Doc Watson has been gone for more than a decade, and yet his music and legacy remain more alive and relevant than ever. And thanks to the ongoing MerleFest, which brings a wide-ranging cast from the Americana world to Doc’s North Carolina stomping grounds every April, that’s not going to change anytime soon. We consider the enduring impact of Doc through conversations with some of those who bear his stamp, including Gillian Welch and Jerry Douglas, in this special episode of Carolina Calling.
Subscribe to Carolina Calling on any and all podcast platforms to follow along as we journey across the Old North State, visiting towns like Durham, Asheville, Shelby, Greensboro, and more.
Music featured in this episode:
Doc Watson – “Sittin’ on Top of the World” Doc & Merle Watson – “Jimmy’s Texas Blues” Gillian Welch – “Everything Is Free” Andrew Marlin – “Erie Fidler” Doc Watson – “Tom Dooley” Doc & Merle Watson – “Sheeps In The Meadow / Stoney Fork” Doc & Merle Watson – “Poor Boy Blues” Doc Watson – “And Am I Born to Die” Doc Watson – “My Home’s Across the Blue Ridge Mountains” Jerry Douglas – “A New Day Medley” Doc Watson – “The Last Thing On My Mind”
MerleFest 2019 is officially in the books. The quintessential bluegrass, roots, and Americana festival — named for Doc Watson’s son, Merle — drew more than 75,000 attendees from around the world to the grounds of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The four-day event celebrated NC’s “Year of Music” with over 100 bands from all across the state, the country, and the world.
On Saturday night, BGS once again presented the ever-popular Late Night Jam, hosted by Chatham County Line, which featured performances from many of MerleFest’s stellar acts including Ellis Dyson, Jim Avett, Scythian, Molly Tuttle, Shane Hennessy, Donna the Buffalo, Jontavious Willis, Jim Lauderdale, Catfish Keith, Presley Barker, Ana Egge, the Brother Brothers, Steve Poltz, and many more friends and special guests.
Check out MerleFest 2019 in photographs and make plans to join us next year!
Del McCoury Band takes the Hillside Stage
Photo by Michael Freas
Amos Lee
Photo by Willa Stein
Singer/songwriter Ana Egge
Photo by Devin Ulery
Andrew Millsaps performs as part of the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest
Photo by Ryan Case
The Avett Brothers sing it out
Photo by Michael Freas
An absolutely jam-packed Hillside Stage for the ever-popular Album Hour - Led Zeppelin IV.
Photo by Gordon Burns
Elizabeth Cook
Photo by Jeff Clements
Brandi Carlile greets the Saturday night crowd
Photo by Michael Freas
Dailey & Vincent
Photo by Jim Gavenus
Eric Gibson of the Gibson Brothers
Photo by Michael Freas
The rowdy and rollicking dance tent
Photo by Suzie Guerrant
A breezy Jim Lauderdale
Photo by Michael Freas
Chatham County Line, our Late Night Jam hosts, kicking off the evening.
Photo by Michael Freas
In a perfectly MerleFest moment, Brandi Carlile and the Avett Brothers altogether
Photo by Willa Stein
Clogging feet are happy feet
Photo by Michael Freas
It's Keb' Mo' on the Watson Stage
Photo by Ryan Case
Jontavious Willis leads a blues jam at the BGS-presented Late Night Jam
Photo by Michael Freas
Molly Tuttle on the mainstage
Photo by Jeff Clements
A whole slew of fiddles
Photo by Randall Dameron
Crowd-favorite Scythian brought their signature energy and drive, as always
Photo by Jim Gavenus
Brandi Carlile
Photo by Michael Freas
Two extraordinary guitarists, Presley Barker and Molly Tuttle, swapped licks at the Late Night Jam
Photo by Michael Freas
Sam Bush Band
Photo by Michael Freas
The furry, friendly MerleFest mascot, Flattop
Photo by Michael Freas
Members of Scythian are joined by Shane Hennessy and others at the Late Night Jam
Photo by Michael Freas
Michaela Anne
Photo by Misty Case
Peter Rowan in his element
Photo by Misty Case
Scott Avett gettin' down
Photo by Willa Stein
Jim Lauderdale, Chatham County Line, and the Brother Brothers collab during the Late Night Jam
Photo by Willa Stein
The heritage crafts tent showcased expert artisans, their trades, and their wares
Photo by Suzie Guerrant
Steve Poltz being Steve Poltz
Photo by Devin Ulery
Tara Nevins of Donna the Buffalo
Photo by Bob Alexander
Tyler Childers
Photo by Michael Freas
Wynonna Judd with her band, the Big Noise
Photo by Randall Dameron
North Carolina staples, the Steep Canyon Rangers
Photo by Gordon Burns
Lede photo: Michael Freas
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