Wilkesboro, NC — MerleFest, presented by Lowe’s, has come to a close for another year. Early estimates show that, from its start on Thursday, April 25, to its close on Sunday, April 28, aggregate participation over the festival’s four days exceeded 76,000 participants, staying level with last year’s numbers. MerleFest, held on the campus of Wilkes Community College, has become the primary fundraiser for the WCC Endowment Corporation, funding scholarships, capital projects and other educational needs.

Source: Cybergrass - http://www.cybergrass.com/node/2507

Della Mae plays their original ‘Turtle Dove’ off their new album This World Oft Can Be out May 28th.

Pre-order on Amazon here: http://amzn.to/ZnLYJw

Della Mae is:

Celia Woodsmith – Vocals, guitar

Courtney Hartman – Guitar, vocals

Shelby Means – Bass, vocals

Jenni Lyn Gardner – Mandolin, vocals

Kimber Ludiker – Fiddle, vocals

Get more info on tour dates, music, and all things DM: http://www.dellamae.com/

Check out other Backyard Bluegrass Sessions here: http://bluegrassnation.org/link_type/bluegrass-nations-backyard-bluegrass-sessions/

By Dave Paulson – “The inaugural concert — headlined by Middle Tennessee stars Alison Krauss and Jerry Douglas — will serve as a fundraiser for the association as well as a preview for 2014, when the festival plans to expand to an all-day event for an audience of 5,000 to 7,000, with multiple venues within The Factory and an outdoor main stage.”

Read the rest of the article here: http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2013/04/21/new-music-festival-will-celebrate-americana/

Source: The Tennessean - http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2013/04/21/new-music-festival-will-celebrate-americana/

“Poor Mary Johnson” by Kayla Hotte

Kayla Hotte is a singer-songwriter from Canada and is the leader of Kayla Hotte & Her Rodeo Pals. She is an IBMA International Member and member of the Leadership Bluegrass Class of 2013.