proudly supporting our local craftsmen, manufacturers and retailers. STAY IN TUNE WITH THE LATEST TRENDS FOR YOUR HOME Hickory Furniture Mart.
Page 32
32 What would you say What would you say to Doc Watson today? to Doc Watson today? Collected by Lisa Brewer It’s been almost ten years since Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson passed away. How fitting that his final performance was a gospel set on the Creekside Stage at MerleFest on April 29, 2012. Doc’s legacy lives on through his music and the lives of those who knew him and loved him. Some of MerleFest’s September artists and friends remember him here, and share what they would say to him today if only they could speak with him again. Danylo Fedoryka, Scythian “Doc, I know you’re a legend, but listening to your songs and seeing the community you‘ve attracted and inspired, I can tell that there is something deeper than just the music, I can see that you have a good heart and I am most thankful for that. You’ve always enjoyed helping the next generation succeed and always provided opportunities to do so (I’ve experienced this help!). You’ve taken what God has given you and made the most of it: I hope to do half as much with what I’ve been given. Thanks for teaching me how to remain human in an industry that can easily pull me away from what matters and thanks for teaching me to enjoy a good laugh while I play!” Jens Krüger, The Krüger Brothers “Now that a number of years have passed since we have last been together, I realize ever more how much joy and meaning you have brought in to my life. I’m deeply thankful to have met you and for the hours we played and laughed together. I just want you to know how much we love you and that we will hold you in our hearts forever.”
Page 33
33
Page 34
34 Uwe Krüger, The Krüger Brothers “What would I say to Doc? I was in a situation where I was able to talk to Doc often. He was a great communicator, and playing music with him answered most of the questions I ever had in mind to ask him. When he left us it hurt, and it still does. I miss Doc a lot. And I miss Rosa Lee just as much. Doc had spent his whole life telling the world about the way he experienced life. He said what he needed to say before he passed away. All I would tell him is how much I miss him, and how thankful I am to have had him as a friend and guide.” Jack Lawrence, flatpicker and Doc Watson’s touring partner “If I could speak with Doc one more time, I’d thank him for the 27 years that I worked with him touring and recording. I’d love to sit with him and reminisce about those years. I’d tell him I still have the Martin D-18 he used on his early recordings and still appreciate the gift he made me of it years ago. I would also have a couple of personal questions I never had a chance to ask, just between friends. The most important question I’d ask is, ‘Hey Doc, you want to pick some?’” Darin and Brooke Aldridge, Musicians “We would tell Doc looking back to where we started to where our journey has brought us now, how we finally realize the power of music that he always got to experience with each performance. How we love that music is common ground and brings everybody together as one. The healing power music has and its ability to make the world go away for just a little while. We would thank Doc personally for paving the way for musicians like us and always following the path God placed him on in life.” B Townes, “Father of MerleFest” “Doc, I’d like to say thanks for being my mentor and for teaching me about the music that you and Merle made. We’re proud that MerleFest continues as the family friendly event you wanted it to be.”“
Page 35
35 John Cloyd Miller, Zoe and Cloyd “I would thank Doc for the priceless gift of his music that has touched and influenced so many people all over the world. His lifetime of work is astounding and serves as a benchmark for bluegrass, old-time and ‘traditional plus’ music of all kinds. Doc also set the bar for being a humble, down-to-earth person and his relationship to notoriety was very refreshing. We miss your presence, Doc, but your inspiring story and incredible music will live on forever.” Jim Lauderdale “If I had an opportunity to speak to Doc again at Merlefest, I would thank him for having us all and tell him how much he means to me as a person and music creator and also thank him for all the joy he has brought to me and so many others.” Susan Tedeschi, Tedeschi Trucks “I would ask him, what did he love to play the most? He really was such an American, well-rounded musician. He could play everything: gospel, blues, country. I don’t know what my question would be. ‘Can I sing with you?’ I would probably say I would love to sing with you! I would probably say, ‘Would you like to collaborate and play together?’” Ted Hagaman, MerleFest Director “If I could talk with Doc again, I’d show him the changes and improvements we’ve made at MerleFest since 2012 to get his input and to make sure we continue to honor the legacies of both Doc and Merle.”
Page 36
36 B Townes is affectionately known as “The Father of MerleFest” and truly, without his considerable efforts, the festival simply wouldn’t exist. It was 1973 when he helped start the horticulture program at Wilkes Community College. He knew horticulture should involve a hands- on learning approach, but he looked around campus and saw grass, grass and more grass. There was also bald cypress, some river birch and a lot of shore juniper, but not much in the way of variety when you consider that the Southern Appalachian Mountains are one of the most biodiverse places on earth. He knew the campus needed gardens that would help craft learning experiences while giving his students hand-on horticulture opportunities. The Father of The Father of MerleFest MerleFest B began to plan, and he envisioned several gardens throughout the campus, each with a different theme. Perhaps the most exciting was the Garden for the Senses, which was designed to engage all of the senses, and also provide opportunites for seeing impaired people to enjoy the space. He imagined aromatic plants, and signs in Braille. But he knew this would all be very expensive, so he considered how to raise funds. He had the idea for a concert, and he spoke with his friend Bill Young, who introduced him to Doc Watson. When B asked Doc if he would perform, Doc gladly agreed, so long as B agreed to name the Garden for the Senses after his son Merle, who had recently died in
Page 37
37 an accident. This simple fundraiser quickly grew into the festival we know and love. While you are on the campus of Wilkes Community College, be sure to visit the gardens around campus. Especially, take a walk in the Merle Watson Garden for the Senses. Close your eyes and breathe in the scent of the flowers. Allow your fingers to trace the pictures of the animals, the white oak tree, and the Braille plaques. Let your fingers linger over the scultped faces of Merle and Doc Watson. B remembers the first time he was able to take Doc Watson to “see” the art in the garden. He says that Doc ran his hands over the wall carving, smiled and said, “That’s Merle.” Then he moved his hand further along before exclaiming, “And that’s me!” MerleFest began as a stepping stone to build a garden and it has become so much more. Each year, the festival has a regional economic impact of more than $12 million, much of which is invested directly into the community through a great many non-profit organizations. The festival has become integral to the lives of Wilkesboro citizens, and to the larger foothills region as well. Foothills DIgest salutes B Townes. Be sure to visit the Foothills Digest booth in the Shoppes at MerleFest. B Townes will be joining us for autograph signing.
Page 38
At last, it’s autumn: time for apples, and pumpkins, and brightly colored leaves, and MerleFest… MerleFest?! After missing not one but two traditional April MerleFests due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, vaccines permitted the lifting of restrictions for gathering in public. MerleFest officials took the unprecedented step of producing a September MerleFest to make up for the festival’s painful absence, and artists and audiences couldn’t be more grateful. So, people, get ready: there’s a MerleFest train coming! The Kruger Brothers, “People Get Ready” from the CD, Best of the Kruger Brothers (2012). Y’allll, aboard! Tedeschi Trucks Band, “I’m Gonna Be There” from the CD, Signs (2019). “I’m gonna be there, through the thunder and the rain….” We hope there won’t be thunder and rain, but MerleFest usually provides a smorgasbord of weather conditions! Don’t miss our interview with Susan Tedeschi in this issue of Foothills Digest. Ah, the twinned voices and strings of The Milk Carton Kids on “Asheville Skies” from their latest project, Live from Symphony Hall (recorded in Atlanta, 2015; released 2020). MerleFest Playlist By Lisa Brewer
Page 39
39 The incomparable voice that brought us “Blue” as a mere teenager now sings love into the world with her song called, literally, “Sing Love Into the World.” LeAnn Rimes released the song in November, 2020. Join her for old favorites (we hope!) and new offerings on Friday night at MerleFest. Laura Boosinger, “Skip To My Lou” from the CD, Sing It Yourself (2006). Thank goodness: there will be opportunities to hear Laura’s crystal clear and haunting vocals three out of four MerleFest days! She is a treasure trove of musical history, an exceptional banjoist and most importantly, a joyful and kind person all around. The Waybacks and Friends, “Black Dog” from the 2019 Hillside Album Hour at MerleFest (live). Susan Dugas (formerly of The Duhks) rocks the Robert Plant vocal and is joined onstage by Sam Bush, and Jens Kruger, and others. Sam Bush’s “Circle Around Me” from his 2009 album, Circles Around Me, is a fan favorite at MerleFest and just about everywhere else the King of Telluride performs. Bush appears just one day on the official schedule. Let’s hope for unscheduled Sam sightings. Scythian, “Dance All Night” from the CD, American Shanty (2011). This version is a live recording sure to put you in the mood for getting back together in the MerleFest Dance Tent! Break in your dancing shoes! Mavis Staples, “No Time for Cryin’” from the album, Live in London (2019). Ain’t no crying at MerleFest! Unless we’re talking tears of joy! Don’t miss the legendary Mavis Staples and her Sunday performance. D arin and Brooke Aldridge, “Your Lone Journey” from the CD Inner Journey (2019). These two sweet voices harmonize on stage and off. Here, enjoy the Rosa Lee (Mrs. Doc) Watson classic from their newest project. Melissa Etheridge, “Baby, You Can Sleep While I Drive” from the CD, Brave and Crazy (1989). Etheridge closes out the festival on Sunday afternoon. Make sure your driver is well rested before hitting the road home! Use your smart phone’s camera to scan these QR codes. They will allow you to listen to the band’s music.
Page 40
40 Photo by John Darwin Kurc
Page 41
T here we were, January 14th, 2020 in Runaway Bay, Jamaica, at the Jewel Par - adise Cove Resort as part of Dark Star Orchestra’s annual Jam In The Sand. Honored to have been invited and definitely not missing the cold and snow we left behind, we were excited to be part of the event and were having a grand time performing on stage under palm trees, the glorious island sun, and on the shore of the Caribbean sea. One of such perks in Donna the Buffalo that come along from time to time in this lifestyle and career as a touring musician, a career as exciting and gratifying as it is arduous. Looking back now on that time in Jamaica I’m thinking we were like characters in the opening scene of a blockbuster world disaster movie unassumingly enjoying the moment clueless as to what lay ahead. If someone had told me what was about to happen I am sure I would have told them they were blocking the sun and could they just please move. But it did happen and on March 7th we played what was to be our last gig for the next year and 3 months. Four days later on March 11th, Covid was declared a pandemic. The cancellations began, gig after gig, festival after festival, tour after tour, and with each one I felt the rug being pulled further out from under me. Earlier in February awareness of a coronavirus arriving here from Wuhan, China began making waves in my psyche but it wasn’t until all the cancellations that the seriousness, uncertainty and other worldliness of the situation hit home in a way that shook my foundation. The first cancellation was the Suwannee Spring Fest. in Live Oak, Florida the last weekend in March. There are certain festivals we play every year and they are in their own ways like family, all powerfully inspirational, positive and necessary communities. The Suwannee festival is one of those as is MerleFest. MerleFest was next. I knew in my gut that it would most likely be canceled but I wasn’t prepared for the effect it would have on me when the announcement came. To say that I was glued to the 2012, 25th anniversary stream would be an understatement. I watched every minute of it. I opened my eyes to it each morning, my lap top next to my pillow from the night before. I chatted with folks like me who were watching and missing it and wondering about life’s direction. It was like I was holding on for dear life as everything I did and knew of as my normal life was slipping away. It was an awful feeling. As the days went on I stayed glued to the news as everything else became unglued. My identity and purpose all a big question mark, an empty hole. Before the pandemic I was touring all the time, always on the road and barely ever home. My apartment had become a very expensive storage unit and I had considered moving out and putting my belongings in storage for awhile to save money. It was just an idea. When the pandemic hit it went from being an idea to a necessity. With no gigs in the foreseeable future I could no longer afford to pay rent. Now at a time when the population hung tight within the safety of their homes I was homeless. Homeless in a pandemic. Fortunately though we own a Prevost tour bus. That became my home for many months. I was grateful while at the same time feeling lost and miserable. Climbing Out of the Rubble By Tara Nevins of Donna the Buffalo
Page 42
42 The more miserable I got the more I also realized there were people having a way harder time than me and there were people having less of a hard time. People were talking about how we were all out to sea together but in different boats. I thought yeah, some are sinking, some are floating, row boats and yachts. My misery was tempered by the fact that the bus was parked in a beautiful field and I enjoyed the open space and simplicity of that. I had electricity, cable tv, heat, air conditioning, my comfortable bunk, a stove and a fridge. I rented a porta john, which for me was a pretty funny venture but when it’s your own, it’s your own clean and private Idaho. Jeb Puryear, my band partner, did a stint of a few months with me on the bus. He had landed in Nashville after our very last gig in March and was alone there for several months. He finally made his way back up here to the Finger Lakes and it was great to have the company after being so alone myself. Jordy Risk, our merchandise maestro, and I were in a pod together all along so I was able to shower and do laundry at his house. Heck, it could have been a lot worse. Being on the bus I could make believe I was going somewhere. Inspiration left me though, the wind was knocked out of
Page 43
43 me. I tried writing and hated everything that came out of me. I had spurts of playing my fiddle but a subtle underlying stream of depression always lingered and pulled me away. There was a deep sense of loss. I became a country bumpkin, hanging out in my field, sitting around camp fires, breathing in the country air and gaining a real appreciation for the Finger Lakes region. I hauled water in jugs from Jordy’s, and brushed my teeth outside every morning, did curbside pickup and scrubbed my grocery with all kinds of chemicals. Every day was just getting through that day. Moments of intense loneliness and discouragement mixed with exhilaration from the nature around me. I never complained and I’m not complaining now. Politics and it’s effect on the pandemic pandemic vaccine and it’s effect on me and the disappointment in our country at a time when we should have all come together in the name of saving each other and driving away this virus did not help and only made it all worse. I am willing to complain about that. Finally the whole band was vaccinated and looking forward to our first couple of gigs in June. We played at our Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival, in Silk Hope, NC. It was both surreal and splendid to play again and to see so many of our friends and fans. Wow, there we all were, climbing out of the rubble. Finding each other again. Is this real? Was it just a dream? I mean a nightmare? I was amazed at how good everyone looked. We are an adaptive human race capable of weaving sustenance into adversity. I was amazed at how tired I felt the first day back at it. A year of doing nothing and my pre pandemic pace which had felt normal before now felt exhausting. We played in Kure beach, near Wilmington, NC the day after Shakori. We were at the beach once again with palm trees and the ocean. The beach was filled with umbrellas and people as far as the eye could see in both directions. The boardwalk was social and crowded and drinks were flying at the tiki bar. It was as if nothing ever happened while at the same
Page 44
44 time underneath in the collective consciousness we all knew something definitely did happen. It changed us. It changed everything. I stood on the boardwalk and looked out over the beach and the crowds, witnessing the normalcy and listening to the din of chatter, conversation and laughter. What struck me in a profound way was one word - Science. Undeniable and quite incredible. It’s been a year like no other. I feel changed. I’ve thought about energy and where I’ve chosen to direct it in the past and how that shifts now. I’m grateful for the love of my friends and family and how we’ve all navigated this together. I’ve learned who my real friends are and aren’t. I missed my band mates and music terribly and am happy to be reunited and to be gigging again. After all was said and done, even though I know it’s not over yet, I did manage to write a couple of songs and one that I really like a lot. Jeb and I headed to Nashville on the bus in May to start rehearsals with the band. We towed a car behind the bus. The tow dolly got a flat tire in Kentucky. Instead of 12 hours to Nashville it took us 29. We looked at each other and said “We’re back!” Tara Nevins is a songwriter, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist. She is co-founder of the popular grassroots band Donna the Buffalo, co-organizer of the band’s Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance in Trumansburg, NY, and director of Grassroots Culture Camp. Follow Tara and Donna the Buffalo on Facebook, Instagram and at http://www.donnathbuffalo.com. Photography provided by the artist and MerleFest. Credits include: Frank Allen Sr. Amos Perrine John Darwin Kurc Cameron Yeager William Sparklin
Page 46
46 By Michael Cooper Here in Wilkes County we were lucky to grow up with MerleFest. Nickel Creek played at my middle school. We used to come to the festival on field trips. Eventually we were old enough to appreciate the music and enjoy the bands. I’ve seen Donna the Buffalo, Sam Bush and Jim Lauderdale more times than a person could count. Over the years I’ve seen Merle Haggard, John Prine, Jason Isbell, Old Crow Medicine Show, Alison Krauss, Bela Fleck, Todd Snider, Bob Weir, and Lucinda Williams. This year it’s Sturgill Simpson, Melissa Etheridge, Mavis Staples, and LeAnn Rimes, right here, on the same grounds I run at in the evenings. That’s quite the legacy to live around. To us Doc Watson wasn’t a celebrity. He was famous. But he was a local. He was a role model. “Hearing ‘Black Mountain Rag’ by Doc Watson was the song that made me want to learn guitar,” says Presley Barker, a local recording artist and recent American Idol contestant, who credits this festival for helping to launch his career. “My first involvement with MerleFest was with Andy May’s Acoustic Kids on the Little Picker’s stage in April of 2012.” His guitar teacher Larry Skipper got him into the program, and Barker got to play in front of larger audiences. For the rest of us Growing Up Growing Up With MerleFest With MerleFest
Page 47
47 who aren’t as talented, MerleFest is less of an audition than it is a week to hear a live picking and see friends and family. People come to MerleFest from all over the world. But once you come back you recognize everybody. Unlike other music festivals this one is built from a community. The sponsors are local. The volunteers are local. The merchandise tent is run by the Rotary Club. The food vendors are from churches and fire departments (and the food is always excellent). And when you walk around you see familiar faces (Peter Rowan, the Krüger Brothers, Scythian, The Waybacks, and Roy Book Binder). You see dozens of musicians taking it all in just like you do. The headliners draw the biggest crowds. But the best shows are often at the smallest stages (the Creekside Stage, the Americana Stage and the Dance Tent). And the Hillside Stage is one of the best music venues around. It’s in the sun. It’s not always fun to walk up. But the view from above is spectacular. We all have our favorite shows. We all have favorite memories. Sitting in a folding chair on a Sunday afternoon with a cool breeze and some traditional bluegrass songs. Sitting by the campfire late at night, playing guitar, singing out loud (perhaps with some local moonshine passed around). We’ve watched our kids dance at their first concerts. We’ve dodged the rain showers that come during that last week of April. This year MerleFest is in September. The weather is a little different. But the festival is just the same. And we’re glad to have it back. We were supposed to have John Prine in 2020. We lost a festival date and we lost one of our heroes last year, too. But now we’re here again, and we’re more grateful than ever for these moments. So smile a little bit wider. Yell a little bit louder. Dance a little bit wilder. And enjoy yourselves this year. MerleFest is back in this place so many of us are lucky to call home. Michael Cooper is the Regional Government Affairs Director for the North Carolina Association of REALTORS®. He was born and raised in North Wilkesboro where he lives again today. Natural Natural Elements Elements Of N o r t h C a r o l i n a W e c u r a t e p r o d u c t s f o r a n a t u r a l l i f e s t y l e Our products include: • A full-range of NC CBD products • Elderberry Syrup • Organic vitamins & supplements • Honey • Jewelry • Essential Oils • And more! 1 5 U S H w y 3 2 1 S W H i c k o r y , N C 2 8 6 0 2 8 2 8 / 7 2 9 / 9 8 6 8 8 2 8 / 7 2 9 / 9 8 6 8 2 2 1 N W M a i n S t r e e t L e n o i r , N C 2 8 6 4 5 8 2 8 / 9 2 9 / 2 4 2 0 8 2 8 / 9 2 9 / 2 4 2 0
Page 48
48 Wilkesboro Wilkesboro -NORTH CAROLINA- -NORTH CAROLINA- Photos by Jon Eckard Story by Carmen Eckard Downtown Wilkesboro epitomizes small town America. Andy Griffith wouldn’t feel a bit out of place strolling down Main Street, and in fact, I’m sure he did, since he grew up just a couple of towns over in Mount Airy. Every person we walked past on a recent visit smiled at us, and kids played with reckless abandon at a splash pad in front of the old courthouse. There is a palpable sense of community that is rare and important. Don’t miss a chance to visit Historic Downtown Wilkesboro. We started at the old Smithey Hotel, built in 1891. It’s a charming example of small-town commercial architecture and it remains relatively unaltered outside. Inside, however, you’ll find a popular restaurant called Dooley’s. Dooley’s is both a tourist and local favorite, and it has a relaxed atmosphere. The family-owned restaurant focuses on good food and positive experiences. We tried the rare roast beef sandwich and the pimiento cheeseburger. Both were delicious, and it was obvious that the chef crafted each with care, with quality ingredients. They also serve beer created across the street at Two Boros. That brewery is located inside the beautiful historic J.T. Ferguson store. The storefront is made of cast iron and pressed metal, and it’s been restored and freshly painted. It’s a rare and beautiful example of late 19th century architecture. Dooley’s restaurant is named after Tom Dula, a Confederate solider who was hanged for the murder of Laura Foster. He was tried and hanged in Statesville, but it was in Wilkesboro
Page 49
49 that the murder was committed, and where Tom Dula (pronounced Dooley in those days) and Anne Foster Melton were held. You can visit that jail, and sit in the rooms where each was held captive. Former Governor Zebulon Vance represented Dula pro bono, and maintained until his death that Dula was innocent. Many locals believe that Anne Melton killed Laura Foster, her cousin, because she was jealous. Locals still say that on her deathbed, Anne saw black cats on the walls and could hear and smell bacon frying. Dula’s last words were “Gentlemen, I did not harm a single hair on that fair lady’s head.” In 1958, the story became known world wide when the Kingston Trio recorded “The Ballad of Tom Dooley.” The heart of downtown is most certainly the prominent old courthouse, built in 1902, and home to the Wilkes Heritage Museum. The building is a beautiful example of classical architecture, and the museum houses thousands of artifacts that tell the story of the area. The museum is also home to the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame, which should interest any MerleFest fan.
Page 50
50 Across the street you’ll find Bella’s Floral & Designs. While you can order elaborate bouquets and flower designs, we love the flower bar, where customers can build their own bouquets to suit. Other charming stores dot the downtown, and we recommend you browse through them all. It’s impossible to miss the Doc Watson mural as you stroll through town. It was painted by Wes Gregory and celebrates Stone Mountain State Park, W. Kerr Scott Reservoir, and Doc Watson. The bold colors and lines are artistically very interesting, and the mural is a dramatic addition to the town. Parking in Downtown Wilkesboro is easier than it is in many other towns. It’s also free, but
Page 51
only for two hours at a time. We suggest you take a quick break and head over to Glenn’s. Glenn’s is an old-fashioned dairy bar that serves the honest-to-goodness best banana split in the region. Internationally famous comedian and actor Zach Galifianakis, who is from Wilkesboro, is a regular at Glenn’s when he’s in town, and Dolly Parton made sure to stop in when she performed at MerleFest. So did Ricky Skaggs, Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley. You should do the same. Downtown Wilkesboro is also home to Cub Creek Park. The park boasts more than 100 acres and includes walking trails that meander southward. Wilkesboro has been named a N.C. Mountain Heritage Trout City and you can access hatchery supported streams at this park. There are batting cages, baseball fields, basketball courts, pickleball courts, tennis courts, a dog park, restrooms, picnic shelters and water fountains. It’s an excellent park and you’ll enjoy the nature along the trails. The shops downtown are picturesque, with storefronts that pique your curiosity. Our favorite was The Vintage Corner. It’s easy to find because the Doc Watson mural is painted on its side. Here they sell all manner of vintage stringed
Page 52
52 instruments, as well as albums, games and movies. It’s not uncommon to walk in and see some of the traditional music scene’s biggest names perusing the selection of instruments. Music is at the heart of this town, and this space nurtures that music, thereby nurturing the rest of the community. We also recommend Mr. Toro Bakery and Taquerio. Owner Juan Carlos Salgado crafts delicious dining experiences. He specializes in authentic Mexican tacos, burritos and baked goods. Mr. Toro opened in 2019 and that same year they won an Entrepreneurship award from the Economic Development Commission. The new restaurant survived and thrived during the pandemic, which is a testament to the quality of food. Wilkesboro, North Carolina boasts a downtown that is proud of its history, and respectful of it as well. You’ll love the charming details on the architecture, and you’ll adore the people as well.
Page 53
53
Page 54
54 SUSAN TEDESCHI: IT’S ALL IN THE FAMILY
Page 55
55 By Lisa Brewer Photos provided by artist For all the talent at MerleFest, you’d be hard- pressed to find a voice more stirring than Susan Tedeschi’s. And no wonder. Her vocal ancestry, experience and personal drive are second to none. Her success has been due to both nature and nurture, with large doses of gratitude, humor and humility. That combination, it seems, runs in her family. “My mom said that I sang in the crib before I spoke,” Tedeschi said in a telephone interview during a North Carolina concert stop. “She said I would hum and sing and make up melodies. And she’d wake up and come check on me in the morning and I’d be in the crib singing away.” Tedeschi remembers that as a six-year-old, rather than attend daycare, she would attend auditions for musicals and plays. With an Irish mother contributing vocals and old Irish folk songs, and her Italian father contributing guitar, harmonica, and more vocals, the future GRAMMY winner had a strong family foundation in music. Tedeschi remembers her parents sitting around the table and singing Bob Dylan songs. In fact, she and her parents still make music together. But there’s more. Her paternal grandfather’s cousin was opera star Josephine Sabino. “Aunt Jo,” Tedeschi recalled with obvious admiration, “She was adorable. She had an incredible, an absolutely incredible story. I don’t even know where to begin with her. You could do a whole book on her.” Tedeschi said that the coloratura soprano “did things with her voice that I could never do.” As a teenager, Sabino sang the lead in Aida at La Scala opera house in Milan, Italy. The theatre record noted an unusual 11 encores. The up-and-coming star even sang with the legendary Enrico Caruso in an opera directed by Toscanini, Tedeschi said. “There were records of her singing,” Tedeschi said. “I played some of her stuff for [friend and opera star] Renee Fleming and Renee just started crying. She said, ‘Who is it and why don’t I know who she is?’” A promising career was cut short when a jealous colleague spread the false tale that Sabino was sleeping with the show’s producer. Sabino’s parents took a boat to Italy and made the young woman come home. “She was JFK’s favorite singer,” Tedeschi chuckled. “She sang at his inauguration. And she taught me how to breathe when I was little. That changed everything for me. “I am a ‘belter’ and I really wanted to project on stage,” she said. “I wanted to be able to belt and sustain it without hurting myself.” Later, vocal instructors with backgrounds in opera emphasized breath support for correct, sustained singing. Today, to support important breathing techniques and make the most of her voice, Tedeschi practices yoga. Her mat goes with her on the road for meditation and strength training, although her Peloton bike remains at home. Tedeschi was, and remains today, a fan of Etta James and Aretha Franklin. And, of course, her Aunt Jo. “She was the sweetest thing,” Tedeschi said. “She spoke all these languages – Italian, German, French, Spanish – because she sang in all those languages. She was a huge foundation.”
Page 56
56 Thanks in part to the positive influence of Aunt Jo and her grandmother Marie Tedeschi (who often transported the young Susan to auditions), a 10-year-old Susan Tedeschi had a chance encounter running headfirst into a tall man dressed in black in a New York City hotel. “He said, ‘Slow down little lady, where you going in such a hurry?’ I said, ‘The Bee Gees are pulling up!’” she said. The tall man turned out to be Johnny Cash, she laughed. He told her, “Maybe we’ll sing together some day,” and then he gave her an “I Love New York” button. As a 17-year-old, Tedeschi was torn between music and marine biology. She had committed, s o m e w h a t , t o a liberal arts program at Ithaca College where she also planned to participate in music and theatre. At the same time, her grandfather was good friends with Robert Ballard of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. There were not many female instrumentalists when Tedeschi was growing up. But by the time she had completed one summer semester at Berklee College of Music, she was certain of her future. Music would claim her considerable talents and energies. Tedeschi graduated from Berklee in only three years at age 20 and by 22, started her own band. The all-women trio of Annie Raines, Adrienne Hayes and Tedeschi found immediate success with blues covers and originals. “I borrowed some money from my dad and made my first record. I paid him back in six months, selling them from the stage!” Tedeschi said proudly. “And then, because I did so well on my own, we got a record deal. The label was affiliated with Rounder Records at the time. They signed me and we were hoping to sell 60,000 records and we sold 600,000 records. Which they were not expecting! And so, it just went awesome. “And ever since then, I’ve been very blessed. I get to play music and get to do what I love to do. I mean honestly, I just feel very lucky. The two things I always wanted to do growing up were sing and be a parent, and I get to do both. I have two wonderful kids, and I get to play music with my husband now. So it’s pretty amazing,” she said. In 2001, Tedeschi m a r r i e d D e r e k Trucks, who himself brought a unique musical genealogy to the union. The nephew of Butch Trucks, a founding member of the Allman Brothers Band, Derek was a child guitar prodigy who, like Tedeschi, played in local bands at age 13. By age 20, he had appeared onstage with Joe Walsh, Stephen Stills, Bob Dylan and more. “I feel like I want to help influence a lot of young women to be able to play guitar and sing and write,” Tedeschi said. “It’s not just a man’s world. You can do this if this is your passion. I’ve had so many young girls who are so talented, playing guitar, and writing, and doing all this amazing stuff, reach out to me. That is just the best! “I want to leave people with the idea that music is so communal,” she continued. “And it should be men and women. Women have so much to say. We’re so emotional. We can really connect with people, with audiences on levels that maybe not everybody can, you know?
Page 57
ADVAN CE TICKETS $ 15 Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road His & Hers BackPorch Bluegrass Featuring free kids’ activities – unique vendors – delicious foods classic car show – auction – bring your own chairs, please! WWW.CBCBLUEGRASS.COM – Carolina Bible Camp 1988 Jericho Church Road – Mocksville, NC & BREWER BREWER SCYTHIAN Bluegras 9 Annual Carolina Bible Camp Festiva SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 th
Page 58
58 “Do what you’re passionate about,” she concluded. “Don’t let people tell you that you can’t.” By 2010, the couple formed the Tedeschi Trucks Band. They have two children whose school schedules have kept them from attending MerleFest in the past. But the grown-ups have loved it. “I’m always blown away by how sweet everyone is,” Tedeschi said, referring to the general Americana music family. “All of the camaraderie. Very fun. It’s just like a small world.” One of her favorite MerleFest memories was singing “Bell Bottom Blues” and “Gimme Shelter” with Sam Bush and his band, the recollection of which led to a discussion of MerleFest’s Hillside Album Hour. Would she be participating in the project, always one of the festival’s most closely guarded secrets? “I don’t know,” Tedeschi said. “I don’t always know exactly what they have planned for us until we get there. I don’t know any details. I would love to.” Susan Tedeschi brings her rich and soulful natural vocal talent, perfected by opera techniques, yoga, and strength training to every performance. She is supported by family that has come before her and by family that stands beside her. The only ones left breathless will be the grateful audience. Foothills Digest Coeditor Lisa Brewer is Executive Director of Carolina Bible Camp Bluegrass Festival in Mocksville, NC. She is grateful to live with her husband, attorney Greg Brewer, in their Wilkesboro, NC home only ten minutes away from breathtaking MerleFest performances.
Page 59
59
Page 60
60
Page 62
SCHEDULE: MerleFest App: foothills Digest The team Foothills Digest and Eckard Photographic are here to help you tell your story. Whether you need commercial photography, writing, design or more, we’ve got you covered. 828.475.1323 & Stop by our booth in the Shoppes at MerleFest. We believe learning is hands hands-on. That’s why we stuff our kids magazine full of activities that help make learning more fun. Our goal is to get our kids magazines in the hands of 3rd, 4th and 5th graders of western NC for free. You can help! Call 828.475.1323 or visit our Facebook page to make a donation!
Page 63
63
Page 64
64 Every one of the “Traditional Plus” artists who are gracing the stage this year have embodied the ideals of MerleFest. Each artist brings their signature style to the stage in a four-day celebration that’s sure to elicit smiles, togetherness, and plenty of dancing. Photography provided by the artists or MerleFest. The included QR codes link to music the artist shareWs online. Information about artists is collected from their websites. Please do note that sometimes new artists are added after printing, and someone may cancel. Check the MerleFest app for the most current lineup. Amythyst Kiah A soulful powerhouse who believes that infusing her activism into each ballad makes her voice give even the most reluctant blues aficionado goosebumps. With her blend of country style and somewhat hillbilly vibe, Amythyst channels strength, courage, and superb funk. She commands her message and delivers songs straight from her southern roots. She works tirelessly with a wonderful team to help get her inspiring songs out into the world in a way that they deserve to be seen and heard. She’s even provided some background vocals for the Indigo Girls, as her balladeer style rounds out a well-versed and blended artistry of sound. Andrew Scotchie & The River Rats These North Carolina natives can be likened to a rock jam band of sorts. Their high energy blues and funk began as a street busking project in 2011, and they’ve since made the rounds on the southern music scene with their live dynamic shows. As a trio, their voices blend in such a way as to appeal to the most dedicated blues rocker. This big energy, funk-ti-fied rock n’ roll band with a jam-band like in the moment spirit have set themselves apart as showing a touch of fierceness with even punk rock. You’ll get a show that will have familiar songs but with a twist that offers a listener something special to that moment. Balsam Range Artist Guide
Page 65
65 Founded in 2007, this five-member band blends their crossover style of traditional bluegrass and acoustic eclectic mixes, with a wide range of western North Carolina energy. Each musician has their own style and range of voice that will blow you away, especially since they’ve been awarded Song of the Year, Album of the Year, and IBMA Vocal Group of the Year. As the 2018 International Bluegrass Music Association’s Entertainers of the Year, Balsam Range brings listeners so much joy and many chills once they begin singing and strumming. They even feel like medicine to the soul. The Barefoot Movement The Barefoot Movement is a three-person band consisting of Noah Wall, who does vocals and plays the fiddle, Tommy Norris the mandolinist, and Katie Blomarz on the upright bass. The band started in 2006 and debuted in 2011 with their album Footwork . According to the band they play, “gloriously addictive, instantly memorable tunes shored up by silky smooth bluegrass and Americana harmonies and laced with tantalizing flecks of bluesy grit.” During the Covid pandemic they kept busy with their livestream show “The Barefoot Movement Variety Show”. Their most recent CD release was entitled Rise and Fly . They tour nationwide now and can be found online at their website and social media pages. They will perform at MerleFest on Thursday and Friday. Banknotes This Wilkes County Americana band feels like a step back into the old bluegrass performances of way back when. The seven- member band keeps their melodies and lyrics full of whimsy and wonder. Their fiddle-strumming and guitar-playing can be traced back to the music of Ireland. The lead guitarist and banjo player have a penchant for history and it shows up in the band’s music. They’ve performed at MerleFest since its beginning in 1988, and if that doesn’t attest to their strength and fortitude as bluegrass musicians with a solid presence, well, we’ll leave it up to audiences to get an up- close-and-personal taste of their artistry.
Page 66
66 Bill and the Belles As a Tennessee band, every song contains some sort of tongue-in- cheek quips that give the listener a sense that everybody is chock full of happiness. Their sound is a blend between rural and urban music, a cross between vaudeville and their down home roots, and a string band that stretches to its own style. They have a mission to keep their tunes in line with the familiar and timeless, however once they step onto the stage and begin playing, every song packs an emotional punch. In a nutshell, Bill and the Belles sing about the frustrations that smalltown living can create, as they present their music in an exuberant performance. Their lyrics are sassy and dedicated to the richness in character that these small towns offer. That’s one of the perks of Bill and the Belle’s music; it’s not always the down and out about small towns, but rather the celebrations on how being totally fun and ridiculous on stage can translate through their music. Rolling Stone says “Bill and the Belles is committed to helping early country music remain appreciated – not just replicated.” “All that’s missing when you spin a track from Bill & the Belles is the hiss of a 78 in the background” opines Blue Ridge Magazine. Blistered Hearts This lovely trio is a perfect collision of a classical and twangy sound creating sultry music to your weary ears. They are a clash of two worlds, the classically trained and the Southern Appalachian vibes. With their thoughtful harmonies and unique songwriting, they believe nothing connects to the human heart quite like the human voice. Their sound reflects every note of these beliefs, as this band has always been a labor of love and joy. Bursting onto the scene with their transformative lyrics, it’s no surprise that Blistered Hearts entrances their audiences at every performance and keeps them wanting more. Brittney Spencer A true blue Tennessee transplant girl who brings her beautiful angelic voice to the mainstream as a singer-songwriter with a
Page 67
67 free spirit and a love for molding life, truth, and wild imagination into her songs. Originally from Baltimore, she caught the storytelling bug and moved to Nashville with a dream of writing and singing country music. Not only has she performed with high-profile singers since they got wind of her voice and style, but she was named Country Music Award’s Female Vocalist of the Year in 2020. Brittney has a vocal range that highlights her inner beauty as well as her outer musical proficiency. As humble of an artist as she is, she never forgets her roots or how many hours of toiling away it took to achieve country star status. Cane Mill Road Based in North Carolina, Liam Purcell is the brainchild behind the rising status of this band. They draw their inspiration from the deepest Appalachian roots while finding connections to almost all elements of American music. They have been rapidly rising on the bluegrass music scene for years, even though Liam is only 18 years old. They rock the traditional standards and echoes of old-time bluegrass, yet manage to go bold with their original tunes that give their thousands of fans something to appreciate. Billboard-charting artists Liam Purcell and Cane Mill Road perform internationally and stateside winning both industry awards and the hearts of fans who turn out to see them at some of the most iconic venues in America over the past six years. Carol Rifkin As an award-winning vocalist, Carol is focused on singing and harmonizing with vintage bluegrass, early country, and completely original songs that showcase her vast talents. Besides her singing, playing, dancing and writing, she emcees events like Asheville’s annual Mountain Dance and Folk Festival (the nation’s oldest) and has taught guitar and dance at prestigious music camps. Not only does her roaring voice shine, but her entertainment style offers listeners and festival goers a chance to shimmy up a storm. Carol’s impressive resume reads like a who’s who of old-timey, early country, and original style music. In fact, Doc Watson asked her to put together a showcase called “Women Who Sing Traditional.” She invtes six women and they all play together at MerleFest on Sunday. She also plays in the Doc Watson showcase on Friday. Once she begins her foot-stomps on stage, look out! When Doc Watson was alive and thriving, Carol even had the opportunity to hit the stage dancing with the legendary American guitarist. The picture above was taken right after that performance by Tom Watts.
Page 68
68 Charles Welch As the late Doc Watson’s right hand man, Charles is a mountain music machine. With his blues tunes, he elegantly finger picks his guitar, plays harmonica, and shares his wonderfully textured soulful vocals. He is a veteran performer who has been playing music for more than 30 years. Charles delights his listeners with a variety of folk, blues, traditional, and Americana styles. Coming from the old-school composition playbook, Charles re-inspires generations to appreciate the lyrical styles from the 1920s and 1930s in his efforts to magically weave harmonies. Charley Crockett Charley is an American blues, country, and Americana artist who sings, plays the guitar, and writes his own songs. And wouldn’t you know it? He’s a distant relative of the famous folk hero and frontiersman, Davy Crockett. Born in Texas, Charley learned the tricks of the musical trade while visiting his uncle in the French Quarter of New Orleans. From that point on, he traveled everywhere with his guitar, playing music on the streets of New Orleans and a swath across the Lone Star state. Charley’s interesting backstory has lent itself to his musical success. He’s recorded 10 albums within a span of six years, and it’s safe to say he’s on a roll. He’s got a sound, he’s got something to say, he’s got a look, and a veil of mystery surrounding him suggesting he’s got more to say than he’s letting on. Once he takes the stage, it’s clear he’s invested as much time in the studio, recording storytelling songs, and making storytelling videos, as he has enthusiastically traveling around the United States and Europe playing to sold-out shows. Chatham Rabbits This Americana duo who has created a plethora of original songs. Their music has been described as “immediate, personal, available,” and it’s no surprise this lovely collaborative effort doesn’t try to be hip or super pure.
Page 69
69 What this duet brings to the stage and overall music scene is, in part, North Carolina’s tradition of artists who embrace the state’s vast cultural resources and diverse musical lore. Both Austin and Sarah, the voices behind Chatham Rabbits, are complete history buffs. In fact, they blend in their own backstories into a shared musical experience. Sarah’s the banjo and vocalist virtuoso while Austin plays guitar and keyboards to bring together a musical extravaganza unlike any other. The Cleverlys The Cleverlys are a five person, f aux-family band showcasing a comedy and music blend. They specialize in bluegrass covers to put a spin on well known songs. They have performed at venues across the country including Stagecoach, Telluride, CMA Music Fest and the Grand Ole Opry. If you want to laugh and enjoy some good music at the same time then this is the band for you. They are scheduled to tour at concerts and fairs across the South and Midwest this fall. They have an in-depth website to track their tour as well as a strong social media presence. One of their songs, a cover of Flo Rida’s “Low,” went viral on Facebook. Join Digger Cleverly, Ricky Lloyd, Sock, DVD and Cub for some unforgettable bluegrass spins on Friday at MerleFest. Cordovas An American rock band from Nashville who blend a little bit of folk, country, and groove-heavy rock and roll, these Tennessee- based musicians invite endless celebrations, play and write songs that rhapsodize with dynamic intensity, and always showcase their freewheeling style. After forming in 2011, the band has matched their richly layered reflection to a sound that zeroes in straight to the soul. Every recording session with the Cordovas becomes a celebration of intense body-moving power. They believe in “breaking free from the false shell.” Always questioning their motives for songwriting and melody, this raucous and transcendent band lives free of fear and explodes on stage with such a captivating style that audiences react with jaw-dropping glee. Creole Stomp with Dennis Stroughmatt
Page 70
70 This is quite possibly the hardest working band that displays the Louisiana style of music that hard chargers love. They’ve got a honky- tonk feel, a blues style of energy, a Cajun and country and Zydeco dance vibe that gets audiences up and stomping! Creole Stomp serves up tradition with sides of entertaining swamp-pop, blues, and funkiness that will have you scratching your head wondering if they’re actually from Louisiana or not. Even though today the band calls Illinois home, these boys have been around the music scene and venues for 19 years, playing at festivals, breweries, and the creme de la creme--Mardi Gras. Fans have followed their music throughout the years, and there’s never a disappointed seat in the house. Darin & Brooke Aldridge This husband and wife duo draw on the traditions of their native North Carolina and are both highly acclaimed vocalists in their own right. Considered to be one of the hottest acts in acoustic music, they’ve surrounded themselves with an impressive band of equally awesome pickers. A young, savvy, and gifted band, they are the new generation of bluegrass music. In 2017, they were invited to play alongside an all- star musical cast of noteworthy artists from around the globe, harmonizing in country, bluegrass, rock, gospel, and blues. This Aldridge team of creative alchemy continues to sell out every show they’re involved in and their appearances on stage are fast becoming legendary. They’ve managed to land multiple Top 10 singles in the challenging year of 2020, and also hold the #1 slot on the Roots Music Reports “Top 50 Contemporary Bluegrass Chart” five out of six weeks in a row during the summer of that year. Donna the Buffalo Donna The Buffalo is not just a band, rather one might say that Donna The Buffalo has become a lifestyle, for its members and for it’s fans. Donna the Buffalo was Americana long before an Americana genre came along. The band has played thousands of shows and are an integral part of the traditional and non traditional festival circuit. With their loyal following, The Herd, they tour the country performing their mix of original songs, danceable grooves and musical influences which range from traditional to more contemporary styles. Jeb Puryear and Tara Nevins, original members and founders of Donna the Buffalo, are joined by David McCracken, Ted Pecchio and Chris English. They are always at MerleFest and it’s hard to imagine the festival without them now. Find out more on their site, donnathebuffalo.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Page 71
71 We are the preferred providers of oral surgery, wisdom teeth and dental implants for many area employers. No matter where you live or work, you’re close to one of our office Visit our website at www.omsdrs.com . Welcome to the newest member of our practice, Jesse Onekhena, DMD, MD
Page 72
72 Eli Yacinthe As a native of North C a r o l i n a , E l i h a s immersed himself in his musical roots since hanging out with his mom and singing at home and at church with her. He was a musically gifted child and he picked up a knack for banging on the drums at age 2, later moving on to the piano. His ability to learn notes and harmonies and memorize them has added to his artistry as a musician. When his father showed Eli how to play the guitar at age 10, he wasn’t in love with the instrument. But now? Eli continues to rock venues with his vast array of musical styles, including jazz, blues, country, rock, R&B, and he even delves into the big band niche. Gate 10 With their strong passion for gospel, country, and bluegrass music, this ensemble produces a high energy musical style of classic rock and old country. They broke the bluegrass mold and created a niche whereby their cutting edge and hard-driving sound makes them a sight to behold. They have a rich, mature sound, despite the youngest band member being only 10 years old. Gate 10 is a highly entertaining band to watch, what with the range of vocals of the ‘oldest’ members--being only 18, 20, and 22. Aside from guitar and banjo playing, there’s fiddle, bass, mandolin, and dobro to accompany every song that this band belts out. Gate 10 has been pushing the boundaries of bluegrass music since forming in 2018. Handlebar Betty This is a harmony-driven folk-grass band who brings to stage modern stories with an old-time feel. Laced with elements of bluegrass, folk, and rock and roll, Handlebar Betty creates a unique sound that is earthy, dark, and driving, bringing forth a genuine and soulful approach to acoustic/electric music. Genre bending and harmony driven, their songwriting is honest and to the point, as they explore life’s journey through joy, sorrow and the silver linings that lie in between. Thunderous applause typically asks them for one encore after another,
Page 73
73 and their highly-regarded stage presence is impressive. These North Carolina folks know how to command an audience, and it is their storytelling rock sessions that captivate and inspire all the same. Hannah Juanita As a rambler and country music singer, Hannah is a genuine Tennessee gal. Her original honky-tonk music has folks coming back for more, especially as she continues to write and sing her heart out from stage to stage. She has a great vibe, an even better voice, and a dazzling debut full-length album that came out in May 2021. Called Hardliner , the artwork alone is enough to highlight just what a presence this southern charger has become. She is so authentic in how she plays country music that it’s beyond comprehension what an impression she makes on those who tune in and follow her accomplishments. Americana UK says, “Last year, Loretta Lynn declared that ‘country music is dead.’ With her debut album Hardliner , Hannah Juanita has put forward an extraordinarily strong case to the contrary.” Catch her at MerleFest before she catapults into super-stardom. Happy Traum His resume includes folk singer, guitarist, teacher, instructional video producer, husband, dad, and grandpa. Happy Traum rounds out his musical career with the simplicity of picking and singing on his guitar and meeting up with like-minded souls who share his love of music. He prefers the cozy, warm atmosphere to display his brilliant sound and musicianship. Happy Traum has played with the likes of Patty Griffin and Richard Thompson, and whenever he strums his guitar, the shows are always sold out. Being in the musical business for over 50 years has proven that Happy is at home on stage, with guitar in hand, and reveling in his esteemed musician colleagues over the years, who have one story after another to tell of days gone by. Hogslop String Band
Page 74
74 When you’re so busy When you’re so busy ‘ ‘ workin’ nine to five,’ workin’ nine to five,’ come home to your very own retreat, created by the team at Steele’s Construction. General Contractor Licenses: NC# 74498 SC# G121741 NCHBA STAR AWARDS B e ST R oom R emo D el /R e N ov AT io N , B e ST A DD i T io N , B e ST W H ole H ou S e R emo D el /R e N ov AT io N steelesconstructionllc.com 828.302.0074
Page 75
75 A Nashville-based band of four friends who got together and never looked back, The Hogslop String Band’s hometown considers them “one of the finest bands on the planet!” They are a blast to watch, a sensational talent to rock out to, and everyone who listens and attends their shows feels as though this band steals every moment with their awesome tunes. They recently released a new single called “Wild Bill Jones” to much-awaited fanfare. Pure entertainment, this cross- genre musical band pushes the boundaries of what old-time country could and should be. With their blending of country, psych, and astounding stamina, Hogslop is rooted in traditional southern American old-time string band music. Every band member was exposed to these types of melodies as they all grew up in the south and their sound is rooted in their heritage. Formed in 2009, the band has become one of the most exciting, floor-stomping musical rides you’ll ever see perform on stage. Into the Fog This artistic experience is a genre-jumping string band located in Raleigh, North Carolina. With its members having various backgrounds ranging from bluegrass, country, rock, to funk, Into The Fog creates a musical melting pot of sounds in an acoustic/ newgrass-type of setting. Bluegrass purists have labeled their sound as “Newgrass” however audiences who attend their shows in droves have come to appreciate the gospel they are preaching and appear to be perfectly content with their foggy genre, especially since their sound is so clear. This year, they have set their sights on making a statement with their music and gearing up for the next chapter of their musical journey. Iron Horse Bluegrass These gents formed their band in the year 2000 in the great state of Alabama. Their roots trace back to the late 1970s when two of Iron Horse’s band members were involved with other popular and local Muscle Shoals, Alabama groups. These men create much of their own music, and with three self-produced albums under their belts, they gallop across several genres of musical harmonies. Their list of song tributes to bands who have inspired them include Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne, Led Zeppelin, Guns N’ Roses, Hank Williams, and many more--to name a few. The skill and ability to rearrange metal tunes to bluegrass pickings while maintaining the ideals of the original artists is absolutely exceptional. Metal-heads can rejoice with Iron Horse, as well as feel confident and comfortable enough that their southern root compositions come shining through to entertain and for years to come.
Page 76
76 Jack Lawrence Jack Lawrence is an A m e r i c a n m u s i c i a n b o r n a n d r a i s e d i n K e n t u c k y , w h o currently calls Nashville his home. Notably, after the death of Merle Watson in 1985, Lawrence became Doc Watson’s full- time performing partner. Be sure to check out his 2013 album Arthel’s Guitar which uses Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson ’s guitar recordings. He plays a variety of instruments and partners with several prominent bands to reveal an artist who is completely at ease in the company of others. Jack is a multiinstrumentalist who plays guitar, banjo, guitar, piano, mandolin, accorion, clarinet and the autoharp, as well as singing. Jack Lawrence is a frequent contributor to other traditional music albums. Jeff Little Trio RELAX RELAX Searching for your new homestead shouldn’t be a challenge. Rely on a local expert for a stress-free experience.
Page 77
77 Hailing from the mountains of North Carolina, Jeff is a musician with an award-winning style who plays exceptionally and remarkable tunes on the piano. Jeff and his trio remain busy with their traveling the country, performing concerts with an energy and dedication that is evident at every show. He’s been featured at The Smithsonian Institution, folk festivals and performances in music venues throughout the United States, as well as NPR and PBS. Jeff Little was inducted into the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame for his piano-playing virtuoso. Jim Lauderdale This Trouthman, North Carolina artist has garnered a Grammy award as an Americana s i n g e r / s o n g w r i t e r specializing in country and bluegrass. Since 1986, Jim has released 32 studio albums and has collaborated with many artists. When asked which collaborations stood out to him by Repeat Play, he said, “Elvis Costello, George Jones, Ralph Stanley, Robert Hunter. I got to sing a lot with Lucinda Williams. I’ve got a lot of residual inspiration by osmosis, just by being so close to her.” Jim is a man of great style, a consummate entertainer, a terrific songwriter, and somewhat of a renaissance man. His tremendous voice and powerful lyrics in the genres of country, rock, and bluegrass offer shades of his Americana style. His latest album Hope aligns with Jim’s overall philosophy about life. Each song on the disc is a joyous musical tribute to the spirit of overcoming hard times in a spirit of inspirational healing. He believes in the power of messaging within his songs, as he shares his thoughtful and meditative vibe with listeners. Lauderdale is also trained in a form of Tai Chi called ‘qigong,’ which has been developed to enrich and balance life energy, or chi. Jim’s music is reflective of that training, and it enriches the listener with a sense of balance and excitement. Jody Carroll Jody Carroll has become the newest blues artist audiences can’t live without. His textured blues and dark melodies that reveal his roots are simply haunting. He’s been considered one of the most important players to ever hit the blues scene. Jody has a fingerpicking and slide skill on his guitar that challenge listeners to understand his storytelling truthfulness. He has an
Page 78
78 incredible grasp and history of the roots of blues music that comes through in each performance. Jody effortlessly creates bold interpretations of old lbues and Americana folk music with his own songs, stories, and interpretational journeys. Born in the San Joaquin Delta of California, Jody has become a finger style/slide guitar master and soulful singer who blends mountain music, jazz, rock, and old blues into one melting pot of a power packed pot of truthful tunes. He took off into the backwoods of Old Folk and Americana music and has never looked back. Joe Smothers A Piedmont native, Joe Smothers began his musical career at the age of 13. After hearing the legendary Doc Watson on the radio, he was determined to have a musical career of his own. He got his first guitar at a local pawn shop and played wherever he could. This determination earned him a spot in Doc and Merle’s band Frosty Morn. As a member, he toured extensively and recorded numerous albums. After Doc’s passing, Joe went solo. Since then a blend of folk, rock, hill music, storytelling and bluegrass can be heard in every one of Joe’s performances. His music is on several platforms including YouTube, Apple Music and ReverbNation. Don’t miss his tribute to Doc and Merle Watson: listen by using the QR code in this listing. Joe Troop (of Che Apalache) Joe Troop is a singer, s o n g w r i t e r , m u l t i - instrumentalist and founder of the GRAMMY nominated group Che Apalache. An openly gay bluegrass artist, Troop passionately engages in political activism which began when the band experienced Covid-19 related performance cancellations in 2020. Joe was born and raised in rural North Carolina. He lived 10 years in Argentina and went to college in Spain. It is during this time he learned Spanish which has influenced much of his music recordings and performances. Not forgetting his roots, he returned to the United States. He would eventually found Che Apalache and be a part of a movement that seeks to establish flourishing diversity all over the country. Borrowed Time , his first solo album, expresses the determination he gives to his music and his activism. Each song intends to speak positivity and spark positive action. The album is available on his website, www. joetroop.com.
Page 79
79 JOHNNYSWIM Husband and wife duo Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano are at the helm of the group known as JOHNNYSWIM. Writers of their own music, the band’s sound is a mix of soul, rock, and pop. Each note in their 2010 eponymous debut album JOHNNYSWIM is a reflection of the harmonies that mark each performance. JOHNNYSWIM began touring regularly in 2013. It was during this time that the song “Don’t Let It Get You Down” clocked 17 million Spotify streams. In 2014, the song “Home” became the theme of the hit HGTV show Fixer Upper . They have enjoyed acclaim from several media outlets and performed on television for shows like CONAN and The Today Show . With a second child introduced to the world, Abner and Amanda would go on to write and record with GRAMMY award-winning Malay. The collaboration with the singer/songwriter produced Moonlight ; 12 tracks of smooth but echoing guitar and high flying vocals. Moonlight , and all other music by JOHNNYSWIM, is available on almost every music streaming service and their website www.johnnyswim.com VINTAGE MARKET Friday, October 1 1:00 PM-6:00 PM Saturday, October 2 9:00 AM-4:00 PM West Main Taylorsville Fairgrounds 170 Fairgrounds Road Taylorsville, NC 28681 Admission: $5.00 1-day pass $8.00 2-day pass Quality Vendors Quality Vendors Food Trucks Food Trucks Antiques Antiques Advertising Advertising and more... and more...
Page 80
80 Ken Crouse is mycologist in Western North Carolina, considered the mushroom capital of America. He is an experienced naturalist, herbalist, farmer and storyteller. A longtime member of the North American Mycological Association, Ken shares his knowledge of mushrooms whenever he can. He has led countless mushroom walks for various organizations throughout the south Appalachian region. When he is not sharing his wealth of understanding and knowledge he and his wife Cindy, operate Peaceful Valley Gardens. In addition to mushrooms, they grow a variety of native fruits (all of which are grown organically), run a nursery and perform landscaping. The Krüger Brothers The Krüger Brothers were born in Europe and were raised in a musical home. When the boys were very young, they would put a guitar on the floor between them. One would play the top two strings and the other would play the bottom three. They’ve been making music together since then, getting their first record contract when the younger of the brothers was only 17. The band consists of Jens and Ewe Krüger and Joel Landsburg. The three have been playing together since 1995, and in 2002 they moved to the United States. They are known for blending classical and folk music, and they do so in a very honest Born and raised in rural Kentucky, Kelsey Weldon can be thought of as your normal everyday American girl. Yet, this country singer/songwriter boasts a career that spans more than 15 years. She is employing a talent that has given her many stages to perform on and exposure to high profile artists in the country music genre. Her roots are in tobacco farming and cattle raising. Instead of taking on the family business, she picked up the guitar when she was 13. She went to college to major in songwriting and music business as a way of gaining a greater foothold in the industry. In 2007 she self-released four EPs and her debut LP “Goldmine.” Since then, three full albums have been released. I’ve Got A Way, her sophomore album, ranked #2 on NPR’s most acclaimed list of the year: Fresh Air host Ken Tucker’s “Top Ten Favorite albums of 2016.” Ken Crouse Kelsey Weldon
Page 81
81 and melodious way. Joel explains why they are able to connect with their audience, saying, “We don’t exclude them from the creative process that’s happening on stage, and I think that’s something that people appreciate in our performances. We’re not playing at them, we’re saying, ‘Listen to what we found, listen to this.’” Laura Boosinger Laura is considered one of North Carolina’s most noted banjo players and a talented singer. She has been involved with music since she was 18. At that age she attended Warren Wilson College to study banjo. In 1984, she joined the Luke Smathers Band as a banjo player. For 13 years she traveled to country playing for the group. Over the years she added guitar, the Appalachian dulcimer and finger-style autoharp to her instrumental repertoire. With experience in old-time classic country, waltzes, breakdown, boogie, and gypsy music, Laura embarked on a solo career in 1997. Very much in demand, she has performed in concerts and other festivals. She also gives school performances, hosts workshops and teaches old-time shaped-note singing. Further information, including tour dates, and album information can be found at www. lauraboosinger.com. LeAnn Rimes L e A n n R i m e s i s a n e x t r a o r d i n a r i l y successful singer and songwriter. Her powerful vocals have been heard by many different people around the world since she was only 14 years old. In 2018, she was an executive producer and actress, appearing on the Hallmark movie It’s Christmas, Eve , and earned them the largest debut audience viewing for an original TV movie. The movie reached 4.3 million viewers! In November of 2020, she released her very own chant record that was called CHANT: The Human and The Holy (Soul of EverLe/Thirty Tigers) . Her goal was to help heal people who were growing through horrible times this past year. The world was hurting, and LeAnn wanted to be the voice that brought hope to people during their darkest times. On November 30, she made her iHeart Radio Podcast titled Wholly Human accessible to the public. In this podcast, she brings a voice to her lifestyle blog, “Soul of EverLe.” She shares with her audience the mentors and teachers who have had an extremely positive impact on her life. With these words of wisdom, she hopes to help people feel more connected in the fragmented society of today’s world. Many of her songs have also gone multi- platinum Internationally. In addition to winning ASCAP awards as a songwriter, she
Page 82
82 has sold more than 44 million units globally. LeAnn won two GRAMMYs, one Country Music Association Award, twelve Billboard Music Awards, three Academy of Country Music Awards, a Dove Award, and two World Music Awards. As early as the age of 12, LeAnn Rimes won the GRAMMY for Best New Artist, making her the youngest winner of a GRAMMY Award. The Human Rights Campaign added to her award collection by making her the recipient of the Ally of Equality Award given her support of equal rights for more than 20 years. She also won the 2009 ACM Humanitarian Award and the 2019 HOPE Award for her active involvement in depression advocacy. LeAnn Rimes is a singer and songwriter who is dedicated to supporting those who are struggling around her. She has continued to use her strong voice as a singer and author, but also as a creator of hopeful content that she wants to share with the world. Don’t miss her at MerleFest on Friday. The Local Boys The Local Boys consist of Aaron Soots on guitar, Steven Davidson on mandolin, Eric Childers playing dobro, Tommy Rapè on banjo, and Jesse Chattin playing bass. All five contribute vocals as well. They play a variety of instruments and the group has nearly 130 combined years of performance experience. Their music is influenced by old- time, bluegrass, country, and rock ‘n’ roll. The Local Boys have performed at MerleFest for the last 22 years and are a mainstay here. You can see their full tour list and more on their website, www.thelocalboysband.com, and on social media. They frequently play private parties, weddings, corporate events and more. They will perform at MerleFest Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Los Texmaniacs Los Texmaniacs is a conjunto band founded by Max Baca in 1997. The band’s musical style is a combination of Tejano, blues, rock, country and Jazz. The group includes nephew Josh on accordion, Lorenzo Martinez on drums, and Noel Hernande on electric bass. Max acts as manager, lead vocalist and player of the bajo sexto. Baca was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He learned the accordion from both his father and grandfather. At age 12, he and his brother Jimmy formed the band Los Hermanos Baca. Hit after hit with this band gave him the experience he needed to found and manage Los Texmaniacs. In 2010, Borders Y Bailes became the group’s piece de resistance. It won a GRAMMY Award for Tejano Album of the Year. In addition
Page 83
83 to touring and recording, the group has collaborated with artists like Rick Trevino, Flaco Jimenez, and Los Lobos. Their website, www.lostexmaniacs.com is the group’s primary online source of music, tour dates, and other information. The Maggie Valley Band The Maggie Valley Band consists of two sisters from Maggie Valley, North Carolina. Band members Whitney and Caroline Miller grew up playing the piano daily and decided to put their skills to good use in performance. They released their album, The Hardest Thing in 2018 and the singles “Silence” and “Something New” in 2019. Their sound has been referred to as “Dark Appalachian”. Their music has been described by Meeghan Kane of Auntie Bellum Magazine as music that will, “simultaneously crush your soul and send your heart soaring.” When performing, Whitney Miller sings and plays the guitar, mandolin, harmonica, and banjitar. Sister Caroline Miller sings and plays bass and percussion. They have many tour dates in venues across NC and the south the rest of the year and can be found online on their website, www.themaggievalleyband. com, and social media. They will perform at MerleFest on Saturday. Margo Price Price, a native of Aledo, Illinois, began her career as a church choir singer and piano player. Coming of age, she went to college to study dance and theater. In 2003, however, she determined that music was her calling and moved to Nashville, Tennessee. There, she worked a number of odd jobs while building her career. She married Jeremy Ivey and they formed the band Buffalo Clover and later, Margo and the Price Tags. After going solo, she released Midwest Farmer’s Daughter , her first full album. In 2016 she was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live . Her second work, All American Made , released in 2017, was named Rolling Stone’s #1 Country/Americana Album of the Year. That’s How Rumors Get Started , her current work, is making waves in the United States. In 2019, she was nominated for a GRAMMY for Best New Artist, so keep your eye on her. She has already found great popularity in Europe. In fact, her last album reached number one on the UK Country Album chart. All tour dates and music can be found on her website, www.margoprice.net. Catch her Thursday at MerleFest.
Page 84
84 Mark Bumgarner Mark Bumgarner is an annual MerleFest p a r t i c i p a n t . T h e s i n g e r / s o n g w r i t e r ’ s p e r f o r m a n c e s a r e often considered ‘pure southern Americana’. Yet, much of his music contains tones of the Appalachian Mountains, west coast country, folk rock sounds of the ‘60s and ‘70s, Tin Pan Alley, and deep south blues. A North Carolina native, he has been a solo artist most of his career. A dynamic songwriter in his own right, he works to engage with the audience while he performs. In addition to singing and songwriting, Mark is also the co-host of Merlefest’s Chris Austin Songwriting Contest. More information about Mark and his music can be found at www.markbumgarnermusic. com. Mary Flower Best known for her mastery of the Piedmont style of acoustic guitar, Mary is Denver native who moved to Portland in 2004. She is also a singer, songwriter and teacher. Her music is rooted in Mississippi blues but her talent includes the swing, ragtime, folk and hot jazz styles. Mary’s musical story begins in Delphi, Indiana. She grew up in a musical family and, as a high school student, began performing before audiences. In 1972, while in Denver she teamed up with country/folksinger Katy Moffat, venturing out on several successful tours. She settled to raise a family in Denver, but continued making music at the same time. While in Portland, Mary would continue to expand her career. First, she signed with Yellow Dog Records. Second, she gained recognition as an educator of fingerstyle guitar picking. By 2014, a total of 13 records, five instructional guides, four awards and three music nominations would establish her as a premier finger-style guitarist. More of Mary can be found on her website www. maryflower.com. Mavis Staples A Chicagoan by birthright, Mavis’ vocal talents span more than 50 years. Her long, successful career has been in the backdrop of many changes in American life. Many of those positive changes can be attributed to her musical
Page 85
85 prowess and activism.A world of music opened up for Mavis in 1950. She and her family would sing locally for churches and on radio. The Staples would eventually be signed to Vee-Jay Records and take their show on the road. A host of nominations and awards would accompany The Staples Singers over that time. Two memorable songs “Respect Yourself” and “I’ll Take You There” each received GRAMMY nominations. Before going solo, Mavis would be alongside the rest of The Staples Singers when the 2004, GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award would be given to the group. As a solo artist, she leaves deep marks in the blues genre. Have A Little Faith , for example, garnered the B lues Music Awards Album of the Year, Soul Blues Album of the Year and Song of the Year recognitions in 2005. In 2021, she achieved Blue Music Awards Entertainer of the Year and Instrumentalist- Vocals Awar ds . Having no desire to rest on her laurels, Mavis still continues to tour and record. Much of her work can be found on www.mavisstaples.com. Melissa Etheridge Melissa Etheridge is an American rock and roll artist who uses her passionate voice to sing with conviction. She began writing songs as early as age 11 and continued to practice her skills in various bands throughout her teenage years. Etheridge was influenced by artists such as Pete Townshend and Bruce Springsteen. She signed with the founder of Island Records, Chris Blackwell, in 1986 after playing at clubs in Los Angeles for a few years. Even from the beginning of her career, her talent was undeniable. She released her debut album in 1988 titled Melissa Etheridge . This album included the hit single “Bring Me Some Water” that received a GRAMMY nomination. She released her second album Brave and Crazy in 1989 and then Never Enough in 1992. Her third album with the hit single “Ain’t It Heavy” allowed her to win a GRAMMY that year. Etheridge performed at a gay-and-lesbian celebration in the year 1993. Soon after this performance, she released another album titled Yes I Am which contained two hit singles. Her hit singles were “Come to My Window” and “I’m the Only One”. The single “Come to My Window” earned her another GRAMMY Award. She released a book called The Truth Is…My Life in Love and Music , a look into her life, and her album Skin, both in the year 2001. Etheridge began a courageous battle with breast cancer began in 2004 followed by a memorable performance at the 2005 GRAMMY Awards ceremony. She sang an extremely heartfelt rendition of “Piece of My Heart” by Janis Joplin which left the audience completely moved. As she returned to touring in 2006, she also continued to write new songs. During this year, she wrote her song “I Need to Wake Up” for the 2006 documentary, An Inconvenient Truth. Etheridge won an Academy Award for her song and the film document won an Oscar as well. She released her album The Awakening in the following year, 2007. This was an audio autobiography of her career as a successful musician. She has released increasingly person songs throughout the years. Additional works 4th Street Feeling (2012),
Page 86
86 Memphis Rock and Soul (2016), and The Medicine Show (2019) continue to showcase her talent. After Covid forced the cancellation of Melissa Etheridge’s MerleFest 2020 performance and the festival as a whole, we are particularly grateful to see her appear in 2021! The Milk Carton Kids The Milk Carton Kids are an American indie folk duo from Eagle Rock, California. Indie Folk music is a hybrid of the acoustic guitar melodies from traditional folk music with contemporary instrumentation. The band members are Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan. They had their start in 2011 and have recorded six albums since then. One notable fact is that their first two albums were released to the public free of charge. Their music has been used in documentaries and films. They are touring in several states this fall, primarily along the West Coast. Their music, information and tour schedule can be found on their detailed website, www. themilkcartonkids.com, and also on their social media accounts. They will perform at MerleFest on Friday. Mitch Greenhill Few can claim a love for folk and traditional music like Mitch Greenhill. Born in Brooklyn, but raised in Boston, his musical influences include jaunts to Club 47 (a center of folk and traditional music making) and collaboration with his father Manny Greenhill (founder of Folklore Productions). Between these two, Mitch began his career as musician, composer, producer and author. His career took off after recording two albums for Prestige and partnering with Mayne Smith. Together they formed The Frontier. As a band they toured Britain, Italy and much of the North America. He has also worked as a session musician and produced about a dozen albums; one of those was a GRAMMY winner for Doc Watson. Mitch heads the family business, now called FLi Artists, with his son, Matt. He has represented several noted artists including Doc Watson himself, Taj Mahal and the Klezmatics. He has found the time to record releasing Blues of an Ancient Bard: A Song Cycle adapted from poems by the romantic poet William Blake. When Doc Watson received the Lifetime Achievement Award, he was unable to attend. Mitch Greenhill accepted the award in his stead. Find more of Mitch at www. mitchgreenhill.com.
Page 87
87 The Moore Brothers Jake Moore and his brother and fellow band member Ike Moore, have a unique sound with influences from multiple mainstream genres. Jakes sings lead vocals and plays instruments including keyboards, guitar, organ, mandolin, and banjo. Ike sings harmonies with Jake and plays the guitar. The combine original lyrics and an energetic stage presence to entertain their fans. They were GRAMMY contenders in both 2019 and 2020 for Pop Duo and Song of the Year. They have performed for and with everyone from Charlie Daniels to Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Their music is full of energy, fire and a unique, captivating sound. They are veteran MerleFest performers and you can see them Friday this year. Nefesh Mountain Relatively new to the scene, Nefesh Mountain has successfully merged Jewish culture with great bluegrass music. The group’s sound is a mix of Celtic folk, Eastern European, traditional Americana and Appalachian. This eclectic mix is a musical representation of an inner goal: showing the world the cultural boundaries are man-made and, therefore, meant to be broken. The husband wife team of Eric Lindberg and Doni Zasloff lead the team of five. Eric’s roots are in Georgia (where he developed his appreciation for bluegrass) but he grew up in Brooklyn. He started his music career at the age of 10, highlighting it with a degree in jazz performance from Rutgers University. Doni, a Washington D.C./Philadelphia native, earned a music theater degree from Brandeis University and started writing songs soon thereafter. Around the same time the two developed a romantic relationship, Doni realized that Jewish liturgy and bluegrass worked well together. With this in mind, she and Eric began writing songs in 2010. By 2014 the began touring. It was during that time they settled on the name Nefesh Mountain (nefesh meaning soul). Three others would join them in touring by the end of that year. Three full length albums and a compilation make up Nefesh Mountain’s discography. All of them, including the most recent Songs For The Sparrows , are available on their website www.nefeshmountain.com. American Songwriter Magazine says their latest album is, “Arguably some of the best bluegrass ever made...forging brand new paths in the grand ol’ world of bluegrass.” Rolling Stones says, “Nefesh Mountain teaches peace, understanding and acceptance with musical muscle.” The band will play at MerleFest on Sunday.
Page 88
88 Nomads and Friends The Nomads and Friends is an acoustic band influenced by bluegrass, country, Americana, and folk rock music. Expect soulful originals and electrifying covers from these two sets of siblings hailing from North Carolina. The Nomads and Friends are sure to leave a lasting impression with blending harmonies and high-energy sound. Brant Wimmer 18, plays guitar and Lake Carver, 11, plays fiddle and guitar. These siblings are from from Mocksville, NC. Elijah Moore, 17, plays mandolin and Lincoln Moore, 14, plays bass. These siblings are from Kernersville, NC. Oliver Hazard Michael Belazis, Griffin McCulloch and Devin East form the band known as Oliver Hazard (so named after the hero of the Battle of Lake Erie). Their Indie sound combines Americana with simple folk tradition. The three friends grew up together, reconnecting when Michael came back his hometown to visit family. A Facebook contest led to them banding together to form the trio. The contest win resulted in a song recording contract, which they used to propel their brand of music and their first album, 34 N. River. It is an ode to a place where they lived during its recording. The notoriety attracted the attention of the mayor of Waterville, the group’s hometown. He asked them to host a single day music festival. Now called Oliver Hazard Day , it promotes art and diversity in the community. Information about music and upcoming events can be found at www.olihazard.com. Paul Thorn Paul Thorn has been in the music business since 1997. Born and raised in Kenosha, Wisconsin, he now resides in Tupelo, Mississippi. The professional boxer turned singer-songwriter was discovered at a pizza shop by BMI representative Roger Sovine. He loved the southern rock, country and blues blends Paul brought to Americana.
Page 89
89 Since then, he has toured extensively as the opening act for stars like Huey Lewis and the News, Sting and Toby Keith. Paul has recorded and released 12 albums. 2010’s Pimps and Preachers debuted at No. 83 of the Billboard 200 chart; his highest position on the charts to date. His discography lists a number of other chart making albums as well. His most recent honor occurred in May, 2020. Multi-GRAMMY award-winning artist Diane Schuur released an album that featured a cover of Thorn’s “Everybody Looks Good At The Starting Line.” His most recent album Never Too Late To Call is now available via his website www. paulthorn.com. Pete and Joan Wernick Pete and Joan Wernick are a recognized country team. Since 1990 they have performed in the continental U.S., England, Russia, Hawaii, Israel, Holland and Denmark. Pete is often referred to as ‘Dr. Banjo’. He is a prolific banjo player and earned his PhD in sociology from Columbia University. Joan, in her own right, is an experienced guitarist and singer. Before there was Pete and Joan, there was Hot Rize. Founded by Pete, the group played together from 1978 to 1990. When it disbanded completely in 1999, Pete played duets with Joan from that time forward. They hold the distinction of being the first Americans to tour Russia as a bluegrass act. In addition to touring and recording, they are educators in bluegrass music. With Joan’s assistance, Pete has hosted more than 200 music camps, made 10 instructional videos, written one book and posted many articles via www.drbanjo.com. Pete has performed at every MerleFest since 1989. Peter Rowan Fifty years of singing and writing bluegrass music marks Peter Rowan’s professional life. He learned to play the guitar from his uncle. As a true musician, he started the band The Cupids at only14 years of age. He was introduced to bluegrass while in college. Soon thereafter, Rowan was hired by Bill Monroe as a songwriter, rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist for the Bluegrass Boys. He embarked on his solo career in the 1970’s. During this time he released several albums including Dustbowl Children and Yonder. In addition to his own bluegrass band there is Peter Rowan’s Big Twang Theory, Twang an’ Groove, Crucial Reggae, and the Free
Page 90
90 Mexican Airforce. All of these acts feature interesting collaborations with other unique musical artists. In 1997, Rowan received a GRAMMY award for his contribution to the compilation True Life Blues: The Songs of Bill Monroe . It won the Best Bluegrass Album for that year. In addition to six other GRAMMY nominations, he received the 2012 Blue Grass Star Award from the Blue Grass Heritage Foundation in Dallas, Texas. His life’s work is cataloged at www.peter- rowan.com. Piedmont Bluz The husband/wife duo, Piedmont Bluz, are masters of the Piedmont style, finger- picking. They are musical artists whose goal is to preserve the rural east coast traditions of country-blues. Each performance is an education on this aspect of African-American culture. Valerie Turner started her musical journey at the age of four. Highly experienced in guitar playing, she also plays the ukulele. Her husband Benedict, a Trinidad and Tobago native, plays the bones, washboard and harmonica. As a duo, they have been featured in many festivals and have played in Ireland, Germany and Israel. In addition to touring, Piedmont Bluz has two albums and a Piedmont Style finger-picking guitar instruction book available. All of which can be found at www.piedmontbluz.com. They have also established The Piedmont Bluz Cafe on Facebook in order to stream live performances. The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys The five member strong Po Ramblin’ Boys began a group career in 2014. CJ Lewandowski, a moonshine distillery worker at the time, founded the group to play at primarily at the distillery. It hosted musicians on a regular basis but would have CJ (who sings and plays the mandolin) when scheduled acts would not show. For a year and a half, the group played four times a week. Then, in 2016, an invitation to a festival sent to them their first out of town gig. A second one, tour of Europe came just week later. Po Ramblin’ Boys recently released Toils, Tears and Trouble . It is a 12 song album of high-energy, toe-tapping bluegrass. The mix of original songs and old numbers focuses on honoring the groups’ musical heroes and mentors. The group’s touring and recording efforts have earned them the 2018 IBMA Emerging Artists of the Year Award. Information on
Page 91
91 this, and all things Po Ramblin’ Boys, can be found at www.theporamblinboys.com. Presley Barker Presley Barker is a country/ blues musician who is a singer and songwriter. He first picked up the guitar at seven years old and took a lot of inspiration from Doc Watson. As the local community began to notice his talent, he decided he wanted to continue perfecting his talents on the guitar. He began taking lessons with the past winner of the Winfield National Guitar Championship, Steve Lewis. He also met with guitar player Wayne Henderson in Grayson County, Virginia to learn from his guitar expertise on occasion. He began traveling to places across the region to attend fiddler’s conventions and enter guitar competitions. Once this began, so did the influx of blue ribbons. When he was only ten years old, he won the Old Fiddler’s Convention adult guitar competition which was located in Galax, Virginia. This was in the year 2015. Two years later in 2017, he won the Wayne C. Henderson Guitar Championship. Aside from the big stage, he also loves to just play music with his family and friends. He does this by singing at his local church and giving concerts at various venues and festivals located around the region. Presley has taken his talent to numerous locations. He played on the NBC Today Show with Al Roker as well as the National Folk Festival. He also played at the Lowell Folk Festival, the Richmond Folk Festival, the Montana Folk Festival, Doc Watson Day Celebration in Boone, N.C., Masters of Steel String Guitar Event in Washington, D.C., David Holt’s State of Music , Silver Dollar City, PBS Song of the Mountains Show, Houstonfest, Blue Ridge Music Center, Dollywood, and, of course, MerleFest . He continues to add different venues to this list because he truly loves to play music and wants to continue to share his talents with the world. Presley has most recently been invited by Ricky Skaggs to play the Grand Old Opry in Nashville Tennessee. Ricky Skaggs is a Country Music Hall of Fame and Bluegrass Hall of Fame member, so this is quite the prestigious invitation. He released his debut album JUST-TEN in 2015 and is currently working with GRAMMY Nominated Kent Wells Productions and Dolly Parton’s producer to release more music in the near future. He is only 16 years old, but his mature passion for music and the amazing mentorship he receives will continue to carry him through his music career. Rev. Robert Jones Rev. Robert Jones is a musician, ordained minister, and storyteller. His work centers
Page 92
92 on African-American and American traditional music. Over the last 30 plus years, the reverend has made every effort t o p o p u l a r i z e t h e notion that cultural diversity should be celebrated, not just tolerated. Though he makes his home in Detroit, he has traveled all over the U.S., Canada and Europe. A fluent multi-instrumentalist, Rev. Jones plays the guitar, harmonica, mandolin, banjo and fiddle. He’s recorded six albums, been a radio broadcaster and a music teacher. His awards include being the receiver of the Kresge Arts Fellowship for Music Composition and Performance. The reverend is also a philanthropist who, along with friend Matt Watroba, founded Common Chords, a non-profit, educational organization designed to promote unity through music and the arts. Common Chords, and other activity by Rev. Jones can be found at www. revrobertjones.com. Robbie Fulks Robbie Fulks is a singer- s o n g w r i t e r w h o s e instrumental prowess includes the guitar, banjo, and fiddle. His musical career began in earnest in 1982, when he first established himself as a songwriter. In 1983, he joined Greg Cahill’s Consensus Bluegrass Band and began to teach music in 1984. In 1993, he moved further into his songwriting career as a staff member of Music Row in Nashville. Robbie’s solo work has helped him stand out in the country-bluegrass community. Albums Country Love Songs and South Mouth helped define the ‘alternative country’ movement of the 90’s. He made many appearances on television and radio. Among these are appearances are WSM’s ‘Grand Ole Opry’ and Late Night with Conan O’Brien . He was also a contributing writer to magazines like GQ, Blender and Chicago Reader . His past and most recent music can be found on his website www.robbiefulks.com. Roy Book Binder Roy is somewhat of a musical nomad. He has spent 15 plus years playing bare-knuckle blues as he traveled the U.S., Canada and Europe. As early as the 1960’s Roy’s itinerary kept him on the road. During that time he traveled with and played for the legendary Rev. Gary Davis. ‘The Book’, as he is known, recorded his first solo work in the late 1970’s. It received a 5 star review from DOWNBEAT magazine.
Page 93
93 Pawsibilities Thrift Shop is a non-profit Organization that sells donated items to raise money for pets in need. You can help by shopping at the store or by donating items! http://pawsibilitiesthriftstore.business.site 1207 Central St. N. Wilkesboro
Page 94
94 The 80’s found ‘The Book’ touring with Bonnie Raitt. Through her show he found himself onstage at the Grand Ole Opry and making an appearance on the Ralph Emery Show . Roy settled a little in the 90s, often with Jorma Kaukonen. The Good Book is Roy’s most recent release. It landed #3 on the AirPlayDirect’s Americana chart. A set of 10 original songs, the album is available on his website www.roybookbinder. com. Sam Bush Band Sam Bush has been at every MerleFest since it started. He remembers playing the first show on a flatbed truck. Sam has been on the forefront of the Newgrass movement, helping to shape the sound, a blend of modern and traditional with bluegrass roots. He’s a new member of the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, but music has been a part of his life from the beginning. His father had and extensive music collection that Sam devoured voraciously. Perhaps more importantly, his dad was a fiddler who organized weekly jam sessions. While still a teenager, Sam was a three-time national champion in the junior division of the National Oldtime Fiddler’s Contest, and he released a full album as well. His talent was noticed from the start, and making music has always been his way of life. Sam has won three GRAMMYs and continues to win awards and new fans. Sam Williams Very few artists have musical roots that run deep as those of Sam Williams. The grandson of Hank Williams and son of Hank Williams Jr., he is steeped in country music legacy. At 19, he decided that music was his calling and picked up a guitar. Sam could easily ride the coattails of his musical heritage. Instead, he is quietly building his own brand, utilizing the social world and technology befitting his generation of fans. To date, he has recorded nine singles. The World:Alone is the most poignant as it gives nod to a sister he lost to a car accident. Sam also has a new album available. Dubbed Glasshouse Children , it features country music icon Dolly Parton and mega star Keith Urban. More information is on his website, www. samwilliamsofficial.com. Sarah Shook & The Disarmers
Page 95
95 What started out as a recording project ended up becoming a years- long career for Sarah Shook and the Disarmers. Since 2013, the group has managed to make waves in the music industry. Sarah herself is no stranger to group work, having already started and been in two previous bands bearing her name. Nonetheless she and her bandmates work tirelessly to share a common thread a of grit and intensity when on the stage Sarah, a resident of North Carolina, is one of those whose music is the thread of her life. Three albums lend themselves to her career. As leader of Sarah Shook the Devil, she self- released Seven in 2013. With Sarah & the Disarmers the LPs Sidelong and Years were released in 2017 and 2018 respectively. Rolling Stone says: “This North Carolina honky- tonk punk strikes a defiant onstage posture with a voice that goes right for the throat, a feral switchblade snarl that sometimes eases and glides but never softens...coming across as Chrissie Hynde with a drawl.” Find more at www.bloodshotrecords.com. Scythian Scythian was formed by brothers Alexander and Danylo Fedoryka. They were inspired by stories their grandmother told of her life in Urkaine. There was a fiddler who would visit town, and when he showed up, word spread through the village like wildfire. Before long, everyone would close up their shops, stop whatever they were doing, and join together in a barn to dance late into the night. The brothers wanted to be part of that sort of energy. In college, they joined up with friends to play a modern kind of Celtic music. They began by busking in the streets, but it wasn’t long before they were selling to sold out crowds. To date, they’ve played more than 1,300 shows all over the world. Don’t miss them at the MerleFest Dance tent. You can find out more about them at scythianmusic.com. Shinyribs Shiny Ribs was intended to be nothing more than a side project for Kevin Russell. At the time his band The Gourds kept him busy. The Gourds went on hiatus in 2013. Kevin, and fellow band member Keith Langford, decided to make Shiny Ribs their primary focus. The music of Shiny Ribs is a blend of many genres. The band utilizes them all on-stage as they play lively original songs and covers. Each show is almost a party in and of itself. Kevin, for example is often seen dancing about as they play each set.
Page 96
96 The high-spiritedness in no way takes from the groups musical talent. The band plays various strings, horns, and percussion instruments, displaying extensive talent and experience. Four albums, Kringle Tingle being the most recent, have been produced, recorded and released by the Shiny Ribs. Keep a watch on the website, www.shinyribs. org, for more to come. Shovels & Rope The husband and wife team that forms Shovel sand Rope came together after having separate and distinct careers. While in college, Cary Ann Hearst performed alone in local bars and venues. After she graduated, she performed with various groups like Caravan and Borrowed Angels. She and Michael Trent met while he was performing with his band, The Films, in 2002. Each recorded their own singles and albums until 2008. It was then that The Ballad of Shovels and Rope documentary was released. While the show aired, the two married in 2009. This, and a successful run of the film gave the pair all they needed to commit to a single, combined act. Under the Shovels & Rope name, the duo record and released seven albums, six singles and one video. Swimmin’ Time made it to No.21 on the US Billboard 200 in 2014. The song “Birmingham” won the Americana Music Association’s 2013 Song of the Year. In that same year they won that same association’s Emerging Artists of the Year. Shovel & Rope’s music and merchandise can be found on their website www. shovelandrope.com. Sierra Ferrell A West Virginia native, Sierra Ferrell is a multi- instrumentalist and talented songwriter. She left home in her early 20’s to travel the country while playing music. Joining a group of other musical ‘nomads’, she played music wherever her head lay. Sierra would eventually settle into Nashville and a recording deal with Rounder Records. In partnership with the company, she continues to tour and record. Her most recent album, Long Time Coming , showcases her music prowess in the country music genre. Savingcountrymusic.com says, “Sierra Ferrell immediately reveals herself as one of those one-in-a-million country music voices that instantly compels you regardless of what is being sung.” Most of her work can be found on her site,
Page 97
97 www.sierraferrellmusic.com. She also on several social media sites including Facebook and Twitter. Smitty and the JumpStarters S m i t t y a n d t h e JumpStarters are a Blues ba nd made up of Bryan “Smitty” Smith, Steve Blake, Doug Dennis, and Roy Brown. Each band member has decades of music experience. Three of their songs have appeared on the Beach Top 40 Music Chart. Smitty and the JumpStarter’s music is music, that in their words, “... makes you move.” It could be shuffling your feet at a concert or full on Swing dancing, this music makes you move. In 2020, they put out a new album called Let’s Get Jumpstarted . Two of the songs have already reached # 1 on the . Roadhouse Blues & Boogie Chart. Smitty and the JumpStarter’s tour schedule in North Carolina, and more information about their new album can be found on their website, www.jumpstartersband.com. They are making a return visit to MerleFest and they will perform this year on Sunday. Southbound 77 Southbound 77 is a bluegrass band consisting of five youth members from North Carolina at the crossroads of Statesville, Mooresville and Mocksville. Tae Childress, 10, plays guitar and Ida Rose Buzzini, 10, plays mandolin. Lake Carver, 11 plays fiddle and Lyla Cherry, 11, plays guitar. Ettore Buzzini, 13, rounds out the group playing banjo. Southbound 77 has a youthful energy they bring to their music and performances. The future of bluegrass is here! MerleFest celebrates young people who play traditional music. The band’s event schedule can be found on their Facebook page or Instagram. The band will perform at MerleFest on Friday. String Madness
Page 98
98 String Madness puts together the sounds of Bob Applebaum on the mandolin, with Mitch Greenhill and Peter Spelman on the guitar. They have played everything from the classical composers to Bebop and more. Their music has been called “delightful and inspiring” and gives a fresh sound that helps rejuvenate its listeners. The band has played many venues before, including previously at MerleFest.The bandmates each have years of experience playing and performing. They each have lives full of music and entertainment, and want to keep passing along their sound to more audiences for MerleFest. They even have produced a song they call the “MerleFest Ramble” that can be listened to online at ReverbNation or by using the QR code above.They will perform at MerleFest on Saturday. Sturgill Simpson Sturgill Simpson is most well-known for his success as an American country music singer and songwriter. Throughout his career, he has also dabbled in acting. As a solo artist, he has released six different albums. His debut album is called High Top Mountain . He released it in 2013 after it was cut in Nashville through the use of his own funds and release methods. His style has most commonly been compared to that of Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard due to the rich, vintage sound it exuded. The second album he released, Metamodern Sounds in Country Music , was produced by Dave Cobb and released in 2014. The New York Times ranked this album as one of the top 10 best albums released that year and it was listed as #18 on the Rolling Stone’s “50 Best Albums of 2014” list. In addition, Simpson received a GRAMMY nomination in the category, “Best Americana Album”. Simpson’s first major-label release was in April of 2016, called “A Sailor’s Guide to Earth” . This album contained music by The Dap- Kings and a cover of “In Bloom” by Nirvana. His unique spin on these famous songs took him to the next level, commemorating his debut as a major-label artist. He won Best Country Album during the 59th GRAMMY Awards and his album was also nominated for Album of the Year. After this success, he decided to go on tour in May of 2017. He began this tour by holding a concert at the Wharf Amphitheater in Orange Beach, Alabama with a guest appearance from Margo Price. This wild ride didn’t stop there. He was also the opening act at three different shows for the Guns N’ Roses Not in this Lifetime Tour which also took place during the summer of 2017. His fourth album was released on September 27, 2019, and it was titled Sound & Fury. Later the next year, he released two more albums titled Cuttin’ Grass, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. Interestingly, these include songs across his catalogue that he applied a bluegrass interpretation to. Look for Simpson’s sixth album titled The Ballad of Dood and Juanita, coming in November. Also be sure to check out his work on Jim Jarmusch’s zombie film The Dead Don’t Die . The film stars Bill Murray. Simpson wrote the title track, which is played often and discussed in tongue-in-cheek fashion for comedic effect. The film brought Simpson to a different audience, and it’s well-received.
Page 99
Acclaimed naturalist artists Bob Timberlake and Clayton Pennell join together for a wildlife show at the Bob Timberlake Gallery in Lexington. The show will also feature North Carolina artifacts, like long rifles and decoys, as well as turkey calls, Native American artifacts, Annie Oakley’s shotgun and more. The show opens October 14th and runs through December.
Page 100
100 Realty ONE Group Results is #1 in Wilkes County! With 8 offices in Winston, Greensboro, Burlington, Reidsville, Wilkesboro, West Jefferson, Boone and Banner Elk, we serve much of North Carolina. Only three years after our opening, RealTrends lists us in the Top 1% of brokerages NATIONWIDE! www.ROGResults.com
Page 101
101 Sweet Potato Pie Sweet Potato Pie is a band of six women, from North Carolina who have been entertaining audiences for years. Their music genre is self- proclaimed “sweetgrass” that combines elements of Country, Americana, Bluegrass and Gospel. They play both classic songs and their own original work. They have produced seven CDs and topped many charts in the process. They are supported in part by the NC Sweet Potato Growers which allow them to have an agricultural and educational element to their music to help educate those they entertain. Their music has been used in NC schools to teach about crops and also used in music curriculum. Sweet Potato Pie includes Sonya Stead on guitar, Crystal Richardson playing banjo, Sandy Whitley on bass, Katie Springer playing fiddle, Tori Jones also on fiddle, and Madeleine Baucom playing guitar. From their website they describe their show as it, “revolves around their beautiful 3-part harmonies, hard driving instrumentals and down-home humor and story telling.” They will perform at MerleFest on Saturday. T. Michael Coleman Thomas “T.” Michael Coleman, is a solo performer of bluegrass and folk music. He is probably most well known for work with Doc Watson and the Seldom Scene. He has been in the music business for decades, and in 2016 released his first album called Pocket . Musical work Coleman has been involved with were nominated five times for GRAMMY Awards: in 1982, 1998, 1982, and 1994. In addition to delighting fans with his musical work, he is also a videographer and filmmaker. He has worked on the films Children of Armageddon, Broke: The New American Dream, and Inside the Afghanistan War . His work can be found online on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. He will perform at MerleFest on Friday and Saturday. Tedeschi Trucks Band
Page 102
102 On December 31st 2008, singer/guitarist Susan Tedeschi and guitarist Derek Trucks had been married for about nine years. As they were about to celebrate the beginning of the New Year, they decided it might time to step away from their solo careers and start a band focused on a mixture of their sound. They were both very fond of blues, jazz, and gospel music, so why not start a new career that would combine their visions into an amazing, unified sound? There had been countless other times when they collaborated on stage together and shared album guest appearances, but there was something different about this night. They began playing with a new horn section appearing as a guest for the Derek Trucks Band and the future of their new sound emerged on the stage that very night. The Tedeschi Trucks Band debuted two years later when the economy was spiraling into a recession. During that time, the music industry was saturated with auto-tuned singers who were seemingly more focused on the technological theatrics of their music rather than the genuine sound they provided. The Tedeschi Trucks Band was touring around the country with a unique sound that challenged the new standards being set by the industry. They focused on producing non-traditional music and no one was going to stop them on their rock and roll journey. They were on a mission to find their new sound. Thankfully, they were not alone on their creative adventure given they had an amazing group of extremely talented musicians and artists as permanent members of their band. Veteran drummers Tyler Greenwell and J.J. Johnson were with the band from the beginning. In addition, Mike Mattison was a dynamic vocalist and Kofi Burbridge was gifted on the keys and flute. The indispensable three-piece horn section that was soon added to the band was comprised of Ephraim Owens on the trumpet, Kebbi Williams on the saxophone, and Elizabeth Lea on the trombone. Tim Lefebvre added his unique experience and skill on the bass in 2013. Finally, Alecia Chakour joined the background singers that originally only consisted of Mike Mattison and Mark Rivers. The Tedeschi Trucks Band has continued to share their sound and vision with the world ever since. They now include seven strong members and have produced five extraordinary albums. They have been touring continuously both in the United States and internationally for more than ten years. Given their strong focus on a unique sound from the creation of their band, their fan base and critics alike praise them for their unbeatable live presence. They are no strangers to packed seats and sold-out nights at venues such as the Ryman Auditorium, the Beacon Theatre, and Red Rocks Amphitheater. The fans go to their concerts not only for the music, but for the entire experience this band provides. Their most recent album release Live From The Fox Oakland (2017) was GRAMMY-nominated and they will probably have many more nominations and wins in the future. Terrapin Creek Terrapin Creek is a band of five members, with family roots in music from generations of musicians. They play a blend of bluegrass and folk music. They perform on keyboards, guitar, banjos and violins.
Page 103
103 They have played a variety of venues such as schools, camps, cand churches. These rising stars will be sure to entertain with their energetic vocals and strings. They will perform at MerleFest on Friday and Saturday. They do not have a website, but can be found online on Facebook and Instagram (@ terrapin.creek.music). The InterACTive Theater of Jef The InterACTive Theater of Jef is a different type of performance. If you are ready to laugh and watch Jef clown around, then The InterACTive Theater of Jef is the performance to see. Jef juggles, clowns, mimes, and even engages in sing-alongs. He has been a performing member of TOUCH , North Carolina’s premier mime theater, for seventeen years. He has performed for the kids and families of MerleFest before and is coming back for another three days of fun and shenanigans. He can be found on Facebook and Youtube , and at jefthemime.com. He is not a strictly musical performance act, but a great way to entertain children and change of pace from the other performers. He will perform at MerleFest on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Tommy Emmanuel, CGP Tommy Emmanuel, CGP is an Australian born solo guitarist who has been creating music for decades. “CGP” stands for “Certified Guitar Player,” a title given to only a few others in the world by the legendary Chet Atkins, truly showing his skills and abilities with the guitar. His shows are sights to see with incredible guitar playing and vocals. His work has many influences including jazz, blues, bluegrass, folk and rock. He is a must see performer for any aspiring guitarist, fingerstyle technique fans, or admirers of musical talent. In addition to performing, he also teaches guitar and has a series of instructional videos to pass along his playing style and ability to future musicians. Guitar Player Magazine has named him Best Acoustic Guitarist in its 2008 and 2010 reader polls. In 2010, he was inducted into the Australian Roll of Renown. He has several tour stops scheduled this fall, mostly in the Midwest and California. His full album history and tour schedule can be found online on his website. He performs on Friday and Saturday.
Page 104
104 Tony Williamson T o n y W i l l i a m s o n has played stringed instruments, and most famously the mandolin for six decades. After college he started his music career by touring with the band Bluegrass Alliance. He played for a variety of bands over his career and now is a solo act. He plays everything from bluegrass to pop to classical and everything in between. He has been performing at MerleFest for years. Beyond North Carolina, where he was born, he has performed worldwide from Korea to Paris. In addition to playing the mandolin, he also teaches sells and collects the instrument. He is the 2018 North Carolina Heritage Award recipient. Videos of his playing, information about mandolins, and a list of his mandolins for sale can be found on his website. He will perform at MerleFest on Saturday. The Waybacks The Waybacks are a four -person band consisting of James Nash on guitar, Warren Hood playing fiddle, Joe Kyle Jr. on bass and Chuck Hamilton on drums. Their musical sound as they describe it comes, “...from the old school and the old world, but The Waybacks are no throwback. They’ve been erroneously pigeonholed as a bluegrass band and celebrated as purveyors of ‘acoustic mayhem.’” After touring with Grateful Dead founder Bob Weir, the band has a new life with some influences from the Grateful Dead sound. However the sound is totally their own. Their music has influences of Memphis soul, honky-tonk, Parisian swing, vintage blue pop and even classical music elements. They are a collaboration of interesting different sounds and flavors of music. As they perform in more venues, their sound only evolves into an ever-changing, but always engaging performance. Their full discography and band information can be found on their website, www.waybacks.com. They will perform at MerleFest on Friday and Saturday. Wayne Henderson Wayne Henderson is a guitar soloist, luthier, and teacher. He has toured nationally in the United States, including Carnegie Hall. He has showcased his performing skills internationally in a tour of Asia. In addition to his guitar music he is also a renowned
Page 105
105 luthier. He produces around 20 instruments a year, mostly guitars and also mandolins. Legendary artists such as Doc Watson have owned a mandolin of his creation. He received the 1995 National Heritage Award from the National Endowment for the Arts for his work as a Luthier. He also has given back to the music community through the Wayne C. Henderson Music Festival and Guitar Competition that has raised over a quarter million dollars for scholarships. More information about him, his Music Festival and Guitar Competition and his work as a luthier can be found on his website.He will perform at MerleFest on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We Banjo 3 We Banjo 3, the “Kings of Celtgrass”, are a Galway, Ireland, and Nashville-based quartet. The members are two sets of brothers, Enda and Fergal Scahill and Martin and David Howley. We Banjo 3 combines elements of Americana, Bluegrass, and Celtic music together with their pop-inspired songs to create their unique sound. They use a variety of instruments including the banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and percussion in their music. They have released six albumss, including Roots To Rise Live in July 2019. The album spent four weeks at number one on the Billboard’s Bluegrass Albums Chart. The Wall Street Journal says, “We Banjo 3 has something impossibly beautiful at its heart, what they do they do better than anyone else” The bandmates are strong advocates for giving back to their communities and supporting mental health awareness, the band contributes a portion of their merchandise and albums sold to Mental Health America. More information about the band, their 2021 tour dates and songs can be found at their website, www.webanjo3.com, and social media pages. They will perform at MerleFest on Saturday and Sunday. Wyld Fern Wyld Fern is a four- person group of young people from western North Carolina. Band members include Lake Carver, playing the fiddle, Brant Wimmer on the guitar, Owen Combs on mandolin and bass, and Ettore Buzzini playing banjo. The group’s music has been influenced by genres such as Old Time, Bluegrass, and American Folk. Other influences include Doc Watson, Bill Monroe, and The Avett Brothers. They have played in various festivals, camps, churches, and other venues. They are a younger and up-and-coming band, but still eager to
Page 106
106 perform and hone their craft. They do not have a website, but can be found on social media on their Facebook and YouTube pages. They will perform at MerleFest on Saturday and Sunday. Yasmin Williams Yasmin Williams is a solo guitarist. She plays an acoustic fingerstyle of guitar with unique and modern style. She uses various techniques such as alternate tunings, percussive hits, and lap tapping in her music to create her style. Growing up in northern Virginia, she was self taught on the guitar. She learned to play the bass guitar, 12 string guitar, and classical guitar and then decided upon the acoustic guitar because of its versatility. She released her first full album, Unwind, in May of 2018. Her next, and most recent album, Urban Driftwood, was released on January 29, 2021. She started her musical journey after playing Guitar Hero 2 and wanting to learn a real guitar. More information about this up and coming artist can be found on her website and social media pages. She will perform at MerleFest on Saturday. Zoe & Cloyd Zoe and Cloyd is a group consisting of fiddler and vocalist Natalya Zoe Weinstein and songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist John Cloyd Miller. Zoe and Cloyd perform music catered to all ages. Their harmonies and beautiful songwriting flawlessly combine original bluegrass, klezmer, old-time and folk. They come from a line of klezmer and jazz musicians which leads to their diverse shows. John is the grandson of famous North Carolina bluegrass fiddler, Jim Shumate. Event producer Steve Johnson says, “Zoe & Cloyd are soulful and captivating, offering everything from rousing self-penned songs and tunes to mournful and sorrowful traditional ballads. They connect immediately with the audience and never fail to please, be it on an intimate stage or entertaining a festival crowd of thousands. A welcome addition and a pleasure to work with for any event.” Both of them are instructors at the Traditional Music Program at Warren Wilson College. They have created four studio albums, the fourth of which will be released in the fall of 2021. They will perform at MerleFest on Saturday.
Page 107
107 A u t o g r a p h s
Page 108
Foothills Digest offical sponsor of MerleFest 2021
Page 109
In Memory of John Prine World renowned musician John Prine was scheduled to appear at the 2020 MerleFest, but then the pandemic hit, causing the cancellation of MerleFest. Covid-19 wasn’t kind, and one of it’s cruelest cuts was taking John Prine from the world. Use the QR codes below to listen to his music and an NPR Tiny Desk Concert in tribute to him. Because of his importance to the world of traditional music, a 2010 tribute album was produced. In October of this year, a Volume 2 will also be released. Thank you John. Rest in Peace. “Broken hearts and dirty windows make life difficult to see.” John Prine
Page 110
110 The first MerleFest was a smashing success, but it was just a taste of what was to come. 33 years strong, this festival has helped shape the musical landscape and foothills communities.
Page 111
Amythyst Kiah, 64 Andrew Scotchie & The RiverRats, 64 Balsam Range, 65 Banknotes, 65 Bill and the Belles, 66 Blistered Hearts, 66 Brittney Spencer, 66 Cane Mill Road, 67 Carol Rifkin, 67 Charles Welch, 68 Charley Crockett, 68 Chatham Rabbits, 68 Cordovas, 69 Creole Stomp with Dennis Stroughmatt, 69 Darin & Brooke Aldridge, 70 Donna the Buffalo, 70 Eli Yacinthe, 72 Gate 10, 72 Handlebar Betty, 72 Hannah Juanita, 73 Happy Traum, 73 Hogslop String Band, 73 Into the Fog,75 Iron Horse Bluegrass, 75 Jack Lawrence,76 Jeff Little Trio, 76 Jim Lauderdale, 77 Jody Carroll, 77 Joe Smothers, 78 Joe Troop, 78 JOHNNYSWIM,79 Kelsey Waldon, 80 Ken Crouse, 80 Krüger Brothers, 80 Laura Boosinger, 81 LeAnn Rimes, 81 Los Texmaniacs, 82 Margo Price, 83 Mark Bumgarner, 84 Mary Flower, 84 Mavis Staples, 84 Melissa Etheridge, 85 Mitch Greenhill, 86 Moore Brothers, 87 Nefesh Mountain, 87 Oliver Hazard, 88 Paul Thorn, 88 Pete and Joan Wernick, 89 Peter Rowan, 89 Piedmont Bluz, 90 Presley Barker, 90 Rev. Robert Jones, 91 Robbie Fulks, 92 Roy Book Binder, 92 Sam Bush Band, 94 Sam Williams, 94 Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, 94 Scythian, 95 Shinyribs, 95 Shovels & Rope, 96 Sierra Ferrell, 96 Smitty and the Jump- Starters, 97 Southbound 77, 97 String Madness, 97 Sturgill Simpson, 98 Sweet Potato Pie,101 T. Michael Coleman, 101 Tedeschi Trucks, 101 Terrapin Creek, 102 The Barefoot Movement, 66 The Cleverlys, 69 The InterACTive Theater of Jef, 103 The Local Boys, 82 The Maggie Valley Band, 83 The Milk Carton Kids, 86 The Nomads and Friends, 88 The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, 91 The Waybacks, 104 Tommy Emmanuel, CGP, 103 Tony Williamson, 104 Wayne Henderson, 104 We Banjo 3, 105 Wyld Fern, 105 Yasmin Williams, 106 Zoe & Cloyd, 106 ARTISTS Table of Contents SCHEDULE The schedule of a festival this size is ever-evolving, so use this QR code to find a current schedule.
Page 112
That’s where our 2021 Patient Safety score ranks among 4,542 hospitals in America. We are here for you, and we are committed to your safety. Top 2% in the Nation. During this pandemic, our team has continued to earn a place among the highest performing hospitals. Patient Safety — and the safety of all who work here and enter our facilities — will continue to be our number one priority. We are COVID-safe and we are grateful that you place your care in our hands. Covid-19 Highest Safety Rating