Jerry Douglas Band at MerleFest 2018 on the Watson Stage - photo by Alisa B. Cherry It’s little wonder that MerleFest bills itself as a family-friendly event. The reasons are obvious given the multi-generational mix that runs the gamut from youngsters
Friday afternoon at MerleFest, the finals were held for the 2018 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest. Finalists had been announced earlier this month, chosen from among the hundreds of submissions received during the eligibility period. Yesterday the writers performed their songs before
The finalists for the 2018 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest have been announced this morning. Sponsored and run by MerleFest, this competition has become the crown jewel for aspiring writers, both for the generous cash prizes awarded to the winners, and
Jam Band Reunion at MerleFest 2017 - photo by William Sparklin Johnny Warren, Mark Schatz, Béla Fleck, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, and Bryan Sutton With a reputation as an event with a wide array of stylistic offerings, don't forget that bluegrass is
Linda Stokley performs her winning bluegrass song at MerleFest 2017 - photo by Ryan Case This past weekend at MerleFest, the winners were announced in the 2017 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest. Finalists had been announced a few weeks ago, and placement
MerleFest has announced the finalists for their 2017 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest. Each year hundreds of eager writers submit songs to be considered for this prestigious competition. First round judges then have the unenviable task of selecting three finalists in each
There’s still time for songwriters to enter two major contests that honor bluegrass compositions. January 5 is the entry deadline for the DC Bluegrass Union’s Hazel Dickens Song Contest. The contest, in its third year, is strictly for bluegrass (including bluegrass
That's right, folks. If there's a chill in the air, that means it's time to sharpen those pencils and get your submissions ready for the big songwriting contests. The two competitions that hold sway with bluegrass writers are accepting entries
We heard this morning from R. B. Powell,from Lewistown, PA, a banjo picker and promoter of scholarships for young musicians. He shared this video he had shot of Ralph Stanley during MerleFest 2014 at the Creekside Stage as part of the
Leaders of IBMA and the city of Raleigh can breathe a little easier now that another year of MerleFest is in the books. The annual four-day roots music extravaganza in Wilkesboro, NC, was the first major music festival held in the