Merlefest?

[Jim Owen]

This is Merlefest week. Anyone headed there? I’ve not gone in a few years, but Saturday looks to be a good day.

[Kerbie]

I wish.

It's always a great time. I look forward to hearing about it.

[Earl49]

It's on my bucket list for "someday" but I rarely get to the east coast. My preference these days is for smaller more focused camps with lots of instruction versus festivals with mostly concerts.

[fitness1]

Last time I went was '91 - when they capped ticket sales at 6000. Excellent lineups back then, and I won a lottery to be one of 50 people to witness history - a Smithsonian video recording of Doc, Pete Seeger, Mike Seeger, Steve Kaufman etc. Something I'll never forget.

Can't imagine how big it must be now.

One of the best things about it in the old days was going to the Addison Motor Inn at night and hearing all the big hitters playing in their hotel rooms. They'd just leave the doors open and we'd wander around.

[Kerbie]

6000? Wow, I think they've now gone over 80,000 for the entire festival. Somewhere in that ballpark...

[Fogducker]

I was checking the camping rules and saw where they don't want you to have your awning down. That's a little tight for me!

Fog

[frankmcr]

Originally Posted by Kerbie

6000? Wow, I think they've now gone over 80,000 for the entire festival. Somewhere in that ballpark...

"nearly 80,000" says the Winston-Salem Journal

https://www.journalnow.com/entertain...3a9d05266.html

Too many for me.

[Skarsaune]

We’re mostly over festivals(can’t take the crowds), but we are going tomorrow to dip our toe in the water.

Bristol Rhythm and Roots lineup came out yesterday - tomorrow is a test run.

[PorkPieGuy]

I'll be there! I just scored a VIP tickets last night, and I actually played with a band for a Merlefest Outreach concert at a local elementary school; however, I won't be playing with the band when they play the festival (Long story).

Should be a good time.

[Kerbie]

Sorry you won't be playing, PPG, but I'm glad you'll be there. Let us know how it goes!

[Jim Owen]

Congrats on your score, Martin. I had VIP tickets once, and that was cool. I’ll be there Saturday. My Wilkes Acoustic Folk Society buddies are running a couple of jam tents, and I reckon on watching the acts Roy Bookbinder brings to the blues show.

I’m looking forward to seeing Keb Mo.

[Jim Owen]

I went. Saturday was a fine day of music, starting with the Kruger Brothers, moving onto Roy Bookbinder and the blues players he had lined up. I forget how much I enjoy Happy Traum’s subtle playing. But all day today, I’ve been humming Betty and Dupree.

I’d never seen Keb Mo, but have a couple of his CDs. He was excellent.

My day ended with Brandi Carlile. Both she and her band were stellar. It’s one of the finest shows I’ve seen in years.

[Lauren_WarEagle]

Originally Posted by Jim Owen

I went. Saturday was a fine day of music, starting with the Kruger Brothers, moving onto Roy Bookbinder and the blues players he had lined up. I forget how much I enjoy Happy Traum’s subtle playing. But all day today, I’ve been humming Betty and Dupree.

I’d never seen Keb Mo, but have a couple of his CDs. He was excellent.

My day ended with Brandi Carlile. Both she and her band were stellar. It’s one of the finest shows I’ve seen in years.

Oh, I adore Brandi Carlile. She’s a heck of a singer and songwriter. I’ve always heard Merlefest is the place to go for good music. Glad you had a great time!

[PorkPieGuy]

Yup, I went as well. I've been Merlefest under various circumstances. I've competed there, I've played, and I've also been a patron. For me, I always enjoy the smaller stages (in particular the dance tent) more than any of the big-stage shows. My favorites this year were the American Aquarium, Keb Mo, Aztec Sun, and Junior Brown. The real takeaway this year was Tyler Childers. That dude's the real deal.