 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Wilkes Journal-Patriot Blazing the trail of progress in
the State of Wilkes for over 97 years. Thousands arriving in Wilkesboro for ‘Mecca’ of Americana music; gates open Thursday
While on a year-long musical odyssey to festivals across the United States, the O’Brien family from Evergreen, Colo., arrived at Wilkes Community College early this week in an RV camper for what Dan O’Brien called “Mecca” for the Americana music he loves. “For this kin of music, the list of who is not here at MerleFest would be shorter than the list for who is here,” said O’Brien, a retired high school teacher, founder of a high school and head of a family band that plays classic country like Patsy Cline and Jimmy Rodgers songs, cowboy and western music, bluegrass, gospel and more. “I’ve listened to the music of Doc Watson (MerleFest host), for four decades. I’m originally from California and I would see him there in the 60s. Doc was the first flat picker I ever heard and I thought he was incredible. I’ve been a fan of him and his music ever since.” Added O’Brien. Dan and Janette O’Brien Homeschool their
two children, Kyle, 12, and Maura, 9, and they’re helping
them to love and play the American roots music” that O’Brien
said ebbs and flows in popularity, but never goes away. The O’Brien Family has recorded three CDs and will be featured on the Little Picker’s Stage at MerleFest. The children hope to perform with the three Peasall Sisters, known for singing “In The Highways” in “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” a movie that featured numerous MerleFest regulars. Such is the flavor of MerleFest, where the musical heritage and latest directions of a nation are displayed and savored for four days each year. The musical labels that can be thrown in to define MerleFest include bluegrass, traditional, folk, country, western, jam, blues, gospel, Cajun, Celtic and much more, including styles that defy classification. It all fits with Watauga County’s Doc Watson, who was described by The New York Times as a “living museum of American roots music. Doc has attempted to define his music simply as “traditional plus.” What is remarkable is that this annual international event, which kicks off the summer festival season and serves as a reunion for a huge family of musicians, occurs in a small northwest North Carolina town. Equally amazing is how smoothly an event of such magnitude takes place, thanks to the efforts of people at WCC and others in Wilkes and the area. Several changes were initiated this year, particularly in areas in front of the Watson Stage, to reduce overcrowding and help the crowd flow better, said Jim Barrow, director of MerleFest and WCC dean of development. Although no security officers were added this year, said Barrow, more officers will be in uniform to increase their visibility. There will be a uniformed officer at the box office. In the same spirit as the O’Brien’s who are introducing their children to Americana music first-hand. MerleFest goes to all the public schools in Wilkes and other facilities with MerleFest musicians who agree to perform at those locations the week of the event. All Wilkes students in grades one through 12 were invited to attend MerleFest at no charge on Friday but not all schools elected to participate, said Barrow. The Little Pickers area at MerleFest is especially for children, but there is more for them elsewhere at the festival. MerleFest, held as a tribute to the music of the late Merle Watson (Doc’s son), is one of the biggest acoustic festivals in the nation and is known as a very family-oriented event. Bags are checked to keep alcohol out. Merle Fest 2002 established records for participation, with attendees from 47 states, the District of Columbia, and at least 10 foreign countries raising total paid attendance to 36,714-a 2.8 percent increase over 2001. Overall festival participation, including ticketed participants, artists, school groups, volunteers, children admitted free, and community outreach,, totaled 78,294 for MerleFest 2002. MerleFest 2002 gross revenue exceeded $2.4 million. Gates open at 8 a.m. each day except Thursday, when they open at 2:30 p.m. For more details on MerleFest, call 838-6267 (locally) or 800-343-7857 (toll-free). The website address is www.merlefest.org. Those joining Doc Watson and Merle’s son, Richard Watson, for MerleFest 2003 include Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys, Emmylou Harris, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Hot Rize, Laura Love Band, Asleep at the Wheel, Leahy, Donna the Buffalo, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Red Stick Ramblers, Sam Bush Band, Peter Rowan, the Rowan Brother, Vassar Clements, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Guy Clark, Paul Geremia, Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, Tony Rice, Laurie Lewis, Tim O’Brien, Don Edwards, Del McCoury Band,. The Whites, Norman & Nancy Blake, Etta Baker, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Eustace Conway, Mountain Heart, and the Waybacks. Special performances will include Vassar’s 75th birthday jam, the Acoustic Blues Showcase, the Midnight Jam, and “Follow Me Back to the Fold: A Tribute to Women in Bluegrass.” General admission tickets will be available at the gate. Tickets for all four days are $125, while Friday through Sunday wristbands cost $110. Individual day rates are $30 for Thursday, $40 Friday, $45 Saturday, and $35 on Sunday. Local Boy Scout troops operate shuttle buses to the festival gates from a parking area on the old county airport runway off N>C> 268 West and elsewhere and back. A bus was added this year. No on-campus parking is allowed without special permits. There are camping areas near the old runway, on the Wilkesboro Wastewater Treatment Plant property and elsewhere. Children 12 and under are admitted free to general admission seating areas, if accompanied by an adult. Tickets are required for all seats in the assigned area. Funds generated by the festival enabled Wilkes Community College to contribute more than $669,000 toward scholarships salaries, program enhancements, and capital improvements. Using guidelines recommended by the College of Business at Appalachian State University, the total regional economic impact of MerleFest 2002 was estimated at $15 million, exceeding 2001 by some $2.3 million. All sponsorship at MerleFest 2003 set another record, totaling $343,000 a $30,000 increase over 2002. |
THE
O’BRIEN FAMILY BAND from Evergreen, Colo., warms up for MerleFest
outside their RV camper at Wilkes Community College Tuesday afternoon.
The band consists of Dan and Janette O’Brien and their children,
Kyle and Maura. People from around the country started arriving
in Wilkesboro for MerleFest early this week. The festival is Thursday
through Sunday at WCC.