MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of Eddy Merle Watson as a fundraiser for Wilkes Community College and to celebrate 'traditional plus' music.

The Music of MerleFest was best explained by Doc himself: "When Merle and I started out we called our music 'traditional plus', meaning the traditional music of the Appalachian region plus whatever other styles we were in the mood to play. Since the beginning, the people of the college and I have agreed that the music of MerleFest is 'traditional plus'."

The MOMENTS of MerleFest are those unique experiences that only happen here. It may be two musicians you never expected to see collaborating, a shooting star over the Watson Stage during an evening's closing set, or that one set that seems to have touched everyone in the audience.

The MEMORIES of MerleFest include the memory of Eddy Merle Watson, who we honor each day with "The Tribute to Merle" and the new memories we create each year we come together to celebrate MerleFest. Fond memories we will always cherish are those of Doc and his unending contributions to the festival, the college and the music world. At MerleFest, fans would always flock when Doc graced the stage with his amazing flat-picking style, rich baritone voice and humble presence…a presence that will always be missed.

MerleFest, considered one of the premier music festivals in the country, serves as an annual homecoming for musicians and music fans. Held on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of the late Eddy Merle Watson, son of american music legend Doc Watson. MerleFest is a celebration of "traditional plus" music, a unique mix of music based on the traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including bluegrass and old-time music, and expanded to include americana, country, blues, rock and many other styles. The festival hosts numerous artists, performing on 12 stages during the course of the four-day event. The annual event has become the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, funding scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs.

Schedule of Events:

Watson Stage

11:30 am - 12:15 pm: Full Cord
12:45 pm - 01:30 pm: Tony Trischka's Earl Jam
02:00 pm - 02:45 pm: Kruger Brothers
03:15 pm - 04:00 pm: Scythian
04:00 pm - 04:45 pm: Dinner Break
05:30 pm - 06:30 pm: The War And Treaty
07:15 pm - 08:15 pm: I'm With Her
09:00 pm - 10:30 pm: Bonnie Raitt

Cabin Stage

11:00 am - 11:30 am: Todd Albright
12:15 pm - 12:45 pm: Rev. Robert Jones
01:30 pm - 02:00 pm: Fancy Hagood
02:45 pm - 03:15 pm: The Barefoot Movement
04:00 pm - 04:45 pm: Dinner Break
04:45 pm - 05:30 pm: Tami Neilson
06:30 pm - 07:15 pm: William Prince
08:15 pm - 09:00 pm: Stephen Wilson Jr.

Creekside Stage

11:00 am - 11:45 am: Jim Lauderdale and The Game Changers
12:15 pm - 01:00 pm: Mark Bumgarner
01:30 pm - 02:30 pm: Pete Wernick's FLEXIGRASS Jam
03:00 pm - 03:45 pm: Woody Platt and The Bluegrass Gentlemen
04:15 pm - 05:00 pm: The Barefoot Movement
05:30 pm - 06:30 pm: Kruger Brothers

Little Pickers Stage

11:00 am - 11:30 am: InterACTive Theater of JEF
12:15 pm - 12:45 pm: Pickin' Thistles
01:30 pm - 02:00 pm: Ella Hennessee
02:45 pm - 03:15 pm: The Wilder Flower
03:15 pm - 03:30 pm: Meet and Greet with Flattop
03:30 pm - 04:00 pm: The InterACTive Theater of JEF
04:30 pm - 05:00 pm: Presley Barker

"B" Townes americana Stage

11:30 am - 12:15 pm: Big Richard
12:45 pm - 01:30 pm: Six-String Soldiers
02:00 pm - 02:45 pm: Sweet Megg
03:15 pm - 04:00 pm: The Waybacks
04:30 pm - 05:15 pm: The Cleverlys
05:45 pm - 06:30 pm: Mattie Schell

Traditional Stage

11:00 am - 11:45 am: Songs of Doc Watson with Mitch Greenhill
12:30 pm - 01:15 pm: Wayne Henderson and Friends
02:00 pm - 02:45 pm: Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer with Chao Tian From China To Appalachia
03:30 pm - 04:15 pm: Laura Boosinger and Josh Goforth
05:00 pm - 05:45 pm: East Nash Grass
06:15 pm - 07:00 pm: Damn Tall Buildings

Pickin' Place

11:00 am - 10:00 pm: Jammin' at the Pickin' Place

Dance Stage

11:45 am - 12:30 pm: School Day Dance with Scythian
01:15 pm - 02:00 pm: Mattie Schell
02:45 pm - 03:30 pm: Damn Tall Buildings
04:15 pm - 05:00 pm: Theo Lawrence
07:15 pm - 08:15 pm: Tami Neilson
10:00 pm - 11:30 pm: Friday Night Dance with The Cleverlys

Austin Stage at Mayes Pit (Cohn Auditorium)

11:00 am - 11:45 am: Banjo Workshop with Pete Wernick, Jens Kruger, Greg Deering
12:20 pm - 12:35 pm: Jack Lawrence
12:40 pm - 12:55 pm: Carol Rifkin
01:00 pm - 01:15 pm: T. Michael Coleman
01:20 pm - 01:35 pm: Joe Smothers
01:40 pm - 02:00 pm: Presley Barker
02:30 pm - 03:15 pm: Thumbpicking Workshop Larry Nixon, Mike Palmer, Clay Lunsford, Josh Goforth, Wayne Henderson and Billy Gee
03:45 pm - 04:30 pm: Anatomy of a Guitar with Wayne Henderson
04:30 pm - 06:00 pm: Acoustic Kids with Andy May

Plaza Stage

11:00 am - 4:00 pm: Open Mic hosted by The Local Boys

Hillside Stage

11:00 am - 11:45 am: Fancy Hagood
12:15 pm - 01:00 pm: Kruger Brothers
01:30 pm - 02:15 pm: William Prince
02:45 pm - 03:30 pm: Big Richard
04:00 pm - 04:45 pm: Donna the Buffalo
05:15 pm - 06:15 pm: Sunset Sessions with Tony Trischka's Earl Jam

Walker Center Stage

11:30 am - 12:15 pm: East Nash Grass
12:45 pm - 01:30 pm: Theo Lawrence
02:00 pm - 02:45 pm: Full Cord
03:15 pm - 04:00 pm: Docabilly Blues Blowout with Mitch Greenhill and Friends
04:30 pm - 05:15 pm: Peter Rowan and The Walls of Time Band
11:00 pm - 12:30 am: Late Night Jam with Sam Bush and Friends

Autograph Tent

12:30 pm - 1:00 pm: Jim Lauderdale
03:00 pm - 3:30 pm: Fancy Hagood
04:00 pm - 4:30 pm: Damn Tall Buildings
05:00 pm - 5:30 pm: Full Cord
06:00 pm - 6:30 pm: The Cleverlys
07:00 pm - 7:30 pm: Tony Trischka
08:00 pm - 8:30 pm: East Nash Grass