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.
2022 Artist Lineup
Donna the Buffalo
Greensky Bluegrass
Old Crow Medicine Show
Trampled By Turtles
- 49 Winchester
- Alison Brown
- Allison Russell
- Andy May
- Arlo McKinley
- Armchair Boogie
- Banknotes
- Barbaro
- Big Daddy Love
- Carol Rifkin
- Charles Welch
- Colin Hay
- Damn Tall Buildings
- Darrell Scott
- David Childers and the Serpents
- Desure
- Donna The Buffalo
- Dr. Bacon
- Durand Jones & The Indications
- Eli Yacinthe
- Eliza Meyer Band
- Ella & Mary
- Emmylou Harris
- Fireside Collective
- Frank Fotusky
- Grant Dermody
- Greensky Bluegrass
- Happy Traum
- Hogslop String Band
- Hubby Jenkins
- Jack Lawrence
- Jake Blount
- Jeff Little Trio
- Jerry Douglas
- Jim Lauderdale
- Joe Smothers
- Josh Turner
- Kaia Kater
- Laura Boosinger
- Mark Bumgarner
- Mitch Greenhill
- Nat Myers
- Natalie Hemby
- Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
- Old Crow Medicine Show
- Old Salt Union
- Pete & Joan Wernick
- Peter Rowan
- Presley Barker
- rissi palmer
- Roy Book Binder
- Sam Bush Band
- Scythian
- ShadowGrass
- Shannon McNally
- Shay Martin Lovette
- Sister Sadie
- Steep Canyon Rangers
- T. Michael Coleman
- Tenille Townes
- The Arcadian Wild
- The Contenders
- The Earls of Leicester
- The Kruger Brothers
- The Lee Boys
- The Local Boys
- The Nude Party
- The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band
- The Steel Wheels
- The Waybacks
- The Wood Brothers
- Time Sawyer
- Tony Williamson
- Trampled By Turtles
- Wayne Henderson
- We Banjo 3
- Willie Watson