You can get wonderful updates, stories, and so much fun stuff to keep you up to speed with the best festival in the country.  Check this out from the latest issue.

When MerleFest, presented by Lowe's and slated for April 25-28, 2013, kicks off on Thursday afternoon, it will be a bittersweet moment. The four-day event, an annual homecoming of musicians and music fans, will once again take place on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. But for the first time in its 26 years, MerleFest will take place without beloved music icon Doc Watson, who passed away on May 29, 2012.

"From the beginning, Doc Watson has been the artistic center of this festival," says Ted Hagaman, director of the festival. "So for MerleFest 2013, we will come together as a family to pay special tribute to the man and the musician who meant so much to us all."

In fact, one of the most talked-about events of the festival will surely be Saturday evening's Celebration Jam. The Jam will be hosted by Sam Bush and will feature many of Doc's closest musician friends as they tell stories and play some of Doc's favorites tunes. The Jam's core band will consist of Sam Bush (mandolin/fiddle), Jeff Little (piano), T. Michael Coleman (bass), Jack Lawrence (guitar), Bryan Sutton (guitar) and David Holt (banjo.)

That is a don't miss event, but there a lot more and you can stay on top of it all, go to www.merlefest.org and sign up for News from MerleFest.

March 11, 1969...After 25 years as a bluegrass duo, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs parted ways.

MerleFest 2013 is less than 2 months away and just like years past, I'm checking the website for schedules and the latest additions to the lineup.  But this year is going to be different, knew it was not going to be the same when I heard the news of Doc Watson's passing last year.  Doc was a wonderful host for 25 years, celebrating with all of us the memory of his son Merle.  I had the pleasure of getting to know many members of the Watson Family and enjoyed our yearly reunions with hugs and howdies.  Yes this year will be different, but it will be a great MerleFest..I am sure of that.  This will be the first time that many of the artists have had a chance to join with the other pickers and singers and remember Doc, Rosa Lee, and Merle with the music, played live in front of fans that have loved the spirit of MerleFest for a quarter of a century. 

Check back often, we'll be kicking off our MerleFest ticket giveaways real soon!!

Here is part of a press release from the folks at MerleFest.  Check it out, start getting excited if you haven't already, and get up with a friend or two and do what you do every year...count the days.

WILKESBORO, N.C. (March 5, 2013) — When MerleFest, presented by Lowe’s and slated for April 25-28, 2013, kicks off on Thursday afternoon, it will be a bittersweet moment. The four-day event, an annual homecoming of musicians and music fans, will once again take place on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. But for the first time in its 26 years, MerleFest will take place without beloved music icon Doc Watson, who passed away on May 29, 2012.

      One of the most talked-about events of the festival will surely be Saturday evening’s Celebration Jam. The Jam will be hosted by Sam Bush and will feature many of Doc’s closest musician friends as they tell stories and play some of Doc’s favorites tunes. The Jam’s core band will consist of Sam Bush (mandolin/fiddle), Jeff Little (piano), T. Michael Coleman (bass), Jack Lawrence (guitar), Bryan Sutton (guitar) and David Holt (banjo.)

 Additionally, the life and music of Doc Watson will be honored in other ways during the festival:

 A special section in the MerleFest program (20,000 copies to be given free) will pay tribute to Doc, with quotes and remembrances from fellow artists and friends;

• Video vignettes throughout the festival of Doc, which will include videos of him performing, talking about his family, telling stories, etc.; 
• Throughout the weekend, artists will be reminiscing about Doc and the impact he had on them;
• A new display will be introduced in Lowe’s Hall with a bust of Doc and memorabilia of his life and career; and
• A student emergency fund in Doc Watson’s honor will be announced at Wilkes Community College. This fund will be used for student emergency needs, to allow students to continue their education.

 Tickets for MerleFest 2013 can be purchased at www.merlefest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857. An early bird ticket discount is available through March 10, 2013. Additional details about this year’s festival lineup and other MerleFest information can also be found at the website.

Grammy Award winner, Bobby Hicks, the award winning Roger Howell, Jake & Sarah Owen and The Sons of Ralph, featuring Ralph Lewis.  “This year will be a family reunion of sorts,” remarked Laura Boosinger, Executive Director of The Madison County Arts Council.  Arvil Freeman will be featuring two of his former students, Bryan McDowell and his sister Emma McDowell Best.  Emma and her husband musician, Jared Best, have been stationed in New York where he serves in the Army.  Jared is being deployed and Emma has come back home to her mountains, her family and her music.  Emma and Bryan both began studying with Arvil when they were children.  Bryan, 21, is now touring with bluegrass musician, Claire Lynch.  Emma and Bryan will join Arvil on triple fiddles and add a little mandolin, hot flatpicking and sweet singing to the musical stew. 

Two shows will commence, one at 4:00 and the next at 8:00 pm at The Madison County Arts Center, 90 South Main Street, Marshall, NC.

Tickets are available by calling (828) 649-1301

or on-line at  www.madisoncountyarts.com.

A new box-set of music is going to be a must have for every Doc Watson fan.  "Milestones" A Doc Watson Family Project is a multi-disc release of 92 never before heard recordings from the Watson family archive. Compiled and organized by Doc and Rosalee's daughter, Nancy Watson.

For more information, and to hear samples, go to http://docwatsonmilestones.com.

MerleFest encouraging attendees to take an active role in this year's festival.  There's the big annual events like the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest (deadline 2/19/13), The Merle Watson Bluegrass Banjo Contest, The Doc Watson Guitar Contest, The Youth Showcases, Songwriter Showcase, Jam Camp, and so much more.  Get all the info at their website www.merlefest.org  MerleFest 2013 presented by Lowe's April 25-28 on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro.

Emcees will have to lengthen their introduction of the Asheville, NC based Steep Canyon Rangers, adding Grammy winning to the already impressive list of accolades. Sunday night in Los Angeles, the Rangers won the Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album for their Rounder recording, Nobody Knows You.  The competition was strong from Dailey & Vincent, The Grascals, Noam Pikelny, and Special Consensus.