{"id":13769,"date":"2019-12-26T23:47:23","date_gmt":"2019-12-27T05:47:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/garyhayescountry.com\/?p=13769"},"modified":"2023-09-03T20:18:44","modified_gmt":"2023-09-03T20:18:44","slug":"tons-of-information-on-merlefest-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/garyhayescountry.com\/?p=13769","title":{"rendered":"TONS Of Information On Merlefest 2020."},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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Initial Lineup Announced For MerleFest 2020<\/div>\n
Willie Nelson & Family and Alison Krauss atop billing;<\/div>\n
Chris Austin Songwriting Contest entry still open<\/div>\n
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November 12, 2019 – Wilkesboro, NC – MerleFest, presented by Window World, is proud to announce the initial lineup for MerleFest 2020, which will be held April 23-26. The annual homecoming of musicians and music fans returns to the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. \u201cFor over 30 years, one of the major factors that has built and sustained MerleFest has been the quality of the artists and performances that our guests see over the 4-day festival,\u201d says Ted Hagaman, Festival Director. \u201cPeople truly feel that the festival is a great value and that is why music fans and families return year after year. We feel that the 2020 lineup again reflects the diversity and quality of performers, and we look forward to another successful festival in April.\u201d The complete lineup for MerleFest 2020 will be announced over the next few months.<\/div>\n
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Today\u2019s lineup announcement includes Willie Nelson & Family, Alison Krauss, The Jerry Douglas Band, Sam Bush, Jim Lauderdale, Kruger Brothers, The Waybacks, Scythian, Donna The Buffalo, Peter Rowan and the Free Mexican Airforce, Tommy Emmanuel, Shinyribs, Charley Crockett, Darrell Scott, The Steel Wheels, Robbie Fulks, Amythyst Kiah, Cordovas, Alison Brown, Andy May, \u201cB\u201d Townes, Banknotes, Bill & The Belles, Bryan Sutton, Carol Rifkin, Charles Welch, Chatham Rabbits, Che Apalache, The Cleverlys, Creole Stomp with Dennis Stroughmatt, David Holt, Fireside Collective, Flattop, Happy Traum, Hogslop String Band, InterACTive Theatre of Jef, Irish Mythen, Iron Horse Bluegrass, Jack Lawrence, Jeff Little Trio, Jody Carroll, Joe Smothers, Ken Crouse, Laura Boosinger, The Local Boys, Los Texmaniacs, Mark Bumgarner, Mary Flower, Mitch Greenhill, Pete & Joan Wernick, Piedmont Bluz, Presley Barker, Rev. Robert Jones, Roy Book Binder, Sierra Ferrell, String Madness, T. Michael Coleman, Tony Williamson, Wayne Henderson, The Moore Brothers, The Williams Brothers, and Wyld Fern.<\/div>\n
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Tickets for next year\u2019s festival go on sale November 12, 2019, and may be purchased at <\/a>www.MerleFest.org<\/a> or by calling 1-800-343-7857. MerleFest offers a three-tiered pricing structure and encourages fans to take advantage of the extended early bird discount. Early Bird Tier 1 tickets may be purchased from November 12 to February 16, 2020; Early Bird Tier 2 tickets from February 17 to April 22. Remaining tickets will be sold at the gate during the festival.<\/div>\n
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New for MerleFest 2020 is \u201cThe Patio at MerleFest.\u201d This ticket-upgrade includes comfortable seating in a covered area with great views of the Watson and Cabin stages, access to the friends and family seating area (formerly named VIP), a deluxe air-conditioned mobile bathroom unit, snacks and beverages, and live video displays from the Watson and Cabin stages. Fans wanting to gain access to this exciting new addition to MerleFest should act quickly, as seating is limited.<\/div>\n
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MerleFest would also like to remind potential participants that the entry period for 2020\u2019s Chris Austin Songwriting Contest is still open. Now in its 28th year, CASC is an extraordinary opportunity for songwriters to have their original songs heard and judged by a panel of Nashville music industry professionals, under the direction of volunteer contest chairperson, Grammy-winning singer\/songwriter Jim Lauderdale. Aspiring songwriters may submit entries to the contest using the <\/a>online entry form<\/a> at MerleFest.org or by mailing entries to MerleFest\/CASC, P.O. Box 120, Wilkesboro, NC, 28697. All entries received during October and November will receive an early-entry discount price of $25 per entry, while submissions received in December and January will require a $30 fee per entry. All lyrics must be written in English and no instrumental entries will be accepted. The deadline to enter is February 1, 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\n\n\n
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About Willie Nelson & Family<\/div>\n
With a six-decade career and 200 plus albums, this iconic Texan is the creative genius behind the historic recordings of \u201cCrazy,\u201d \u201cRed Headed Stranger,\u201d and \u201cStardust.\u201d Willie Nelson has earned every conceivable award as a musician and amassed reputable credentials as an author, actor, and activist. He continues to thrive as a relevant and progressive musical and cultural force. In recent years, he has delivered more than a dozen new album releases, released a Top 10 New York Times\u2019 bestsellers book, again headlined Farm Aid, an event he co-founded in 1985, received his 5th degree black belt in Gong Kwon Yu Sul, headlined the annual Luck Reunion food and music festival at his ranch in Luck, Texas, during SXSW, launched his cannabis companies Willie\u2019s Reserve and Willie\u2019s Remedy, and graced the covers of Rolling Stone and AARP The Magazine.<\/div>\n
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In 2015, Nelson published \u201cIt\u2019s A Long Story: My Life,\u201d the unvarnished and complete story of his life that landed him on the New York Times\u2019 bestsellers list. He also released a new studio album with Merle Haggard titled Django And Jimmie, which debuted at #1 on Billboard\u2018s Country album chart and #7 on Billboard\u2019s Top 200 album chart. In November 2015, the Library of Congress honored him with their Gershwin Prize for Popular Song for his contributions to popular music. He is the first country artist to receive the distinguished award. The following year began with the release of \u201cSummertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin,\u201d a collection of 11 newly recorded Gershwin classics. The album debuted at #1 on both the Top Current Jazz chart and the Top Traditional Jazz chart, as well as earned him a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. In September 2016, came \u201cFor the Good Times: A Tribute to Ray Price,\u201d an album of newly recorded interpretations of 12 Ray Price songs. In 2017, he released two albums of newly recorded performances: \u201cGod\u2019s Problem Child,\u201d with 13 new songs that debuted at #1 on Billboard\u2019s Country album chart and #10 on the Billboard 200, and \u201cWillie Nelson and The Boys (Willie\u2019s Stash, Vol. 2),\u201d that includes 11 country classics and one brand-new song performed by Nelson and his sons Lukas and Micah. For 2018, he released \u201cLast Man Standing\u201d in April to celebrate his 85th birthday. It is comprised entirely of songs newly-penned by Nelson (and longtime collaborator and producer Buddy Cannon).<\/div>\n
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In September, he released the album \u201cMy Way,\u201d a collection of newly-recorded standards and classics originally made famous by Nelson\u2019s close friend and musical colleague Frank Sinatra. It went on to win the GRAMMY Award for Best Traditional Pop Album. For 2019, he released “Ride Me Back Home,” a new studio album with 11 recordings that are a reflective upbeat journey through life, love, and time\u2019s inescapable rhythms viewed from Willie\u2019s inimitable perspective. These new songs and performances add to his classic catalog and find Willie Nelson rolling at a creative peak, writing and singing and playing with the seasoned wit and wisdom that comes from the road, which he still travels along performing for fans. Willie Nelson & Family performs Thursday, April 23, 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\n\n\n
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About Alison Krauss<\/div>\n
Born in Champaign, Illinois, Alison Krauss grew up listening to everything from folk to opera to pop and rock music, but quickly fell in love with bluegrass when she began playing fiddle at the age of five. Shortly after, Krauss began entering fiddle contests. At the age of 14, Rounder Records signed her to her first record deal, and she went on to release her debut solo album two years later. The accomplished bluegrass musician became a member of the Grand Ole Opry at age 21.<\/div>\n
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Since 1985, Krauss has released 14 albums including five solo, seven with her longtime band and musical collaborators Union Station, and the Robert Plant collaboration \u201cRaising Sand,\u201d which was certified platinum and won five Grammys, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year. She\u2019s sold more than 12 million records to date, and her honors include 27 Grammys, nine Country Music Association Awards, 14 International Bluegrass Music Association Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards and two Gospel Music Association Awards.<\/div>\n
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\u201cWindy City,\u201d her latest solo album, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums and Top Bluegrass Albums charts and received two Grammy nominations. The album was produced by Buddy Cannon, whose vocal harmonies Krauss grew up listening to and were the soundtrack to her childhood. \u201cBuddy sang harmonies on everything back then,\u201d Krauss says. She also reveals of Cannon, \u201cI don\u2019t do something unless I feel like I\u2019m called to do it. That\u2019s what I felt like, so I honored it. It\u2019s like the same feeling of when you know something is right musically, with a song or a batch of songs \u2013the same feeling, but this was attached to a person instead of a batch of songs.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Krauss frequently collaborates with artists from numerous genres, including Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, Kenny Rogers, Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, Vince Gill, The Chieftains, James Taylor, The Cox Family, Yo-Yo Ma, Johnny Mathis, Cyndi Lauper, Heart, Bad Company, and Phish. She has recorded and toured with Willie Nelson, whom she honored with a performance during the 2015 Gershwin Prize Tribute Concert. She will reunite with Nelson this summer on a co-headlining tour throughout North America.<\/div>\n
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\u201cWhiskey Lullaby,\u201d a duet which she performed with Brad Paisley won two CMA Awards in 2004. She has also produced albums for Alan Jackson, Nickel Creek, and The Cox Family. Some of these collaborators were also formative to Krauss, and she lists influences including Tony Rice, Ricky Skaggs, Dolly Parton, Larry Sparks, The Cox Family, and Ralph Stanley. Alison Krauss performs Thursday, April 23, 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\n\n\n
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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 is the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, funding scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs.<\/div>\n
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About Window World<\/div>\n
Window World, 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 a total of over 14 million windows sold to date. Window World is an ENERGY STAR partner, and its window products have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal for 10 consecutive years. Additionally, through its charitable foundation <\/a>Window World Cares<\/a>, the Window World family provides funding for St. Jude Children\u2019s Research Hospital, which honored the foundation with its Organizational Support Award in 2017. Since its inception in 2008, Window World Cares has raised over $7 million for St. Jude. Window World Inc. also supports the Veterans Airlift Command, a non-profit organization that facilitates free air transportation to wounded veterans and their families. For more information, visit <\/a>www.WindowWorld.com<\/a> or call 1-800 NEXT WINDOW. For home improvement and energy efficiency tips, d\u00e9cor ideas and more, follow Window World on <\/a>Facebook<\/a> and <\/a>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
MerleFest Announces Lineup Additions For 2020 Festival<\/div>\n
John Prine, Billy Strings, and more to play annual NC festival<\/div>\n
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December 9, 2019 – Wilkesboro, NC – MerleFest, presented by Window World, is proud to announce the next round of artist additions for MerleFest 2020, which will be held April 23-26. John Prine, Billy Strings, Colin Hay, Kelsey Waldon, and Gangstagrass will be joining the annual homecoming of musicians and music fans on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.<\/div>\n
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Today\u2019s lineup announcement adds five great artists to MerleFest\u2019s already stacked lineup: Willie Nelson & Family, Alison Krauss, The Jerry Douglas Band, Sam Bush, Jim Lauderdale, Kruger Brothers, The Waybacks, Scythian, Donna The Buffalo, Peter Rowan and the Free Mexican Airforce, Tommy Emmanuel, Shinyribs, Charley Crockett, Darrell Scott, The Steel Wheels, Robbie Fulks, Amythyst Kiah, Cordovas, Alison Brown, Andy May, \u201cB\u201d Townes, Banknotes, Bill & The Belles, Bryan Sutton, Carol Rifkin, Charles Welch, Chatham Rabbits, Che Apalache, The Cleverlys, Creole Stomp with Dennis Stroughmatt, David Holt, Fireside Collective, Flattop, Happy Traum, Hogslop String Band, InterACTive Theatre of Jef, Irish Mythen, Iron Horse Bluegrass, Jack Lawrence, Jeff Little Trio, Jody Carroll, Joe Smothers, Ken Crouse, Laura Boosinger, The Local Boys, Los Texmaniacs, Mark Bumgarner, Mary Flower, Mitch Greenhill, Pete & Joan Wernick, Piedmont Bluz, Presley Barker, Rev. Robert Jones, Roy Book Binder, Sierra Ferrell, String Madness, T. Michael Coleman, Tony Williamson, Wayne Henderson, The Moore Brothers, The Williams Brothers, and Wyld Fern.<\/div>\n
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John Prine: A two-time Grammy-winner, John Prine is among the English language\u2019s premier phrase-turners. Almost 50 years into a remarkable career that has drawn effusive praise from Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson, Bonnie Raitt, Roger Waters, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and others who would know, Prine is a smiling, shuffling force for good. He is a 2019 Songwriter’s Hall of Fame inductee, a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member and a PEN New England Lyrics Award recipient whose classic debut album, simply titled John Prine, is recognized as part of the Recording Academy\u2019s Grammy Hall of Fame and whose songs have been recorded by Johnny Cash, Carly Simon, Bette Midler, Bonnie Raitt, Norah Jones, George Strait, Miranda Lambert, Zac Brown Band and many others. His critically acclaimed new album, The Tree of Forgiveness, was produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb and recently debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200\u2014a career-high chart position and sales week for the legendary singer, songwriter, and performer. John Prine will perform on Sunday afternoon.<\/div>\n
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Billy Strings: Billy Strings has been hailed as the future of bluegrass, transcending tradition and genre with his high velocity, flat-picking guitar technique and intense, confessional songwriting. HOME, Strings\u2019 remarkable second studio album, is undoubtedly the Michigan-born, Nashville-based artist\u2019s bravest excursion thus far, completely rewiring bluegrass with elements of punk, country, folk-rock, and genuine psychedelic exploration to fashion something altogether his own. Strings has infused the aesthetic with his own experiences and inspirations, adopting traditional sonic and lyrical idioms to confront contemporary social truths. With guest appearances from the likes of Jerry Douglas and Molly Tuttle and produced by Glenn Brown (Greensky Bluegrass, Marcus Miller), HOME is a landmark on Billy Strings\u2019 ongoing creative journey, its fearless songs and freewheeling approach recasting string-based American music in his own inimitable image. Billy Strings will perform a Doc Watson tribute with Bryan Sutton on Friday evening and a set of his original music on Saturday afternoon.<\/div>\n
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Colin Hay: Scotland-born, Australian-raised Colin Hay won the world over as charismatic front-man and gifted songwriter of 1980s pop sensation Men at Work (\u201cDown Under\u201d, \u201cOverkill\u201d, \u201cWho Can it Be Now?\u201d). Since the original lineup\u2019s separation in 1985, Colin Hay has crafted a successful solo career, releasing 13 beloved albums and touring the world with his own band and as a member of Ringo Starr\u2019s All-Starr Band. The frequent use of his music in TV and film\u2014including hit shows such as Scrubs (on which he has made several cameo appearances) and the critically-acclaimed soundtrack of Garden State\u2014has proven the timeless appeal of his songs: quizzical, curious, cynical yet open-hearted. Colin Hay will perform on Saturday evening.<\/div>\n
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Kelsey Waldon: On her new album, White Noise\/White Lines, Kelsey Waldon captures the rugged country sound of her touring band without sacrificing the intimacy of her songwriting. Waldon, a native of Monkey\u2019s Eyebrow, Kentucky, took an interest in singing, songwriting and playing guitar as a child. After moving to Nashville, she cultivated a loyal following through frequent touring. Her persistence paid off when, on stage at the Grand Ole Opry, John Prine invited Kelsey to join his Oh Boy Records family. Paste claimed that White Noise\/White Lines is \u201ceasily the best songwriting of her career.\u201d Rolling Stone said, \u201cWaldon\u2019s music is a mix of storytelling, that high-lonesome sound, and the dangerous chug of Waymore\u2019s Outlaws, filtered through her fresh perspective and emotive voice…it\u2019s no wonder Oh Boy snatched her up,\u201d and NPR wrote about her \u201cKentucky sensibility and an old-school country voice and vibe. Kelsey Waldon will perform on Sunday afternoon.<\/div>\n
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Gangstagrass: Best known as the Emmy-nominated makers of \u201cLong Hard Times to Come,\u201d the theme song to the hit FX drama Justified, Gangstagrass is back with a new live album\u2014Pocket Full of Fire\u2014featuring its original Emmy-nominated blend of bluegrass\/hip-hop. Performed by real hip-hop MCs and real bluegrass instrumentalists and produced by lead singer\/guitarist Rench, the live album is the follow-up to the group’s Billboard-charting 2015 release American Music. Pocket Full of Fire peaked at #2 on the Billboard Bluegrass Charts, having charted for 19 weeks in 2019. Containing 12 cuts of both original and traditional music with a twist, Pocket Full of Fire solidifies Gangstagrass\u2019s reputation as one of the must-see live acts in the country. As the late Elmore Leonard put it, \u201cRench and his friends have done nothing short of creating a new form of music.\u201d Gangstagrass will perform Friday afternoon and evening.<\/div>\n
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Tickets for next year\u2019s festival are on sale now and may be purchased at <\/a>www.MerleFest.org<\/a> or by calling 1-800-343-7857. MerleFest offers a three-tiered pricing structure and encourages fans to take advantage of the extended early bird discount. Early Bird Tier 1 tickets may be purchased from November 12 to February 16, 2020; Early Bird Tier 2 tickets from February 17 to April 22. Remaining tickets will be sold at the gate during the festival.<\/div>\n
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MerleFest would also like to remind potential participants that the entry period for 2020\u2019s\u202fChris Austin Songwriting Contest<\/a>\u202fis still open. Now in its 28th year, CASC is an extraordinary opportunity for songwriters to have their original songs heard and judged by a panel of Nashville music industry professionals, under the direction of volunteer contest chairperson, Grammy-winning singer\/songwriter Jim Lauderdale. Aspiring songwriters may submit entries to the contest using the\u202f<\/a>online entry form<\/a>\u202fat MerleFest.org or by mailing entries to MerleFest\/CASC, P.O. Box 120, Wilkesboro, NC, 28697. Entries received during December and January will require a $30 fee per entry. All lyrics must be written in English and no instrumental entries will be accepted. The deadline to enter is February 1, 2020.<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Initial Lineup Announced For MerleFest 2020 Willie Nelson & Family and Alison Krauss atop billing; Chris Austin Songwriting Contest entry still open November 12, 2019 – Wilkesboro, NC – MerleFest, presented by Window World, is proud to announce the initial lineup for MerleFest 2020, which will be held April 23-26. The annual homecoming of musicians and music fans […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":21349,"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-13769","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