MerleFest announces 2010 lineup
MerleFest 2010, presented by Lowe's and slated for April 29
through May 2, 2010, announced the line up for the event's 23rd year on a special WNCW broadcast
Thursday.
The following artists will join host Doc Watson on the campus of Wilkes Community
College for a celebration of "traditional-plus" music-a term Doc coined to describe the unique mix
of traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including bluegrass and old-time
music, and expanded to include Americana, country, "plus whatever other styles we were in the mood
to play."
This year's lineup includes: Doc Watson, Richard Watson, Susana and Timmy Abell,
Alberti Flea Circus, The Avett Brothers, Jim Avett, Balsam Range, Shana Banana, The Banknotes,
Bearfoot, The Belleville Outfit, Roy Book Binder, Brave Combo, Buffalo Barfield, Sam Bush Band,
Cadillac Sky, T. Michael Coleman, Elvis Costello, John Cowan Band, Dailey & Vincent, Dehlia Low,
Donna the Buffalo, Jerry Douglas, The Duhks, Eleanor Ellis, Alice Gerrard, The Gibson Brothers,
Great Big Sea, The Greencards, Buddy Greene, Mitch Greenhill, George Hamilton IV, John Hammond,
Corey Harris, Wayne Henderson, David Holt, The InterACTive Theater of Jef, Phil Jamison, Jeni &
Billy, The Kruger Brothers, Jim Lauderdale, Jack Lawrence, The Lee Boys, Little Feat, Jeff Little,
The Local Boys, The Lovell Sisters, Harry Manx, Bill Mathis, Andy May, Nashville Bluegrass Band,
Nation Beat, The Neighbors, Ben Prestage, Missy Raines and The New Hip, Red Molly, Tony Rice, Peter
Rowan, Scythian, Anne and Pete Sibley, Joe Smothers, Steep Canyon Rangers, Tut Taylor, Happy
Traum, The Travelin' McCourys, Rhonda Vincent and The Rage, The Waybacks, Lightnin' Wells, Pete
and Joan Wernick, Shannon Whitworth, The Wilders, Wilkes Acoustic Folk Society, Tony Williamson,
W.P.A., Wylie and The Wild West, and Zephry Lightning Bolts.
"Yet again, the MerleFest line
up fulfills the festival's mission of bringing in an incredibly exciting, diverse, and talented
group of musicians," festival director Ted Hagaman said. "Fans can count on more surprises,
spontaneous jam sessions and one-of-a-kind musical collaborations, and we will continue to add to
this line up. We encourage MerleFest fans to keep checking our Web site for updates."
In
addition to providing the full line up, the festival's Web site, http://www.merlefest.org, is a complete
source of information on all aspects of the event. Festival fans are encouraged to visit the site
and sign up for the MerleFest e-newsletter or register as a volunteer. Fans can also follow the
latest MerleFest developments on Facebook and Twitter.
The MerleFest box office will open
for 2010 ticket sales on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m. EST. Ticket purchases can be made on the Web
at http://www.merlefest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857.
An early bird ticket discount is
available through March 12, 2010.
MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of Eddy Merle
Watson as a fundraiser for Wilkes Community College and a celebration of "traditional plus" music.
Scheduled for April 29 through May 2, 2010, the event is held on the campus of Wilkes Community
college in Wilkesboro. For more information, visit http://www.merlefest.org.
