MerleFest 2019 Announces Initial Lineup

“Traditional Plus” is the guidance the 32-year-old MerleFest held in Wilkesboro, North Carolina uses each year while assembling a lineup for the now legendary event. Though some mistakenly think MerleFest is named for Merle Haggard, it’s actually named in memory of guitarist Eddy Merle Watson, who was the son of Doc Watson. Founded in 1988, the fests continues to grow each year, and though traditional country, bluegrass and roots is what MerleFest was built on and still represents for the most part, it has expanded over the years to also incorporate Americana, blues, and roots rock.

Being held April 25-28 in 2019 on the campus of Wilkes Community College in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Tyler Childers, Wynonna and the Big Noise, American Aquarium, Lindi Ortega, and The Gibson Brothers are just some of the 75 names the festival has announced in their initial lineup. They’ve also announced that the legendary impromptu and free form “Late Night Jam” next year will be hosted by Chatham County Line.

“MerleFest continues its tradition of honoring the tried and true performers that our MerleFest fans have come to know and love like Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Jim Lauderdale, and The Kruger Brothers and adding to them some of the top traditional plus acts performing today like Tyler Childers, Wynonna & The Big Noise, Keb’ Mo’,” says Lindsay Craven, MerleFest Artist Relations Manager. “The initial lineup reflects the musical diversity and quality of performers who are the hallmark of the festival.”

All weekend passes and individual day tickets are on sale now, and expect many more names to be announced for 2019 MerleFest in the coming weeks. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit merlefest.org .

MerleFest 2019 Initial Lineup:

• American Aquarium • Andy May • Ana Egge & The Sentimentals • AZTEC SUN • Banknotes • Bob Hill • Cane Mill Road • Carol Rifkin • Carolina Blue • Catfish Keith • Charles Welch • Chatham County Line • David LaMotte • Dirk Powell Band • Donna the Buffalo • Driftwood • Elephant Sessions • Elizabeth Cook • Ellis Dyson & The Shambles • Gordie MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys • Happy Traum • Irish Mythen • Jack Lawrence • Jeff Little Trio • Jess Morgan • Jim Avett • Jim Lauderdale • Joe Smothers • Jontavious Willis and Andrew Alli • Junior Brown • Junior Sisk • Larry Stephenson Band • Laura Boosinger • Lindi Ortega • Mark Bumgarner • Mark & Maggie O’Connor • Maybe April • Michaela Anne • Mile Twelve • Mitch Greenhill and String Madness • Nixon, Blevins, & Gage • Pete & Joan Wernick and FLEXIGRASS • Presley Barker • Professor Whizzpop! • Radney Foster • Roy Book Binder • Salt & Light • Scythian • Shane Hennessy • Si Kahn & The Looping Brothers • Steve Poltz • T Michael Coleman • The Black Lillies • The Gibson Brothers • The Harris Brothers • The InterACTive Theatre of Jeff • The Kruger Brothers • The Local Boys • The Trailblazers • The Waybacks • Todd Albright • Tom Feldmann • Tony Williamson • Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike • Wayne Henderson • Webb Wilder • Yarn