MerleFest kicks off April 23
Annual festival offers music contests

It’s sooner than you think.

The High Country’s premier music festival, MerleFest, is just around the corner, kicking off at Wilkes Community College April 23-26.

MerleFest, celebrating its 22nd year in 2009, is a four-day event that honors the memory of instrumental virtuoso Eddy Merle Watson, the late son of bluegrass legend Doc Watson, and the contributions of the entire Watson Family to the musical traditions of the region and nation.

MerleFest began in 1988 as a fundraiser for the college, and remains the largest fundraiser for the institution. Its estimated regional impact, however, weighs in at $14,775,853.

This year’s eclectic lineup at MerleFest features more than 95 performers, including Linda Rondstadt, Emmylou Harris, Sam Bush, Travis Tritt, Jerry Douglas, Tift Merritt, Blue Highway, The Waybacks, The Carolina Chocolate Drops, John Cowan, Great Big Sea, Jim Lauderdale,

Tony Rice, Peter Rowan, The Greencards, Dailey & Vincent, Ollabelle, The Del McCoury Band, the SteelDrivers, BeauSoleil Avec Michael Doucet, and of course, Doc Watson.  The complete lineup, along with ticket information, is available at www.merlefest.org. 

Many participating artists are returning for another go on the festival stages, and organizers anticipate festival goers will, as well, through a series of contests.

MerleFest will once again host the MerleFest Mandolin Contest, the Merle Watson Bluegrass Banjo Championship and the Doc Watson Guitar Championship on the first two days of the festival in Alumni Hall on the community college campus. 

These popular contests offer aspiring pickers some time in the spotlight to be heard by the wildly appreciative audiences at the festival, along with a chance to compete for an impressive array of prizes. 

The contests are open to paid MerleFest ticket holders, and there is no registration fee. Previous champions of the contest and advertised, paid performers for MerleFest 2009 are not eligible. 

Interested participants will register and receive a number at Alumni Hall at the appointed times listed below. Twenty registrants will be randomly selected to join each contest, along with the second and third place winners of that contest from last year. Contestants must follow this procedure and cannot recruit a friend to hold their place in line or register for them. The order of appearance will be determined by drawing numbers one half-hour before each contest begins. Contestants are judged on arrangement, execution and tuning, spirit, and overall impression.

The MerleFest Mandolin Contest will take place on Thursday, April 23. Interested participants should make their way to Alumni Hall between 3 and 4 p.m. to register and receive a number. The contest begins at 4:30 p.m. 

This year’s prizes are:

Grand Prize - Gibson F-9 F-Style mandolin, valued at $3,350; Second Place Prize - Gibson Flatiron “Festival” F-Style mandolin, valued at $1,350;Third Place Prize - Calton mandolin case, valued at $735.

During the first round, each contestant will play two instrumental numbers.  For the final round, each finalist will play two numbers – one instrumental of their choice, and a standard vocal number assigned by random drawing. During the standard vocal number, the festival will provide a singer/guitarist, while the contestant accompanies and performs solos and back-up to the singer/guitarist. Medleys are not permitted. A single accompanist is permitted though not required, and accompanists are not permitted a solo performance.  For additional rules, regulations and details, visit www.merlefest.org.

The Merle Watson Bluegrass Banjo Championship will take place on Friday, April 24.  Interested participants should make their way to Alumni Hall between 9 and 10 a.m. to register and receive a number. The contest begins at 10:30 a.m.

This year’s prizes are: Grand Prize - Deering “Terry Baucom” Edition banjo, valued at $4,600, and one set of John Pearse strings; Second Place Prize - Gibson RB-250 banjo, valued at $3,300, and one set of John Pearse strings; Third Place Prize - Calton banjo case, valued at $785, and one set of John Pearse strings.

During the first round, each contestant will play two instrumental numbers. For the final round, each finalist will play two numbers – one instrumental of their choice, and a standard vocal number assigned by random drawing. During the standard vocal number, the festival will provide a singer/guitarist while the contestant accompanies and performs solos and back-up to the singer/guitarist. Medleys are not permitted. A single accompanist is permitted though not required, and accompanists are not permitted a solo performance.  For additional rules, regulations and details, visit www.merlefest.org.

The Doc Watson Guitar Championship will take place on Friday, April 24. Interested participants should make their way to Alumni Hall between 2 and 3 p.m. to register and receive a number. The contest begins at 3:30 p.m.

This year’s prizes are: Grand Prize - Gallagher guitar and case, valued at $3,200, one set of John Pearse strings and $300 cash; Second Place Prize - Taylor 310 guitar, full featured with cutaway and electronics and valued at $2,000, one set of John Pearse strings and $200 cash; Third Place Prize - Calton guitar case, valued at $895, one set of John Pearse strings and $50 cash.

During the first round, each contestant will play two instrumental numbers.  For the final round, each finalist will play two additional numbers. If there are nine or fewer registered contestants, each will play three tunes, and judges will place winners without an additional tune. Medleys are not permitted. A single accompanist is permitted though not required, and accompanists are not permitted a solo performance.  For additional rules, regulations and details, visit www.merlefest.org.

For ticket information and prices, call 1-800-343-7857, email merlefest@wilkescc.edu or visit www.merlefest.org.