Photo Credit: Devin Ulery
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.
2013 Artist Lineup
- Alberti Flea Circus
- Andy May
- Banknotes
- Bayou Diesel
- Bill Mathis
- Blind Boy Paxton
- Bob Hill
- Bobby and Blue Ridge Tradition
- Bryan Sutton
- Calico Moon
- Carol Rifkin
- Charles Welch
- Chatham County Line
- Chris Smither
- David Holt
- Dehlia Low
- Della Mae
- Delta Rae
- Â Donna the Buffalo
- Doug MacLeod
- Eilen Jewell
- Enter The Haggis
- French Broad Playboys
- Glenn Bannerman
- Gregg ‘Buffalo’ Barfield
- Happy Traum
- Jack Lawrence
- Jeff Little Trio
- Jerry Douglas
- Jim Lauderdale
- Joe Smothers
- Johnson’s Crossroad
- Kirk Sutphin
- Laura Boosinger
- Matraca Berg
- Michael Martin Murphey
- Misty River Band
- Mitch Greenhill
- Mountain Heart
- Nashville Bluegrass Band
- Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
- Orville Hicks
- Patrick Sweany
- Paul’s Creek Band
- Pete and Joan Wernick
- Peter Rowan Band
- Phil Wiggins & Corey Harris
- Pokey LaFarge
- Red Molly
- Rhonda Vincent & The Rage
- Richard Watson
- Riley Baugus
- Roy Book Binder
- Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
- Sam Bush
- Scythian
- Snyder Family Band
- South Carolina Broadcasters
- Steve and Ruth Smith
- Susana and Timmy Abell
- Sutton, Holt and Coleman
- T. Michael Coleman
- Ted White
- The Black Lillies
- The Charlie Daniels Band
- The Greencards
- The Honeycutters
- The InterACTive Theater of Jef
- The Kickin Grass Band
- The Kruger Brothers
- The Local Boys
- The Neighbors
- The New Familiars
- The Quebe Sisters Band
- The Sheets Family Band
- The Sigmon Stringers
- The Waybacks
- The Wild Rumpus
- Tift Merritt
- Tom Feldmann
- ToneBlazers
- Tony Williamson
- Tut Taylor
- Wayne Henderson