MerleFest Spotlight: Kacy & Clayton

As of today we are just 43 quick days away from MerleFest!  Visit the MerleFest website now to grab your tickets to see over 100 bands and artists that all celebrate the roots of bluegrass, folk, and Americana music. 

Leading up to this family-friendly event, we will be spotlighting some of the must-see acts.  One of those acts, Kacy & Clayton, will be performing at the highly notable festival, SXSW before hitting MerleFest. Kacy & Clayton is Kacy Anderson (vocals, violin) and Clayton Linthicum (guitar, melodeon, vocals). The duo interprets and composes music inspired by traditional music from Southern Appalachia and the British Isles.

As children they were surrounded by rural musicality, absorbing the knowledge of Kacy’s grandfather (Clayton’s great-uncle) Carl Anderson. Although the second cousins are young in age, they have been playing music together for over a decade and have created a distinct and cohesive sound. Kacy’s completely unforced vocals are always in her own distinct and natural timbre. Clayton’s instrumental talents serve every song with modesty; he reserves his virtuosity for only those few transitions that require elaborate expression. The production values of their recordings are consistent and simple.

Kacy & Clayton shun studio trickery and gimmicks, pursuing mixes that recall the natural warmth of 1970s British folk LPs. In fact, much of their repertoire could easily be mistaken for hidden gems of decades past. Their return to form is no mere retro affectation; it is a respectful bearing of the torch passed on from their deep and studied musical heritage.

MerleFest, presented by Window World and slated for April 28-May 1, 2016, takes place on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in the heart of Appalachia. The 2016 lineup will feature over 100 artists, including John Prine, Old Crow Medicine Show, Jason Isbell, Dave Rawlings Machine, Brandi Carlile, The Wood Brothers, Steep Canyon Rangers, Tim O’Brien, Tommy Emmanuel, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Peter Rowan, Alison Brown, Doug Seegers, Jim Lauderdale and more!

The four-day event, the largest roots and Americana music festival in the nation, takes place on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in the heart of Appalachia. MerleFest continues the legacy of Doc Watson and is a benefit for the college. This homecoming of roots music artists and fans draws nearly 80,000 participants every year.

*Details courtesy of Hearth Music PR 

MerleFest Continues Popular Acoustic Kids Showcases

MerleFest, presented by Window World and slated for April 28-May 1, 2016, is pleased to announce the return of the Acoustic Kids Showcases to the 2016 festival.

Young pickers and singers are encouraged to apply before the March 21 deadline in order to perform during the showcases. The Acoustic Kids Showcases allow the next generation of pickers and singers and other traditional-style performers to highlight their talents for music fans at the four-day festival.

These showcases, which played to standing-room-only crowds in 2015, reflect an elevation and encouragement of talented young performers that have been part of the festival from its early days. Hosted by performer and beloved MerleFest veteran Andy May, these showcases will provide an opportunity for young performers through age 16 to perform in a supportive environment.

Participants selected will be notified by April 11. Selection is not based on how advanced a child’s performance might be, but rather it is based on a child's confidence in performing at his or her level. In fact, beginners are encouraged to apply.

 

Additional instructions and details about the Acoustic Kids Showcases, may be found at http://andymay.com/acoustic-kids/application-instructions/.
You may apply online or download a printable application at http://andymay.com/acoustic-kids-application-merlefest/.

Andy May is well known to MerleFest fans as a singer, songwriter, guitarist, mandolinist, producer, educator and visual artist. His Acoustic Kids Showcases have given many hundreds of young performers supportive performance opportunities for over 25 years.

The current MerleFest 2016 lineup and stage schedules are available online at MerleFest.org/lineup. Tickets for MerleFest 2016 may be purchased at MerleFest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857. An Early Bird discount is available through April 27, 2016.

The Acoustic Kids Showcases are held on Friday and Saturday on the Austin Stage, Dance Stage and Mayes Pit. (Program pocket schedule has specific times.) Additionally, from among this year’s pool of applicants, several performers will be chosen for a special “Acoustic Kids Ambassadors” performance hosted by Andy May on the Cabin Stage Saturday evening.

MerleFest Spotlight: Mipso

You might have been fortunate to see one of their three shows in Chapel Hill and Raleigh last week, or perhaps even witness band members Joseph Terrell and Libby Rodenbaugh win the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest just a year ago at MerleFest.  Whether you've seen them recently or never at all, Mipso is a band that is certainly poised for big things at this year's MerleFest.  Joining Terrell and Rodenbaugh are band members Jacob Sharp and Wood Robinson, who together form the Chapel Hill based Americana/folk band.  In a short span of two years, the group has released their first album titled, Dark Holler Pop, and embarked on a six week journey that took them to the far distant lands of Portland, ME and San Francisco, CA.  In part due to their recent success, Mipso is now set to make their MerleFest debut later this week.

During their recent visit to Chapel Hill, Mipso members, Libby and Jacob, were kind enough to sit down with The Triangle Beat to discuss the incredible journey the band has experienced in recent months and the excitement for what is yet to come.  Check out what Mipso had to say:

The Triangle Beat: Being from the Triangle, I know that UNC played a role in bringing the group together, but more specifically how did the group piece itself together to form Mipso?

Jacob: It first began when I met Joseph and we discovered that we shared similar musical interest without any aspirations of playing together. From there, Joseph, Libby and I all individually explored our own musical interests away from here before eventually getting asked to play music one night for a fundraiser at a frat house; the genre they wanted was bluegrass.  It wasn't something Wood, Joseph, nor I had set out to focus on, but we enjoyed playing that night, and that provided us with the desire to get better.

The Triangle Beat: At what point, do you feel it became clear to the band that Mipso was going to be successful?

Libby: I think it was somewhat gradual and also very clear for the group.  It was gradual that the band realized that people were enjoying our music and coming out very consistently, but our plan seemed almost planned for us in that we all graduated around the same time.  It seemed possible at that point that with our success and with our similar situations, I think there was a collective understanding that this was probably the best time for us to try and make it as a band.

The Triangle Beat: What has it been like for Mipso as you've gained success and experience in these past two years?

Jacob: It has been unique to start out as a group of people that just enjoyed music and now two years into it we have gained so much knowledge about being a band and also an understanding of the approach to touring, to life on the road, and how to maintain perspective of what is our purpose for the band as well.

The Triangle Beat: What was it like on your most recent tour which featured a lot of new venues for Mipso?

Libby: Well there were a lot of stops on this tour that we have never played before so there were a lot of people that had never heard us.  I found the most fulfilling aspect about this tour was that we were able to win people over at each stop along the way.  It may be a couple that was sitting in the front of a room that could connect with our music and that can be just as rewarding as having a full room.

The Triangle Beat: What is it like for the band to be just one year removed from winning the songwriting contest to now actually performing at this year's MerleFest?

Jacob: We will be performing twice Friday afternoon and again at the Midnight Jam on Saturday night. It is especially exciting for us and we have found that everyone knows about MerleFest no matter where we play. As festivals go, it is the start of festival season for many bands and there are 80,000 people that will be there, so for us it is exciting to think that this is our first time getting to experience the festival.

Libby: It seemed like every stop of the tour we were being introduced as performers at this year's Merlefest and that name is so meaningful in a way that we could have ever even realized.  It is also exciting for us to get to see other acts perform that we enjoy such as, Hot Rize, New Country Rehab, and Cahalen Morrison and Eli West.  I think that is a great part about MerleFest in that we get to see some of our friends perform in addition to being selected to play at such a wonderful festival in our own state.

The Triangle Beat: I've heard that you've been working on a new album while touring.  What should we expect from your new music?

Jacob: We are working with Andrew Marlin of Mandolin Orange on our newest record.  This time around he is working solely as our producer.  Jerry Brown owns the studio that we are producing in and he is working as the engineer.  In comparison to Dark Holler Pop, the distinction in sound is our new album is more rooted in being a string band that is focused on old-timey rhythmic sound.

Libby: The reason we say that it is more old-time is that we had an entirely different mentality, focusing more on groove based songs and featuring more melodic rhythms from the various string instruments that we play.

Jacob: One other distinction is that Dark Holler Pop featured a lot of the great musicians from our community in the Triangle and our newest album is more focused on just us with some assistance from Andrew and also Josh Oliver, but it is definitely more Mipso focused than our previous album.

As MerleFest 2015 is edging ever so closely, be sure to add Mipso to your Friday afternoon lineup.  Mipso will be performing at the Walker Center on Friday at 12 Noon, on the Cabin Stage from 6:20 - 6:45 and again on Saturday in the always entertaining Midnight Jam.  Following their MerleFest performance, be on the lookout for more information on upcoming shows in the Triangle and the release of their highly anticipated album.  Tickets for MerleFest are still available and can be purchased for the entire weekend or single day passes by visiting www.Merlefest.org. We'll see you there!

MerleFest Spotlight: Scythian

Dance-inducing Celtic rock and American folk band, Scythian, will once again bring the party to MerleFest.  "Named after Ukrainian nomads, Scythian merges Irish, gypsy, and Americana with thunderous energy, technical zest, and soulful songwriting, beckoning crowds into a barn-dance rock concert experience."  Performing on four different stages at the festival, Scythian promises to deliver a different set on each stage.  In addition to watching their energetic and charismatic shows, Scythian will be available on Thursday at 8 and Friday at 6 for signing appearances.  



The attendees of MerleFest are in for a special treat because Scythian will be releasing their new album, Old Tin Can, which is a tribute to the band's roots.  As stated in a press release:

'Old Tin Can' is the companion album of 2014 release 'Jump at the Sun', which was funded entirely by Scythian fans. As a ‘thank you” for the generous funding of the album, Old Tin Can is Scythian’s tip of the cap to the tradition that inspired them. The album features Scythian’s take on favorite Celtic and Americana tunes that helped form their musical palette. Featuring stirring ballads made known by the likes of Doc Watson, the Carter Family and Christie Moore, spirited jigs, soulful waltzes and even a Ukrainian Kozak love song, Old Tin Can reveals the roots of the tree that is now Scythian. With one listen to this eclectic album one can one can trace the outlines of a show which transcends musical and ethnic boundaries.

Scythian will also be playing on May 28 as a part of WUNC's Music on the Lawn Series.  This event takes place at the American Tobacco District in Durham and is free to the public.   

 

Lincoln Theatre Hosts Scythian and The Moore Brothers

On an overcast afternoon in western North Carolina, hundreds of people gathered on the Hillside Stage at this year's MerleFest Festival.  Some patrons of the festival knew exactly what was about to happen, but for others it would be an unexpected performance to say the least.  Within moments of taking the stage, Scythian had every member of the audience dancing and jumping to the beat of their Celtic music.  For the duration of the performance, it became apparent that Scythian thrives on getting engaged with their audience and maintaining that connection from start to finish.  Including instruments like the fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and even an accordion, Scythian provides an experience for music listeners that you can't resist being a part of.   

Prior to greeting old and new fans alike at the conclusion of their performance, Scythian announced they would be returning to North Carolina in order to play at Lincoln Theatre on May 23.  Lead singer Danylo Fedoryka, spoke with The Triangle Beat recently about their Merlefest experience and their upcoming show in Raleigh.   

The Triangle Beat: Scythian has a unique blend of musical influences in the sound they create.  How or where did that originate?

Daniel:  We all shared in a love for Irish music and our parents are from the Ukraine, though we all grew up in the Shenandoah Valley.  Once we started making music, our goal was to start including all aspects of our upbringing.  It seems perfect for our goal in playing music and hopefully our fans continue to enjoy it.  For us it has always been about being who we want to be as musicians and part of that is never trying to play into a certain genre.  We are not bluegrass, we are not rock, we include elements of a lot of genres but you can’t really label us one genre.

TTB: What brought Scythian together?

Dan:  It all started with Joe and Alex living together out of college.  We attended Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio and together we made up the founding members of the band.  Ben-David’s dad taught at the same school as my parents, so we met him through our parents.  Tim, our newest band member, also attended the same school that we did.  My sister is in the process of finishing up her doctoral degree and will be joining us as a member of the band when that is complete.  Since college though, we've all settled in Alexandria, VA just outside of D.C., which seems to be a great fit for all members of the band.   

TTB: You’re in your 10^th year as a band, what has changed the most for Scythian during those 10 years?

Dan:  It really takes a while to find out what your sound is.  For us, we started as street performers in college and certainly didn’t envision being a full time band and doing so without a record label.  It is always a work in progress, but it is the spirit of our shows that has allowed us to continue to produce things we are proud of.  It has been a natural evolution over time, that we intentionally took our time with.  Now we are in a position that we can share what we want with our listeners. 

TTB: Building off of those years together, where does the band envision going in the future?

Dan: Most directly we are taking fans on a 10 year reunion trip to Ireland.  It is going to be really special for us to go out with our fans on a bus as we perform all over Ireland, but we also get to be tourists with our fans as well.  We will spend most of our time on the West Coast, but we are so excited for the trip.  10 years has been a big deal for us.

TTB: You’ve now played at Merlefest several times, what has that experience been like over the years?

Dan:  Having played Merlefest several times now, we have been able to witness the growth of the experience through our music and the other performers.  This past year, the dance tent was off the chain.  To summarize that experience there was body surfing bluegrass at the dance tent. There were also twice as many performers for the midnight show.  Surprise appearances really made a difference and going into this year there was a lot bigger interest from musicians, wanting to be a part of the whole experience.  Bluegrass Situation co-hosted and that certainly helped to get a lot of bands to join in the action.  That experience was quite intense to have so many talented musicians on one stage.  So it is nice to see the festival evolve and to be a part of that experience.

TTB:Can you tell me what producing Jump at the Sun was like and who does most of the writing for the band?

Dan: Jump at the Sun is our newest album and it encompasses what we feel is a true representation of what we want to sound like.  It pre-released at Merlefest and was well received from the crowd there.  As an album, it incorporates all elements of our unique sound and we wanted it to represent the energy you'd experience from one of our live shows.  Typically I write some of our music, but my brother is the main writer for the band.  Something unique about Jump at the Sun, Ben-David Warner, our banjo player, wrote 3 songs for this album and we are really excited to bring this all together on the album. 

 TTB: Is this Scythian's first time playing in the Triangle?  What do you want people to take away from the experience they have during a Scythian concert?

Dan:  We've actually played a couple of times in Raleigh, we originally played at the Berkley Café and this past year we hosted the IMBA festival dance tent.  For the people who catch our show, we are constantly switching instruments throughout our show and so it really is a testament to the musical talents of our band members.  We want to engage our fans and get people to start dancing.  Our main goal is to get fans to forget about their worries for a short amount of time and just enjoy good music.  We are also excited to have the Moore Brothers opening for us.  We met them at Merlefest when they were 11, 14, 16 years old and they completely blew us away.  They are awesome young musicians featuring a mandolin, bass, and guitar player that you don’t want to miss.

More information about Scythian, upcoming tour dates, and the 10 year reunion trip to Ireland can be found by visiting the Scythian website. Scythian is made up of Danylo and Alexander Fedoryka, Josef Crosby, Ben-David Warner, and Tim Hepburn.  Scythian and the Moore Brothers will be taking the stage this Friday night at Lincoln Theatre.  Doors are set to open at 8pm and the show starts at 9pm.  The show is open to all ages and tickets can be purchased by going on the Lincoln Theatre website.

Merlefest Spotlight: Mandolin Orange

As a part of The Triangle Beat's coverage of Merlefest 2014, our next spotlight is of a band that calls the triangle their home.  Based out of Chapel Hill, Emily Frantz and Andrew Marlin combine their musical talents and amazing voices to form Mandolin Orange.  The band has been on tour for the past few months and will return to North Carolina to join the all-star lineup for this year's festival.  Emily recently spoke with The Triangle Beat about the anticipation of playing at Merlefest.

The Triangle Beat: This is Mandolin Orange's first time playing at Merlefest.  What does it mean for the band to be a part of this year's festival?

Emily: I remember going to the festival when I was 11 and even then I could tell that Merlefest was a special place. There are people that go year after year and they truly love every aspect of Merlefest and we are excited to be a part of it all this year.  As a festival, Merlefest is a staple event in North Carolina and it means a lot to be sharing the stage with so many of the greats in the music industry.

TTB: When will you be playing at Merlefest?

Emily: We will actually be performing three times at the festival.  On Friday we are playing from 6:30-7:15 on the Americana Stage.  Saturday will be really special when we get to take part in the midnight jam with other artists like the Steep Canyon Rangers and Della Mae. That should be a really unique experience.  Then on Sunday we will be performing on the Cabin Stage from 11:00-11:30.  

TTB: When playing a new venue or event like Merlefest, what do you hope people take away from hearing you play that might not be familiar with Mandolin Orange?

Emily:  Well I think anytime you are playing in front of a new audience, you hope that they are able to engage in your songs and that they care about what you provide musically.  It's always nice when you get a chance after shows to meet someone that heard you for the first time and they share about their experience.  Throughout our years of playing together, it is that positive feedback that has driven us onward and upward in our music.

TTB:  With both you and Andrew being from North Carolina, what has this past year been like getting the opportunity to tour all over the country?

Emily:  It has been a very busy year for us.   Until this year we had primarily stayed on the east coast, but this past year we've been able to play all over.  We just played our first shows in California as a part of this tour and we got a great reception from people all along the way.  There is nothing like coming back home though and playing at Merlefest is going to be a perfect ending to our tour.

TTB: Once you've finished your tour, what kind of things does Mandolin Orange have planned for the future?

Emily: As a band, we are always looking for new challenges and opportunities.  When we started playing together in 2009, our mentality was to always have something new to strive for and that mentality has guided us to where we are today.  That being said we are hoping to have a solid European tour in the near future and we would also like the opportunity to play other major music festivals like Merlefest.  

Mandolin Orange's most recent album, This Side of Jordan, was released in the fall of 2013.  In the days leading up to the festival, be sure to check out Mandolin Orange and stop by to see them while at Merlefest. You can get more information on Mandolin Orange by visiting their website at www.mandolinorange.com.

Merlefest Spotlight: Nu-Blu

The Triangle Beat is excited to announce we will be covering Merlefest 2014 live on Friday, April 25.  This year's lineup promises to be one that you don't want to miss, so get your tickets now at www.merlefest.org.

In anticipation of the start of the four day festival, The Triangle Beat will be spotlighting several area bands performing next week.  Our first feature is on the Siler City based bluegrass band, Nu-Blu.  The band features Carolyn Routh on vocals and bass, Daniel Routh on guitar, Levi Austin on banjo, and Austin Koerner on the mandolin. In a recent interview, Carolyn spoke with The Triangle Beat about the band's own excitement to be playing Merlefest.

The Triangle Beat: Is this the first time for Nu-Blu playing at Merlefest?

Carolyn: This is our first time playing Merlefest and as the landmark bluegrass festival of North Carolina, we are very excited to be a part of this year's lineup.  We will actually be performing twice on Friday, once on the Americana Stage from 12:15-1pm and again on the Plaza Stage from 6:15-6:45.  

TTB: As North Carolinians, how did Nu Blu get started and where did the name of the band come from?

Carolyn: Growing up I always had a love for music.  I remember as a young girl when other girls were doodling their names in notebooks, I was doodling song names and band names that I thought sounded good.  One of those names just happened to be Nu Blu.  At the time I was not a bluegrass fan, but as my love for music continued, it would end up being a perfect name for what is now our band.

As for the members of the band, I met Daniel, who is now my husband, in late December of 2000.  We shared in our love for music and ambition to make a career out of playing music from the beginning. After playing local street festivals and small town venues for the first few years, we added Levi to the group in 2006, who was only 14 years old at the time.  As we continued playing, Austin began filling in as our mandolin player only to become full time soon after.

TTB:  Playing at events like Merlefest, it is great exposure to people who might not have heard your music before.  What do you hope for someone to take away from hearing Nu-Blu play?

Carolyn:  For me personally, I feel like some people have a perception that all bluegrass music is the same and that turns them away from actually listening to the music.  With this in mind, we want those fans to be able to say, "You know I've never really liked bluegrass, but I really like what you are doing." At the end of the day, we don't want to be defined by a genre.  If a fan is enjoying the music, it doesn't really matter what genre it is.

TTB:  What are the goals Nu-Blu has moving forward as a band?  Can we expect another album soon?

Carolyn:   We are in a great place as a band right now.  Playing professionally has allowed us to make so many great connections and provided us with opportunities that you could never anticipate.  For example, we just played our first show on the gulf coast and we've now played all over the country and even Canada.  With this success, we hope to continue to mature both as a band and in the sound that we create.

As for an album, we just recently went back into the studio to start the recording of our next album.  It was originally set up for us to go back into the studio in December, but we didn't actually get to start until March.

TTB:  What can listeners expect to hear from the new album compared to previous recordings?

Carolyn:  Well with this album, we didn't really try to be different in our approach to the music but I think the maturity of the band allows for a different sound and emotional experience for listeners than previous recordings.  For me personally, it is all about creating an emotional experience for the individual and with the collection of songs we have selected for this album, I think it will be one that can provide that for our listeners.

If you plan on making it to the festival this year, make sure to add Nu-Blu to the list of bands you need to check out.  Prior to the festival, you can get a preview of Nu-Blu and additional information by going to their website at www.nu-blu.com.  Stay tuned for more band spotlights leading up to the start of Merlefest 2014 and we'll see you there.

  

North Carolina Music Festivals

With the start of spring and major music festivals like Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza months away, North Carolina has a number of music festivals in the upcoming weeks that are sure to satisfy all of your musical needs.  The Triangle Beat has you covered on who is playing when and where.

APRIL 9-13: AZALEA MUSIC FESTIVAL 

If you are looking for an opportunity to experience great music and coastal living, the Azalea Music Festival is the place to be.  Located in Wilmington, NC, this five day event is sure to provide visitors with a snapshot of what makes Wilmington one of North Carolina's most popular destinations.  The Azalea Festival is a celebration of Wilmington's rich history, local artists, and great music.  Known for bringing in artists like the Avett Brothers and Brad Paisley, this year's lineup is highlighted by a night of country music stars followed by a performance from one of the greatest rock bands and live performers today.  On Thursday, April 10, the country music trio of Justin Moore, Randy Hauser, and Josh Thompson will be taking the stage.  On Friday and Saturday, Widespread Panic will play a two-night show to conclude this year's festival.  Known as one of the greatest jam bands, Widespread Panic is sure to bring a performance to the Azalea Festival that will be unlike any other.  Ticket information and more can be found at www.ncazaleafestival.org.

APRIL 17-20: SHIKORI HILLS GRASSROOTS FESTIVAL

Located just miles outside of Chapel Hill, the Shikori Hills Grassroots Festival will get under way on April 17.  Known for being a musical escape from everyday life in the Triangle, Shikori Hill's lineup features a wide range of acts that will provide yet another great festival experience.  Highlighting this year's festival are the Indigo Girls, The Del McCoury Band, and Donna the Buffalo.  Other artists performing over the 4 days include Ben Sollee, Big Fat Gap, Phil Cook and The Guitarheels and many more.  In addition to the great music you'll find at Shikori Hills, there will be several local craft and food vendors to help you make the most of Shikori Hills. Ticket and festival information can be found at www.shikorihillsgrassroots.org.


APRIL 23-27: MOOGFEST

Proclaimed as the synthesis of technology, art and music, Moogfest 2014 is set to provide a wide arrangement of entertainment for all those looking to check out Asheville during this five day event. Created in 2004 to honor the contributions to electronic music by Bob Moog, this year's festival is providing participants with more talent than ever.  Not only will there be a focus on great music by the likes of Kraftwork 3D, M.I.A, Pet Shop Boys, Dan Deacon, and Flying Lotus, this year features more opportunities for the exchanging of ideas through the inclusion of discussion panels, workshops, and film.  Moogfest offers a wide variety of ticket packages and day passes for those interested in being a part of what is sure to be a unique experience. For tickets and other information, check out www.moogfest.com.

APRIL 24-27: MERLEFEST MUSIC FESTIVAL

Originally started to honor Merle Watson in 1988, the MerleFest Music Festival is celebrating 25 years of great music this year.  Nestled in the hills of Wilkes county, Wilkes Community College serves as the grounds for this family friendly event. The festival will be host to over 130 different acts covering the span of the four day festival with several big name acts headlining each evening.  Starting with Thursday, the release of a bluegrass album this past year brings Alan Jackson to MerleFest as well as The Carolina Chocolate Drops and Holly Williams.  Friday is highlighted by the Steep Canyon Rangers, Keller Williams, and Old Crow Medicine Show.  Saturday features Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, who will be playing at Merlefest for the first time since 2008. Closing out the festival on Sunday will be a special performance by Merle Haggard, Jim Avett, Dailey and Vincent, and local artist Mandolin Orange.  Tickets for MerleFest are still available at www.merlefest.org.