MerleFest Adds More String Power to Already Stacked 2016 Lineup

The 2016 MerleFest lineup just keeps getting beefier. On Tuesday (12-8), the fest announced it was adding Old Crow Medicine Show, Alison Brown, Peter Rowan, and Doug Seegers to the 97 other names already announced for the 2016 installement, scheduled to transpire April 28th through May 1st at Wilkes Community College in North Carolina.

“We take pride in always presenting a lineup that is dynamic and diverse,” says MerleFest director Ted Hagaman. “It’s the quality of the artists and performances that our guests see over the four days of the festival that, in turn, creates another important element of MerleFest’s success: people truly feel that the festival is a great value. So many music fans and families return year after year, making MerleFest a regular spring tradition. We will always work to make that tradition continue.”

Though some mistakenly think MerleFest is named for Merle Haggard, it’s actually named in memory of guitarist Eddy Merle Watson, who was the son of Doc Watson. Founded in 1988, the fests continues to grow, and now boasts 13 stages hosting music over the four day event. Though traditional country and roots is what MerleFest was founded on, it has expended over the years to also incorporate Americana, blues, and roots rock.

“We keep Doc Watson’s ‘traditional plus’ spirit alive each year at MerleFest by inviting artists who will showcase a wide variety of music from multiple genres,” says MerleFest artist relations manager Steve Johnson. “As in years past, the lineup will continue to develop in the coming months. MerleFest fans have grown accustomed to the special ‘moments’ that organizers plan each year. And the possibility for ‘spontaneous special moments’ is highly likely given the combination of artists that are known to pull together onstage jams at MerleFest.” 

Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 1-800-343-7857. Early bird prices are available before February 15th. More performers will continue to be added to the lineup.

2016 MerleFest Lineup

” John Prine, ” Dave Rawlings Machine, ” The Wood Brothers, ” Steep Canyon Rangers, ” Jerry Douglas, ” Scythian, ” The Kruger Brothers, ” Donna the Buffalo, ” Becky Buller, ” The Annie Moses Band, ” Ash Breeze, ” Jim Avett, Banknotes, ” The Barefoot Movement, ” Roy Book Binder, ” Blue Mafia, ” Laura Boosinger and The Midnight Plowboys, ” The Brothers Comatose, ” The Brothers Landreth,

” Mark Bumgarner, ” Jonathan Byrd & The Pickup Cowboys, ” Carbon Leaf, ” The Clydes, ” The Commons, ” Commonwealth Bluegrass Band, ” The Contenders (Josh Day & Jay Nash), ” Kristy Cox, ” Sherman Lee Dillon, ” EmiSunshine, ” Tom Feldmann, ” Fireside Collective, ” Foghorn Stringband, ” Liz Frame and The Kickers, ” Susie Glaze & the Hilonesome Band, ” Grace & Tony, ” Britt Gully, ” Wayne Henderson and Friends, ” High Plains Jamboree, ” Bob Hill, ” Sierra Hull, ” In With The Old,

” The InterACTive Theatre of Jef, ” Fruteland Jackson, ” Jeni & Billy, ” Kacy & Clayton, ” Jack Lawrence, ” Wanamaker Lewis and Rootology, ” Jeff Little Trio, ” The Local Boys, ” Bonnie Logan, ” Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys, ” Love Canon,” Bill Mathis, ” Andy May, ” David and Valerie Mayfield, ” Will Overman Band, ” Penny and Sparrow, ” Sarah Potenza, ” Lou Reid & Carolina, ” ” Carol Rifkin with John Fowler and Jeanette Queen, ” Sparky & Rhonda Rucker, ” Salvador, ” Jeff Scroggins & Colorado,

” Karl Shifflett & Big Country Show, ” Shinyribs, ” Sigmon Stringers, ” Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice, ” The Slocan Ramblers, ” Kenny and Amanda Smith, ” Steve and Ruth Smith, ” Joe Smothers, ” South Carolina Broadcasters, ” Stemwinder, ” String Madness with Mitch Greenhill, ” Billy Strings, ” Bryan Sutton, ” Sutton, ” Holt and Coleman, ” Mark “T”, Tellico, ” The Buck Stops Here, ” Happy Traum, ” April Verch, ” Liz Vice, ” Seth Walker, ” The Waybacks, ” We Banjo 3, ” Charles Welch, ” Pete & Joan Wernick, ” Westwend, ” The Whiskey Gentry, ” Uncle Ted White, ” Shannon Whitworth, ” The Williams Brothers, ” Wood & Wire, ” Zoe & Cloyd