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Americana Concerts and Performances 
There are many great websites featuring live performances by Americana artists. We try to keep track of some of these sites for your convenience.  Check out the Concert Page for links to free online concerts featuring Americana artists. 

 

Merlefest 2008 April 24-27 Annual Americana festival celebrates 21 years of folk, bluegrass and related American roots music.  Rain hampers weekend events, but doesn't dampen spirit of attendees.

Over 76,000 attendees enjoyed the music and festivities of the 21st annual MerleFest music festival located in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The festival celebrates the memory of the late Merle Watson and is widely regarded as one of the premier Americana music festivals in the United States.

The 2008 incarnation of MerleFest lived up to its well-earned reputation as a showcase for bluegrass, folk, blues, gospel and alternative country artists.  Despite a few weekend rain showers which delayed some of the festivities, most of the attendees took it all in stride and enjoyed the wide variety of musical artists spread out among 14 separate stages. 

Highlights from this year's festival included:

The Carolina Chocolate Drops' reinvention of old-time string music.

Australian folk-rock group The Waifs performing several songs from their newest CD on the Watson Stage.

Tift Merritt's red-hot set on the Creekside Stage on Saturday morning.

Emerging Americana/alt-rockers The Avett Brothers headlining Friday night's line-up on the Watson Stage. 

The Waybacks' re-creation of "Led Zeppelin 2" in its entirely with the help of John Cowan and a host of other performers.

Bruce Hornsby and Ricky Scaggs' Saturday night set featuring songs culled from both artists' extensive catalog.

Levon Helm's MerleFest version of the Midnight Ramble (which ended well after midnight).

Check out MvyRadio's MerleFest 2008 Page for an extensive selection of performances from this year's festival.

    

Jim Lauderdale and The Infamous Stringdusters on the Cabin Stage		The Waifs performing  on the Watson Stage
Ralph Stanley takes the Watson Stage		Jorma Kaukonen performs "Death Don't Have No Mercy"

(May 11, 2008)