{"id":12253,"date":"2019-06-30T08:10:58","date_gmt":"2019-06-30T13:10:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/garyhayescountry.com\/?p=12253"},"modified":"2023-09-03T20:19:11","modified_gmt":"2023-09-03T20:19:11","slug":"merlefest-2019-recap-keeping-tradition-alive-and-news-on-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/garyhayescountry.com\/?p=12253","title":{"rendered":"Merlefest 2019 Recap: Keeping Tradition Alive. And News On 2020."},"content":{"rendered":"

Many of you know that FESTIVALS are one of our core specialties here on Gary Hayes Country, and we follow and report on over 200 of them in America. I am not even half done with my 2019 work on festivals, and I have a plethora of 2020 dates rolling into my inbox. Honestly as a fan I’m completely astounded and excited…as a journalist I’m overwhelmed with work.<\/p>\n

Merlefest<\/a> out there in North Carolina has always been a good one vastly supported by me and my crew here for many years. It is one of the largest festivals in America hosting 10 stages over 3 days and attended by over 75,000 people. This festival brings in millions in revenue to the state of North Carolina, and is sponsored by many.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
MerleFest 2019 Keeps North Carolina Music Heritage In The Forefront<\/div>\n
Highlights include Steep Canyon Rangers\u2019 tribute to North Carolina, Avett Brothers\u2019 homecoming, and Del McCoury\u2019s 80th Birthday Celebration<\/div>\n
Chris Austin Songwriting Competition Winners Announced<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n
April 28, 2019 – Wilkesboro, N.C. – MerleFest, presented by Window World, has officially come to a close, but not without a number of electric collaborations, spontaneous sit-ins, and world-class performances. Wynonna & The Big Noise, Amos Lee, Tyler Childers, Sam Bush Band, Brandi Carlile, and The Avett Brothers all brought extra MerleFest energy to the Watson Stage, marking another successful year for the long-running festival. Early estimates show that from its start on Thursday, April 25, to its close on Sunday, April 28, participation over the festival\u2019s four days exceeded 75,000 attendees and artists from across the world. MerleFest, held on the campus of Wilkes Community College, is the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, which funds scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had an incredible weekend,\u201d Festival Director Ted Hagaman said. \u201cWith over 100 artists on 13 stages over the four days, we again feel we succeeded in providing a quality and successful event for all involved. Preliminary numbers show we attracted thousands of fans from all over the world. We appreciate their support. This event could not happen without the work and dedication of our 4,500-plus volunteers and the many great safety and service agencies in Northwestern North Carolina. We\u2019re already looking forward to MerleFest 2020.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Thursday<\/div>\n
Chatham County Line kicked off the 32nd annual MerleFest with a big \u201cnewgrass\u201d bang. At the top of their game, Raleigh-based Chatham County Line appeared right at home on one of the biggest stages their home state has to offer. After Thursday\u2019s sunset, Wynonna Judd and her band, The Big Noise, set about conjuring up enough rock and roll, blues, and country juju to knock the first-day crowd right off their feet. Once the crowd had recovered, the ones left with enough energy to carry on into the wee hours were treated with more electric boogie music in the form of Donna The Buffalo. Sporting dancey rhythms and electric improvisation, Donna proved to be the ultimate weekend ice-breakers, encouraging the late night crowd to let loose during their First Night Dance on the Bojangles\u2019 Dance Stage.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Friday<\/div>\n
Before the sun had set on Friday, patrons were treated to show-stopping sets from the likes of Texas troubadour Radney Foster, Boston-based bluegrassers Mile Twelve, and the soft folk harmonies and humorous musings of The Milk Carton Kids. Upon the close of the Chris Austin Songwriting Competition, festival first-timer Amos Lee took the Watson Stage with his unique blend of soulful Americana.Tyler Childers closed out the Watson Stage with his now famous concoction of mountain music, old school country, and 1960s The Band-ish rock and roll. Under the bright stage lights, Childers rollicked through songs off of his award-winning 2017 album \u201cPurgatory\u201d to the delight of fans, some of whom had traveled to MerleFest on Childers\u2019 merit alone. During Childers\u2019 set, eclectic folk rockers Scythian set up in the Dance Tent for their second set of the day, the annual Friday Night Dance. Keeping the night owls rocking until almost midnight, Scythianreminded fans just how fun their music can be.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Saturday<\/div>\n
Saturday saw Chris Austin Songwriting Competition winners perform on the Cabin Stage to an audience eager to hear these up-and-coming songwriters before they\u2019ve hit the big time. Now in its 27th year, the contest is an extraordinary opportunity for aspiring writers to have their original songs heard and judged by a panel of music industry professionals (Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale, better known as The Milk Carton Kids, Cruz Contreras of The Black Lillies, and Texas-troubadour Radney Foster), under the direction of volunteer contest chairperson, Grammy Award-winning singer\/songwriter Jim Lauderdale.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The first round of the CASC took place in Nashville, Tenn., and was narrowed down from 970 entries to 12 finalists representing four categories: bluegrass, country, general and Gospel\/inspirational.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Each of the 12 finalists received admission and lodging for three nights at MerleFest. Finalists attended a workshop Friday morning given by D\u2019Addario prior to the finals. After the contest, all finalists took part in a songwriting mentoring session with Jim Lauderdale and the on-site judges. The first-place winners in each category received $600 cash from MerleFest, a performance at the Cabin Stage on Friday night, and a 20-minute set on Saturday at the Cabin Stage. In addition, the first-place winners received a live performance\/recording session with Saloon Studios Live, D\u2019Addario strings, Shubb Capos, and their winning song will be aired on WNCW 88.7. Net proceeds from the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest help support the Wilkes Community College Chris Austin Memorial Scholarship. See below for a complete listing of winners and finalists.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Bluegrass:<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
1st Place- Anya Hinkle (Asheville, N.C.) \u2013 \u201cBallad of Zona Abston\u201d<\/div>\n
2nd Place- James E. Woolsey (Petersburg, Ind.), David Foster (Petersburg, Ind.) \u2013 \u201cSugar Ridge Road\u201d<\/div>\n
3rd Place- Wyatt Espalin (Hiawassee, Ga.) \u2013 \u201cLight Coming Through\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Country:<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
1st Place- Andrew Millsaps (Ararat, N.C.) \u2013 \u201cAin\u2019t No Genie (In a Bottle of Jack)<\/div>\n
2nd Place- Hannah Kaminer (Asheville, N.C.) \u2013 \u201cDon\u2019t Open Your Heart\u201d<\/div>\n
3rd Place- Shannon Wurst (Fayetteville, Ark.) \u2013 \u201cBetter Than Bourbon\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
General:<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
1st Place- Alexa Rose (Asheville, N.C.) \u2013 \u201cMedicine for Living\u201d<\/div>\n
2nd Place- Bryan Elijah Smith (Dayton, Va.) \u2013 \u201cIn Through the Dark\u201d<\/div>\n
3rd Place- Wright Gatewood (Chicago, Ill.) \u2013 \u201cFirst\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Gospel\/inspirational:<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
1st Place- Russ Parrish (Burnsville, Minn.), Topher King (Savage, Minn.) \u2013 \u201cWashed By The Water\u201d<\/div>\n
2nd Place- Ashleigh Caudill (Nashville, Tenn.), Jon Weisberger (Cottontown, Tenn.) \u2013 \u201cWalkin\u2019 Into Gloryland\u201d<\/div>\n
3rd Place- Kevin T.Hale- (Brentwood, Tenn.) \u2013 \u201cWe All Die to Live Again\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
On Saturday, Molly Tuttle returned to the MerleFest stage for the first time since she won the Chris Austin Songwriting Competition in 2012. A rabid crowd ate up every guitar lick and melody Tuttle played as she continues to push the envelope of what can be played on a dreadnaught guitar. The Waybacks\u2019 annual Hillside Album Hour found the bay-area band covering Led Zeppelin IV in its entirety with Sarah Dugas (formerly of The Duhks) handling most of the vocal duties and Sam Bush, Jens Kruger, Red Young, and Tony Williamson backing them up for yet another memorable Saturday afternoon set. Sam Bush Band lit up the Watson Stage ahead of Brandi Carlile, running through his career-spanning catalog of \u201cNew Grass\u201d tunes and closing with his new rousing rock and roll anthem, \u201cStop The Violence\u201d. Traditional Bluegrass super group Earls of Leicester once again paid excellent homage to the giants of the genre, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. In an era of progression for the genre, the Earls brand of picking reminded the crowd that it\u2019s perfectly OK to stick with tradition from time to time. Brandi Carlile and her band closed out Saturday with her signature songwriting style and vocal fireworks. Drawing from her newest release, \u201cBy The Way, I Forgive You,\u201d and then diving deeper into her past works, Carlile and longtime musical partners Tim and Phil Hanseroth belted and whispered in close three-part harmonies well enough to make every last MerleFest attendee\u2019s jaw drop. To close out an already special night, Sunday headliners Seth and Scott Avett of The Avett Brothers joined Carlile around a single mic at the front edge of the Watson Stage and performed the Avett\u2019s \u201cMurder In The City\u201d, drawing a huge reaction from the already stunned crowd.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Sunday<\/div>\n
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper introduced Steep Canyon Rangers Sunday afternoon on the Watson Stage. Late last year, Gov. Cooper declared 2019 to be North Carolina\u2019s \u201cYear of Music\u201d, adding, \u201cfrom bluegrass to the blues, from gospel to funk, from beach music to indie and hip hop, North Carolina is the birthplace of many musical styles and iconic performers.\u201d Gov. Cooper was in attendance for Steep Canyon Rangers\u2019 \u201cNorth Carolina Songbook\u201d set on the Watson Stage which dove into the rich history of the region\u2019s music, specifically the musical heritage of their\u2014and the festival\u2019s\u2014home state, and solidified their place in MerleFest lore. Bluegrass patriarch and hair-style pioneer Del McCoury celebrated his 80th birthday surrounded by friends, family, and the Del McCoury Band. Del and the boys fired up the Hillside Stage, highlighting his eight-decade milestone with class and style that only the McCourys can provide. North Carolina\u2019s own The Avett Brothers closed out the festival after having joined their father, Jim Avett, for Sunday\u2019s annual Gospel Hour. On the Watson Stage, gladly playing tunes that spanned their almost-two-decade long career, The Avett Brothers had the crowd singing along from the very first line. While many MerleFest patrons have seen the Avetts at the festival before, this performance proved that the brothers and their band have now truly transcended to the next level of much-deserved stardom.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
About MerleFest<\/div>\n
MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of the son of the late American music legend Doc Watson, renowned guitarist Eddy Merle Watson. MerleFest is a celebration of “traditional plus” music, a unique mix of traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including old-time, classic country, bluegrass, folk and gospel, and blues, and expanded to include Americana, classic rock and many other styles. The festival hosts a diverse mix of artists on its 13 stages during the course of the four-day event. MerleFest has become the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, funding scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
About Window World<\/div>\n
Window World\u00ae, headquartered in North Wilkesboro, N.C., is America\u2019s largest replacement window and exterior remodeling company, with more than 200 locally owned offices nationwide. Founded in 1995, the company sells and installs windows, siding, doors and other exterior products, with over 15 million windows sold to date. Window World is an ENERGY STAR\u00ae partner and its windows, vinyl siding and Therma-Tru doors have all earned the Good Housekeeping Seal. Through its charitable foundation, Window World Cares\u00ae<\/a>, the Window World family provides funding for St. Jude Children\u2019s Research Hospital\u00ae, which honored the foundation with its Organizational Support Award in 2017. Since its inception in 2008, the foundation has raised over $8 million for St. Jude. Window World also supports the Veterans Airlift Command, a nonprofit organization that facilitates free air transportation to wounded veterans and their families. Window World has flown over 100 missions and surpassed $1 million in flights and in-kind donations since it began its partnership with the VAC in 2008. For more information, visitwww.WindowWorld.com<\/a> or call 1-800 NEXTWINDOW. For home improvement and energy efficiency tips, d\u00e9cor ideas and more, follow Window World on Facebook<\/a>and Twitter.<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n
For more information, visit www.MerleFest.org<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
MerleFest is proud to announce they\u2019ve extended their long-running partnership with Window World<\/a> through 2024\u2014they have been supporting the WCC Foundation for over 18 years. \u201cMerleFest is an amazing event that brings people together from all walks of life to celebrate incredible music,\u201d says Window World Chairman and CEO, Tammy Whitworth. \u201cAs a fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, MerleFest works wonders for the students and families in our shared community of Wilkes, and we are honored to be a part of that great tradition for another five years.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\u201cWindow World has long been a friend to the Wilkes Community College Foundation, helping to support the college since 2005,\u201d adds Ted Hagaman, MerleFest Festival Director. \u201cIn 2015, Window World increased its sponsorship by becoming the presenting sponsor for MerleFest, the foundation’s primary fundraiser funding scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs for the college. We are very pleased to announce that Window World has extended their sponsorship for an additional 5 years through 2024 and are thankful to continue our partnership with such a world-class company.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n
Keep up to date with MerleFest 2020!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many of you know that FESTIVALS are one of our core specialties here on Gary Hayes Country, and we follow and report on over 200 of them in America. I am not even half done with my 2019 work on festivals, and I have a plethora of 2020 dates rolling into my inbox. Honestly as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":22373,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12253","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t