BGS and MerleFest are so excited to once again partner to bring you exclusive clips and sessions captured on site during the incredible 2026 MerleFest event in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. We launched our off-season collaboration with the long-running bluegrass and roots music festival by sharing performances from the MerleFest Late Night Jam with the Grand Ole Opry, featuring Old Crow Medicine Show and Maggie Rose.
For our second installment in the series, we stepped away from the rowdy and raucous Late Night Jam for a more traditional session and a wonderful set from none other than Charles Wesley Godwin. After that, Willie Watson delivered a blend of songs, stories, and personal memories in a thoughtful solo performance. We were also treated to an invigorating set from and up-and-coming East Kentucky band, The Creekers.
In this latest clip, we meet The Band Loula, whose original songs have a Southern feel. Some might even call it Southern gothic. The bandmates Malachi Mills and Logan Simmons offer a tender song about their grandmothers titled “Mother’s Mother.” The lyrics bring to mind a snapshot of North Georgia, where both singers grew up. There’s a little more swagger in “Low,” while they get downright murderous in “Marshall County Man.” They wrote the latter song with Gary Nichols, a former member of the SteelDrivers who’s now lending his talent as a producer and guitarist to shape the band’s blend of country, folk, and Americana music.
Although Malachi Mills and Logan Simmons are not a married couple, they have been best friends since they were teenagers. Listening to them sing, an easy familiarity is immediately evident in their harmonies. Two voices, one instrument, and an obvious abundance of emotion. It all adds up to an impressive debut at Merlefest.
Video Credits: I Know We Should, Brad Wagner and Juan Soria.
This content brought to you in partnership with MerleFest. Experience music and more at MerleFest.org.
