merlefest 2010

Subject: RE: merlefest 2010
From: GUEST,oldtimer
Date: 19 Apr 10 - 03:05 PM

Where is the Holiday Inn in relation to the MF site .How many miles ?
Oldtimer

Subject: RE: merlefest 2010
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Apr 10 - 09:48 AM

i forgot to mention email addy for the holiday inn room: [e-mail]

Subject: RE: merlefest 2010
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Apr 10 - 09:45 AM

we have a room at the holiday inn that we are trying to sell. 4 nights (wed-sun or thurs-mon).

Subject: RE: merlefest 2010
From: GUEST,oldtimer
Date: 18 Apr 10 - 03:35 PM

Hey Bettynh , Barbara & Furtanito,
I can see where Bettys concerns are coming from.I have served a long & frequently insommniacted apprentship to rowdy & debauched camp sites,all over Europe ,& elsewhere,Fleadh Cheoil Na Heireann ( R O I )must be the indoor & outdoor International champions of intoxifcation & debauched campsite & streetside jollification.No such discomforts exist at MerleFest in my experience.I have no doubt but you & your son will be in the right place for mutual music fullfilment & in my fifty years of experience , its as near as I have ever gotten to " Heavens Gate " & I wish to you & your son that youll feel likewise on Sunday pm as you wind you weary way to home.
Gra ---OLDTIMER

Subject: RE: merlefest 2010
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 17 Apr 10 - 10:30 PM

Merlefest has a strict no-alcohol policy, and they check coolers and bags at the gate. It's a mixed crowd, family friendly, very well-behaved in fact. The festival is huge but extremely well organized and well run, with participation from many of the local civic groups and many townspeople. Don't know about parking because we stayed last time at a campground and took the convenient shuttle back and forth several times a day. Will do the same this time.

We went to the Philly Folk Fest 2 years ago and pretty much agree with your assessment from 20 years ago. All bluegrass festivals are NOT like that. Besides, Philly has a distinctly different folkie -not bluegrass- crowd, different in fact from other folkie crowds like Old Songs.

But we love 'em all, each one unique and fun in it's own way.

Subject: RE: merlefest 2010
From: Bettynh
Date: 17 Apr 10 - 01:39 PM

I've been trying to interest my son, who really enjoys Old Songs Festival and the National Storytelling Festival, in Merlefest. I'll add that I'd taken the family to the Philly festival about 20 years ago and it was like camping in the middle of a frat house - rowdy though happy, and waaaay too much booze. His impression is that all bluegrass festivals are like that - sorta like Ozzfest with banjos. I don't get that impression, but I do see that Merlefest is huge.

So, what has the crowd been like at previous Merlefests? The sheer number of stages and size of the crowds looks exhausting, but was there a variety of music? Did the logistics of the festival work? Was the crowd young, old, mixed? We'd be staying just over the border in Tenn. Would parking be available every day?

Subject: RE: merlefest 2010
From: GUEST,Sandy LaPrelle
Date: 17 Apr 10 - 12:58 PM

Suzy and Eric Thompson, organizers of the "Berkeley Old Time Music Convention" will be there this year. Talented musicians, and nice folks!

Subject: RE: merlefest 2010
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 17 Apr 10 - 11:29 AM

I'm not crazy about driving through the mountains in a camper, so we're planning to go back up I77 and down I81 to get to a campground in Bristol, TN. Then we'll rent a car and see some of the Crooked Road from there. Plus the Carter Family Fold is about 20 miles from Bristol.

Will also pass near Galax, VA, which is a trip we're hoping to make later in the summer to get to the Old Fiddlers Convention for the first time.

So much to do in this area, although it's a heckuva time to be leaving beautiful New England in the Spring!

Subject: RE: merlefest 2010
From: Fortunato
Date: 16 Apr 10 - 03:51 AM

Barbara,

We can't make it this year, but Susette and I plan to be there next year. Lots of great performers.

Oldtimer- Richard, sorry we won't be at home in Asheville that week we could have picked a few tunes. I did get in touch with Richard Hurst, thanks.

Chance

Subject: RE: merlefest 2010
From: GUEST,oldtimer
Date: 15 Apr 10 - 04:36 PM

Thanks for that info Barbara.We plan on hauling anchor on Mon a.m.-ish & headed for Asheville N.C.Friends of friends are organising an o/timey session there & Tues morn,-- onwards west ---planning to get to Nashville Tnsee on Thurs night. genuflect at the Ryman , & get our homeward flight on Saty morn.Never heard of Crooked Road & thanks for the signpost , will see if we can fit it in. What is your route to Virginia from W!sboro?
You take good care now ---ok, will look out for the Hurricane , what is it ? Is it a bird , is it a plane ?
Oldtimer

Subject: RE: merlefest 2010
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 14 Apr 10 - 09:38 AM

We're planning on some picking at our campsite, if you folks would like to come over to the Rotary campground after the stage show. Look for the "Hurricane." Our plan is to explore a bit of the Crooked Road the following week.

Subject: RE: merlefest 2010
From: GUEST,OLD TIMER
Date: 14 Apr 10 - 06:42 AM

Yep sure thing, & staying around NC for a few session during the week to follow.
See   http://www.bluegrassireland.blogspot.com/ for details of our Irish delegation----scroll down 3 or 4 recent items.Sorry I cant blue clicky , so you will have to copy & paste insttead Yes Barbara its undoubtedly one of the best run & highest quality music festivals on this planet. I was there in 2008 & am still dining on it .The countdown has now really started.
Enjoy yourself , ---no doubt !
Oldtimer , Ireland

Subject: Merlefest 2010 April 29 thru May 2
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 09:48 PM

Anyone going? Incredible lineup. We last went in 2006.

Merlefest

THURSDAY

Balsam Range
The Belleville Outfit
The Duhks
Rhonda Vincent and The Rage
Taj Mahal
Zac Brown Band

FRIDAY

Missy Raines and the New Hip
Brave Combo
Nation Beat
Donna The Buffalo
The Waybacks
Dailey and Vincent
Dierks Bentley featuring The Travelin' McCourys
Sam Bush
Little Feat

SATURDAY

Cadillac Sky
Great Big Sea
The John Cowan Band
The Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band
The Tony Rice Unit
Docabilly with Doc Watson, Richard Watson, Sam Bush,
T. Michael Coleman, Buddy Greene, Mitch Greenhill, and Jeff Little
Elvis Costello and the Sugarcanes
STEVE MARTIN performing with The Steep Canyon Rangers
An Evening of Bluegrass & Banjo

SUNDAY

Scythian
The Lee Boys and The Travelin' McCourys
W.P.A.
The Avett Brothers