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.
2021 Artist Lineup
Donna the Buffalo
- Adam Traum
- Amythyst Kiah
- Andrew Scotchie & The River Rats
- Balsam Range
- Banknotes
- Barefoot Movement
- Bill And The Belles
- Blistered Hearts
- Brittney Spencer
- Cane Mill Road
- Carol Rifkin
- Charles Welch
- Charley Crockett
- Chatham Rabbits
- Cordovas
- Darin and Brooke Aldridge
- Dennis Stroughmatt and Creole Stomp
- Donna the Buffalo
- Eli Yacinthe
- Gate 10
- Handlebar Betty
- Hannah Juanita
- Happy Traum
- Hogslop String Band
- Into the Fog
- Iron Horse Bluegrass
- Jack Lawrence
- Jeff Little Trio
- Jim Lauderdale
- Jody Carroll
- Joe Smothers
- Joe Troop
- John Cowan
- Johnnyswim
- Kelsey Waldon
- Ken Crouse
- Ken Crouse
- Laura Boosinger
- LeAnn Rimes
- Los Texmaniacs
- Margo Price
- Mark Bumgarner
- Mary Flower
- Mavis Staples
- Melissa Etheridge
- Mitch Greenhill
- Nefesh Mountain
- Oliver Hazard
- One Fret Over
- Paul Thorn
- Pete & Joan Wernick
- Peter Rowan
- Piedmont Bluz
- Presley Barker
- Rev Robert Jones
- Robbie Fulks
- Roy Book Binder
- Sam Bush Band
- Sam Williams
- Sarah Shook and the Disarmers
- Scythian
- Shinyribs
- Shovels & Rope
- Sierra Ferrell
- Smitty and the JumpStarters
- String Madness
- Sturgill Simpson
- Sweet Potato Pie
- Tedeschi Trucks
- Terrapin Creek
- The Cleverlys
- The Kruger Brothers
- The Local Boys
- The Maggie Valley Band
- The Milk Carton Kids
- The Moore Brothers
- The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys
- The Waybacks
- Tommy Emmanuel
- Tony Williamson
- Wayne Henderson
- We Banjo 3
- Wyld Fern
- Yasmin Williams
- Zoe & Cloyd