The Scene
Thirty years ago, the legendary Doc Watson founded MerleFest to honor the memory of his son who died in a tragic accident. Now 80,000 fans gather every spring on the campus of Wilkes Community College for America's largest roots festival. Legends mix with newcomers to perform surprising collaborations of bluegrass, folk, and Americana.
2012 Artist Lineup
- Doc Watson
- Richard Watson
- Timmy and Susana Abell
- Alberti Flea Circus
- Assembly of Dust
- Banknotes
- Benedict College Gospel Choir
- Blind Boy Chocolate & The Milk Sheiks
- Roy Book Binder
- Laura Boosinger
- The Boxcars
- Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys
- Brooke and George Buckner
- Buffalo Barfield
- Sam Bush
- T Michael Coleman
- Dailey & Vincent
- The Deep Dark Woods
- Dehlia Low
- Donna the Buffalo
- Casey Driessen
- Sarah and Christian Dugas
- Enter The Haggis
- Bela Fleck & The Flecktones
- Mary Flower
- The Gibson Brothers
- Vince Gill
- The Greencards
- Mitch Greenhill
- Stefan Grossman
- John Hammond
- Wayne Henderson
- Bob Hill
- David Holt
- The Honeycutters
- Sierra Hull & Highway 111
- The InterACTive Theater of Jef
- Fruteland Jackson
- Johnson, Phil and Gaye
- Johnson’s Crossroad
- Jubal’s Kin
- Kickin Grass Band
- Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas
- The Kruger Brothers
- Jim Lauderdale
- Jack Lawrence
- Jeff Little
- The Local Boys
- Los Lobos
- Lost Bayou Ramblers
- Claire Lynch Band
- Dougie MacLean
- Bill Mathis
- Andy May
- Cliff Miller
- Misty River Band
- Nashville Bluegrass Band
- The Neighbors
- Paul’s Creek Band
- Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile
- Joe Sam Queen
- Red June
- Tony Rice Unit
- Carol Rifkin
- Michael Roach
- Peter Rowan & The Free Mexican Airforce
- Jonathan Scales Fourchestra
- Scythian
- The Sigmon Stringers
- Sims Country Cloggers
- Steve and Ruth Smith
- Joe Smothers
- Snyder Family Band
- The Steel Wheels
- Steep Canyon Rangers
- The Stoney Creek Boys
- Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives
- Tut Taylor
- Tedeschi Trucks Band
- ToneBlazers
- Happy Traum
- Viper’s Dream
- The Waybacks
- Charles Welch
- Pete and Joan Wernick
- Ted White
- The Wild Rumpus
- Tony Williamson
- Wylie & the Wild West
- The Zephyr Lightning Bolts
- Patrick Simmons
- Darrell Scott
- John Cowan