Jan. 3, 2013. MerleFest, presented by Lowe’s and slated for April 25-28, 2013, is proud to announce the addition of The Avett Brothers to the festival’s Sunday schedule. MerleFest, a four-day event that is an annual homecoming of musicians and music fans, will once again take place on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
Rolling Stone calls the Avett Brothers “the best Pop band in the Alt-Country corral.” The Avett Brothers are Seth Avett (guitar, percussion), Scott Avett (banjo, percussion) and Bob Crawford (vocals, bass). The Concord, North Carolina-based indie folk-pop group received rave reviews for their 2009 breakthrough major-label debut, I and Love and You, and continue to win over fans and critics with their latest release, 2012’s brilliant, complex The Carpenter, nominated for a Grammy Award.
The Avett Brothers first performed at MerleFest in 2004, and have been one of the most requested performers in the festival’s history. Just as many fans compare MerleFest to a family reunion, that comparison may be truth for the Avetts; their dad, Jim Avett, will perform some of his beloved gospel favorites during the Gospel Hour on Sunday morning on the Creekside Stage.
“Many artists that have come to MerleFest through the years. The Avetts first appeared on the lineup before they had gained world-wide fame,” says Ted Hagaman, festival director. “Our audience loved them and we could see there was something special about this group. It’s been great to watch how their careers have blossomed through the years. We¹ve been pleased to have them back a few times since that first appearance, and it is something that our fans look forward to each time. We’re pleased that they will be joining us in April to close out the festival on Sunday afternoon.”
Tickets for MerleFest 2013 can be purchased at www.merlefest.org<http://www.merlefest.org> or by calling 1-800-343-7857. An early bird ticket discount is available through March 10, 2013. Additional details about this year’s festival lineup and other MerleFest information can also be found at the website.
MerleFest, considered one of the premier music festivals in the country, is an annual homecoming of 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 who passed away May 29, 2012. 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 over 90 artists, performing on 14 stages during the course of the four-day event. The annual event has become the primary fundraiser for the WCC Endowment Corporation, funding scholarships, capital projects and other educational needs.
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