Above: Tellico
Founded in 1988, MerleFest is a widely known music festival held annually in Wilkesboro. It was for years hosted by Grammy Award-winner Doc Watson (1923–2012), and is named in honor of Doc’s son Eddy Merle Watson who died in a farm accident in 1985. This year, the festival will be held April 28–May 1, and will feature some of the biggest names in Bluegrass, old-time, folk, Celtic, Cajun, and rock in what Doc liked to describe as “traditional plus” music.
To give fans a sneak peek at this year’s lineup, “MerleFest On the Road” performers are touring the Southeast, and will play Isis Restaurant & Music Hall in West Asheville at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 3. Scheduled to perform at this concert are High Plains Jamboree and two bands with strong Asheville connections: Tellico and Zoe & Cloyd.
Steve Johnson, MerleFest artist relations manager, says, “We are delighted to showcase some of the finest artists on the 2016 lineup… We believe that the fans who catch a ‘MerleFest On the Road’ show will be more enthusiastic than ever for the festival in April!”
Tickets for the concert on March 3 are $15 and available online at isisasheville.com. For more information about MerleFest and to purchase tickets, visit merlefest.org.
