This week we hear the stories of Betse Ellis and Clarke Wyatt, who came from the worlds of classical, rock
Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson (1923-2012) was a North Carolina mountain musician who made a global impact, playing fully traditional music, rockabilly, blues, jazz and other styles with grace and warmth
We conclude our two-part Blue Ridge Music Trails feature on women in old-time music with more of Alice Gerrard’s presentation at the Earle Theater in Mount Airy, NC – and more great music.
This week, we feature some classic Blue Ridge old time fiddle tunes and songs, from fiddlers Kyle Creed, Fred Cockerham, Tim Smith, and Tommy Jarrell. That’s just the start. In the center segment
The Mountains of Music Homecoming is just around the bend. The movable feast of roots music takes place in communities around southwestern Virginia June 9-17.
A festival that started small at Wilkes Community College in North Carolina has become one of the most enthusiastically supported roots music events in the U.S. Merlefest began in 1988 as an event
This week we hear from a varied group of piedmont and mountain south artists for a joyful, invigorating hour of listening. Bluesman John Jackson provides a serene rag he composed. Our music also
MerleFest is an annual "traditional plus" music festival held in Wilkesboro, North Carolina on the campus of Wilkes Community College.
Over the years, MerleFest has become an annual homecoming for both music fans and the artists who perform there. Two of the musicians who return every year and who knew the Watsons well spoke with WFDD’s David Ford about Doc, Merle, and the festival that bears his name.
iTunes Podcast