MerleFest, the internationally renowned music festival, wrapped its 37th year last weekend with headliner performances by Bonnie Raitt, the Avett Brothers, and Watchhouse.
The festival features “traditional plus” music, a blend of styles based on the “traditional, roots- oriented culture of the Appalachian region.” It’s not just bluegrass though — MerleFest musical genres include everything from Americana to blues to rock and more.
MerleFest is held on the campus of Wilkes Community College and is a fundraiser for the rural college located in the foothills of North Carolina. When the festival started in 1988, no one could have imagined its continued success. What began as a two-day festival with legendary singer, songwriter, and flatpicking guitarist Doc Watson playing with his friends has morphed into an event with 12 stages and over 100 acts. More than 70,000 people attend over the festival’s four days.
MerleFest was initially a fundraiser to support the college’s gardens and was held in memory of Watson’s son, Merle. Now, it’s one of the largest fundraising events for the college’s foundation, raising money for student scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs. Last year, the estimated regional economic impact of the festival was over $15 million.
If one song can show the spectrum of humanity, it stands to reason that a music festival can, too. There’s no question that music is the draw for MerleFest fans and artists alike.
American roots legend Bonnie Raitt headlined Friday evening, bringing her soulful sound to the Watson stage. An iconic voice and a career spanning decades make her a fan favorite. Raitt is no doubt a gifted storyteller, both in song and on stage.
Before singing her Grammy Award-winning hit “Just Like That,” Raitt described how a special interest news piece prompted her to write the song. “Just Like That” is the story of a mother losing a child, the power of organ donation, and the bond between the organ recipient and the donor’s family. It’s loss, grief, love, and gratitude — all in under five minutes.
MerleFest is also about remembering.
Raitt recognized the late Doc Watson in her opening and later paid homage to legendary singer-songwriter John Prine, who died in 2020.
“We all love us some John Prine, and we’re going to sing this song and send it up to the heavens,” Raitt said. “I’m so grateful for all those years we toured together and sang this song together. What a gift he will always be.”
Raitt performed Prine’s “Angel from Montgomery,” sharing the stage with female folk trio I’m With Her.
Gov. Josh Stein made a special appearance Saturday night before welcoming North Carolina’s homegrown band the Avett Brothers to the stage. Stein thanked brothers Scott and Seth Avett for doing their part to help raise awareness about the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene across western North Carolina.
In late October, the Avett Brothers, along with other artists, played Concert for the Carolinas, which raised over $24 million for hurricane relief efforts. The state is facing $60 billion in damages from Helene, making it the costliest storm to hit North Carolina.
Stein went on to talk about what makes MerleFest unique, pointing out how it teaches about the rich history and music culture of the Appalachian region.
“MerleFest is special to so many people, including my family and me,” Stein said. “It was great to enjoy the weekend with so many North Carolina music fans, and I appreciate the hardworking people who make it all happen year after year.”
Stein’s family has attended MerleFest since the early ’90s.
The Resonant Rogues made their MerleFest debut this year. The band describes their sound as “Appalachian old-time, classic country, and vintage soul” all wrapped into one album.
Front member Sparrow has played music her whole life. Her musical interests started from a young age, and although her family wasn’t especially musical, they encouraged and supported Sparrow in pursuing her passion.
“I feel like that’s one of the best things that parents and grandparents can do,” Sparrow said.
The Resonant Rogues made western North Carolina home after years of what Sparrow calls an unconventional path. Both Sparrow and her husband, Keith Josiah Smith, traveled extensively throughout the country, riding freight trains and hitchhiking around. Sparrow even joined a circus troupe at one point.
But it was western North Carolina — and its music community — that really caught Sparrow. She credits Isothermal Community College’s WNCW with playing a formative part in her musical direction and decision to root in the mountains.
“I used to have a wind up radio and listened to WNCW all the time,” Sparrow said. “Especially on Sundays with [programs] like the Gospel Truth and This Old Porch.”
Now, programs like Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) are educating the next generation of traditional musicians. With chapters all over North Carolina, Madison County’s JAM is for students aged 5-17 in the county and surrounding areas. The program offers lessons in fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, junior and senior stringband, ballad singing, shape note singing, and dance.
“It’s an afterschool program that teaches traditional music and gives kids the socialization that’s involved in music — something you can’t get from private lessons,” Sparrow said.
Sparrow places high importance on belonging and socialization. When asked about the power of music, Sparrow said it creates a third space, something that is crucial to culture and community.
“We get in our car and we go to work and we come home, and it’s all very isolating,” Sparrow said. “Music, for me, is one of the most important things that bring people together outside of their houses.”
Presley Barker is another MerleFest artist with roots tied to traditional Appalachian music. A resident of Traphill and an alum of Wilkes Community College, Barker is a fan favorite on the college grounds at just 20 years old.
Barker started playing MerleFest stages around seven, calling it a great introduction for young musicians starting out in the traditional music arena.
While Barker grew up singing in church, it was Doc and Merle that inspired him to pick up a guitar.
“Doc and Merle were really the first of their kind,” Barker said. “They revolutionized our kind of music.”
Their influence goes beyond the region and state, reaching the far edges of the country and even world, he said.
With a deep love for classic country, Barker has a vision for bringing that type of music back to the mainstream, with sounds like Keith Whitley, George Straight, George Jones, and Conway Twitty.
“I want to be somebody that stays true to their roots,” Barker said. “But I also want to put a fresh spin on the classic acts.”
As for his talents, Barker is humble. But the crowd won’t hesitate to tell you about his abilities and charisma.
Barker has strong opinions about making connections and the power of music, calling music a way for people to feel and express emotion.
“I think that’s what God created music for,” Barker said.
The human mind is so complex, he added, and it’s a gift to be able to take an emotion about life, turn it into a song, and create a wavelength for people to connect.
“I think that’s at the heart of all music,” Barker said.
Barker will graduate next month from UNC Charlotte with a degree in political science and criminal justice but plans to pursue music full time.
Every year, I ask attendees and artists why they choose MerleFest. And each year I receive similar answers. It’s the music, the people, and the connections that make for repeat festival-goers.
Music really does bring people together, crossing generations and genres and creating a rich community of shared experiences.
PHOTOS: MerleFest’s performances and scenes from Friday at Wilkes Community College
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