MerleFest 2009 announces lineup of Emmylou Harris, Travis Tritt, more

Emmylou Harris, Travis Tritt and Jerry Douglas, BeauSoleil, Great Big Sea, Donna the Buffalo and Rory Block are among the 90-plus artists confirmed to appear at MerleFest 2009 on April 23-26 at Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, NC.

Now in its 22nd year and hosted by Doc Watson, the Americana music festival honors Watson’s late son, instrumentalist Eddy Merle Watson. Tickets went on sale November 11 with a variety of ticket prices available on its Web site, ranging from $2,500 for a four-day platinum patron package, to $225 for a four-day reserved seating, to $35 for single day tickets.

The genre-crossing mix of music will be stretched across the festival’s 14 stages, featuring bluegrass, folk, blues, contemporary acoustic, jazz and Cajun performances throughout the event.

“MerleFest is known for surprises and special moments," said Festival Director Ted Hagaman in a statement. "We still have a couple of things in the works so we encourage MerleFest fans to keep checking our Web site for updates to our talent lineup."