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There are many great websites featuring live performances by Americana artists. We try to keep track of some of these sites for your convenience.  Check out the Concert Page for links to free online concerts featuring Americana artists. 

Merlefest 2006

Merlefest: The Americana Music Celebration (April 27-30)  
On April 30, the 19th annual Merlefest music festival came to a close in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The four-day Americana music festival honors the memory of the late Merle Watson (son of Doc Watson) and features many of the biggest names in Americana. Having evolved from its origin as a strictly bluegrass festival, the current Merlefest encompasses artists from a variety of Americana styles. Bluegrass, folk, blues, gospel, and Celtic music emanate from thirteen separate stages around the venue.

Given the size and scope of Merlefest 2006, it is difficult to encapsulate the entire event in a few paragraphs.  But since that's what we're here for, here are a few of the highlights which we observed at this year's festival:

The Duhks - Watson Stage - Saturday, April 29:
As reported below, the Duhks came to Merlefest shortly after picking up a Juno award for the best Roots & Traditional Album of the Year (Group category). The band's Saturday morning set opened the day on the festival's main stage - the Watson stage.  A solid performance from the band (especially considering the 10:15 a.m. start) was well received by the audience.  In addition to songs from their previous two albums, the group also provided a brief glimpse of material from their upcoming CD which will be released in August.     

Darrell Scott - Hillside Stage - Saturday, April 29:
In January, Darrell Scott stopped by the ArtsCenter in Carrboro, North Carolina to play the venue where he recorded part of the his latest live CD Live in NC. (Actually, the ArtsCenter is adjacent to the Cat's Cradle where part of the CD was recorded, but I digress.) The January performance was essentially an acoustic performance which consisted of a mix of previously released songs with a couple of songs from his upcoming CD - The Invisible Man. 

Darrell Scott's Merlefest performance on Saturday marked quite a contrast in both style and material from the earlier Carrboro concert. The 45-minute set featured lots of electric guitar and a full backing band.  (We should note that fiddler Casey Driesson is set to release his first solo CD entitled 3D which features Scott, Jerry Douglas, Tim O'Brien and others.) The Merlefest set also focused heavily on material from Scott's upcoming CD which will be released in June. Darrell's fans will not be disappointed with the release.  "I'm Nobody" from the new CD was one of the highlights of the set.  Another highlight was a brooding and brilliant cover of Peter Rowan's "Midnight Moonlight." Unfortunately, this song does not appear on the new CD. 

Gillian Welch - Creekside Stage - Saturday, April 29:
The Creekside Stage at Merlefest was absolutely packed for the 45-minute set from Gillian Welch on Saturday afternoon. The crowd filled the venue and poured into the edges of the surrounding forest to catch a glimpse of one of the most respected country-folk singer-songwriters today. As always, Welch was joined by her extremely talented musical partner, David Rawlings. The musical duo did not disappoint the gathered throng of fans. The enthusiastic crowd pelted the performers with requests and even garnered an encore from the duo (which is somewhat rare for the precisely-timed festival).    

Guy Clark, Verlon Thompson, Shawn Camp - Walker Center - Saturday, April 29:
The Walker Center hosted a capacity crowd for a performance by legendary Texas songwriter Guy Clark. Clark was joined on stage by Verlon Thompson on guitar and Shawn Camp on fiddle. Despite some forgotten lyrics by Clark, the appreciative audience appeared to enjoy every moment of the performance.  Clark closed the show with "L.A. Freeway," but the auditorium demanded an encore from the Americana legend, who was happy to oblige the request.

The Cottars - Americana Stage - Sunday, April 30:
The Cottars provided a Celtic flavor to Merlefest on Sunday morning. The Cape Breton group which features two brother-sister pairs performed on the Americana stage to a very receptive audience.  The Cottars are a cross between Nickel Creek and The Chieftains. Despite their relative youth, the Cottars are superb musicians. Their talents were on prominent display during the Sunday morning performance.  Fiddler Roseanne MacKenzie provided a beautiful solo instrumental, as did bandmate Fiona MacGillivray on Irish whistle. The group's appreciation for traditional Celtic songs was illustrated on songs like "Byker Hill" and "Pat Works on the Railway" from their latest CD Forerunner. However, the Cottars also have a pop sensibility which should serve them well as their fan base grows. 

Pete Seeger - Little Pickers Stage - Sunday, April 30:
Folk music legend Pete Seeger entertained an audience with stories and children's songs on the Little Pickers Stage at Merlefest on Sunday morning.  Joined on stage by his grandson, the 87 year old Seeger showed few signs of his advanced age - even stepping down from the stage into the audience to play and tell stories.  The folk icon is also the subject of Bruce Springsteen's latest CD - We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions.                   

Emmylou Harris - Watson Stage - Sunday, April 30:
On Sunday afternoon, Emmylou Harris took the main stage at Merlefest to perform an hour long set of bluegrass songs with several friends and long-time musical companions.  The acoustic set list drew heavily from Harris's bluegrass recordings over the years including "Wayfaring Stranger," "Green Pastures" and "Darkest Hour Is Just Before Dawn."  Harris also added bluegrass versions of "Blue Kentucky Girl," "Memories of You," and the Townes Van Zandt classic "Poncho and Lefty" (which Harris recorded in 1977 before Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard's hit version). Gillian Welch and David Rawlings joined Harris to perform "Your Long Journey" which was written by Rosalee Watson - the mother of Merlefest's namesake. 

As expected, Merlefest proved why it is regarded as one of the premier Americana music festivals in the country.  All Americana music fans should make arrangements to attend this festival if they have the chance.  Trust us, you won't be disappointed.               

(Apr. 30, 2006)