mvyradio @ MerleFest 2007
mvyradio is On The Road for the Merlefest 2007 presented by Lowe’s and this year’s coverage is bigger and better than ever.
Listen to www.mvyradio.com all weekend long, as we bring music from the Festival to the airwaves. Thursday through Sunday, we’ll air highlights from Merlefest throughout the daily broadcast. Sunday night at 10pm, join PJ for The Hot Seat, as he wraps up the weekend, with a Best Of show.
This year, we've added a new, exciting component to our broadcast.
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For years, the Wilkes Community College campus station, WSIF-FM, has carried a feed from the various stages and, this year, mvyradio is helping stream WSIF. Go to www.RadioFreeMerlefest.org and you’ll be able to hear various performances, live, all weekend long.
And if you missed a performance, make sure you visit right here. At the bottom of this page, we’ll post full sets from dozens of artists, pulled from multiple stages. We’ll be updating the page all weekend long, so keep checking for new posts.
Before and after the Festival, you can hear music from Merlefest 2007 performers at www.mymvy.com, our customizable channel that allows you to choose artists, skip songs, and make a Merlefest Channel to suit your taste.
And throughout the Festival, PJ Finn will be keeping a journal, right here on this page, and we’ll be posting tons of pictures too.
For more information on Merlefest, go to www.Merlefest.org or call 800-343-7857.
Audio / Video:
Attention Mac users! The "Flip4Mac" player streams these on-demand files. More help is here. 
The Belleville Outfit
- Performance 1, MerleFest 2007 
- Performance 2, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Brad Miller, Dave Woodward, Don King
- Chris Austin Songwriting Contest Country Category Winners
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Bryan Sutton & Chris Eldridge (of The Infamous Stringdusters)
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Carolina Chocolate Drops
- Performance 1, MerleFest 2007
- Performance 2, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Casey Driessen
- Interview, MerleFest 2007
Cherryholmes
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Crooked Still
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Darrell Scott
- Performance 1, MerleFest 2007
- Performance 2, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Del McCoury Band
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Dirk Powell Band
- Performance 1, MerleFest 2007
- Performance 2, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Dixie Dawn
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Doc Watson
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
- Extra: encore performance of "My Friend Merle"
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Doc Watson and Friends
- Extra: performance of "Tribute to Merle"
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Doc Watson and the Frosty Morn Band
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Doc Watson and The Nashville Bluegrass Band
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Donna Hughes
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Donna The Buffalo
- Performance 1, MerleFest 2007
- Performance 2, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Donna the Buffalo featuring Jim Lauderdale
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Doyle Lawson
- Performance 1, MerleFest 2007
- Performance 2, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
The Duhks
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Flexigrass
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
The Flowers Family
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
George Hamilton IV
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Gospel Jubilators
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Graham Sharp of Steep Canyon Rangers
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
The Infamous Stringdusters
- Performance 1, MerleFest 2007
- Performance 2, MerleFest 2007
- Performance 3, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Jeanette Williams
- Chris Austin Songwriting Contest Bluegrass Category Winner
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Jim Lauderdale
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Jim Lauderdale and The Stringdusters
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
John Cowan
- Performance 1, MerleFest 2007
- Performance 2, MerleFest 2007
- Performance 2, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Korby Lenker
- Chris Austin Songwriting Contest Gospel Category Winner
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
The Laws
- Chris Austin Songwriting Contest General Category Winner
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Lonesome Sisters
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Lovell Sisters
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Martha Bassett and Lance Doss on Radio Free MerleFest
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Martha Scanlan
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
MerleFest 20th Anniversary Jam
- Performance, John Cowan featuring Pat Flynn, Tut Taylor, Uncle Earl, Toubab Krewe, The Lovell Sisters, Buddy Greene, Pete Wernick, Tara Nevins, John McEuen, and others, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
MerleFest Anything Goes Pickin' Tent
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
MerleFest Backstage
- Video Tour, MerleFest 2007 
MerleFest Bluegrass Pickin' Tent
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
MerleFest Day 1
- Video Tour, MerleFest 2007
MerleFest Day 2
- Video Tour, MerleFest 2007
MerleFest Traditional Pickin Tent
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
MerleFest Blues Showcase
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
MerleFest Chris Austin Songwriting Contest
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
MerleFest Chris Austin Songwriting Contest - All Winners
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
MerleFest Mandolin Contest Winners
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
MerleFest Open Mic with Jenny Lester
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
MerleFest Open Mic with Mark Brinkman
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Mitch Greenhill
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
The Nashville Bluegrass Band
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
New Generation Super Jam, featuring The Duhks, The Infamous Stringdusters, Crooked Still, and Uncle Earl
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Pam Tillis
- Performance 1, MerleFest 2007
- Performance 2, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Pat Flynn
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Pat Flynn and Friends
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Pat Flynn Guitar Workshop
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Paul Geremia
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Peter Rowan
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Pete Wernick's Jam Camp
- Performance, joined by Joan Wernick, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Robert Kirk at WSIF
- Video Tour, MerleFest 2007
Robinella
- Performance 1, MerleFest 2007
- Performance 2, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Ronnie King
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Roy Bookbinder
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
- Performance between sets, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Ruthie Foster
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Spencer Bohren
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Steep Canyon Rangers
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Tanya Elizabeth (of The Duhks) and Warren Hood
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Tara Nevins
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Toubab Krewe
- Performance 1, MerleFest 2007
- Performance 2, MerleFest 2007
- Performance, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
- Interview, MerleFest 2007
Uncle Earl
- Performance 1, MerleFest 2007
- Performance 2, MerleFest 2007
The Waybacks
- Performance 1, MerleFest 2007
- Performance 2, MerleFest 2007
- Performance 2, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Willie Earl
- Performance 1, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
WSIF Tour
- Video Tour, MerleFest 2007
Worthless Son In Laws
- Performance 1, MerleFest 2007
- Performance 2, MerleFest 2007
Mixed by: Robert Kirk, Treehouse Sound
Sound by: Cliff Miller, SE Systems
Videos:
Day 1 - mvyradio On The Road - PJ Finn gives a tour of the MerleFest stomping grounds.
Day 2 - PJ Finn takes us into MerleFest Day 2.
Day 3 - PJ gives us a tour of WSIF, the campus station.
Day 4 - Fudgicle enthusiast PJ Finn gives us a backstage sneak peek at the MerleFest Artist Getaway Tent.
Day 4 - PJ Finn introduces Robert Kirk who has been helping to provide the feeds for MerleFest 2007.
PJ's Journal:
Sunday 5pm
Things are winding down some, but not before folks got all wound up. Mini-riots of dancing and grooving were breaking out all over the place today, folks shaking out the last bit of energy they have left.
Here in the Artist Get-Away tent, band members are saying their goodbyes and see-you-laters. Many of them travel on the same circuit, and will cross paths as the summer festivals roll on. In fact we'll see a few of them at Newport this year.
Jane's off to the CD tent to find some music to compliment that fine straw cowboy hat she picked up. Lindsay and his wife have collected their folding chairs, and I've uploaded the last few performances to be featured on The Hot Seat tonight. Gary's standing by the last rolling recorder, which is capturing Pam Tillis. Buses are rolling out of the parking lot and golf carts carrying people and equipment are zig-zagging across the campus. The party is over, but what a party . . .
Sunday 2pm
I was all ready for Sunday to be quiet, noting that there were just a few gospel performances on the bill. The next thing I knew, it was 2 O'Clock. We've been running like mad to get performances recorded and posted, pictures taken and shared---while trying to squeeze in a tuna sandwich.
I was also able to squeeze in an interview with Drew and Luke from Toubab Krewe, who couldn't have been nicer. Despite their on-stage command, they seemed genuinely surprised (and excited) by the reception of the Merlefest audience, who have fully embraced their World Beat take on roots music.
Sunday is the day you do your make-ups. You make up for missing bands, by catching their Sunday set, or you revisit someone you've already heard but NEED to hear again. I'm going to find a couple of minutes and get over to the Hillside Stage for a 2-for-1. Jim Lauderdale and Donna The Buffalo are sharing the stage right now. Then I'll slide down the hill for the Carolina Chocolate Drops, one more time. That'll leave me just a little room to get back here, for Pam Tillis' big finale!
Saturday 9pm
Doc's 8pm Jam session was pretty spectacular. Just to see Doc and Earl Scruggs [website] sitting side
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Okay, now I've heard everything! Sam Bush's band, not to be outdone, is doing their own version of "Whole Lotta Love" with Byron House doing a very, very impressive Robert Plant homage. And Sam is on fiddle instead of mandolin!
Saturday 4pm
Check out my Friday 4pm post to see what a meatball I am!
That was THE John Paul Jones. The Led Zeppelin John Paul Jones!!!!!!!!! I don't have enough exclaimation points!!!!!!!
Gary wouldn't believe it, until a brought up a picture on the web of JPJ, then and now.
And now the Duhks have brought him out on stage, and they're doing "Whole Lotta Love"!!!!!!!!! The whole place is freaking out!!!
He's here, because he recently picked up the old time fiddle, and has just produced the new Uncle Earl album. I was a huge Zeppelin freak growing up, but I never would have recognized, or believed, that John Paul Jones was here. He ate dinner five feet away from where I'm typing these posts!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday 3pm
Casey Driessen stopped by the tent for a chat today. He's the go-to fiddle player, if you're ready to head into uncharted musical territory. On his own album, 3D, he explores all kinds of textures and sounds. And if you bring him in on your set, he ups the ante for everybody on stage. I'll post the interview shortly.
But no sooner was Casey out of his chair, then did Jane grab the recorder and go all Alan Lomax on us. She's out in the field, headed to the pickin' tents, where concert goers are putting on their own shows, with a constant stream of players cycle in and out. We'll post some of that audio too.
Saturday noon
For the first time ever, WSIF is going worldwide. The campus radio
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Lindsay Reid gave me some inside scoop---The Duhks have a new lead singer! Jessee Havey left the group earlier this year, and Duhks friend Sarah Dugas is filling in. I'm very curious and excited to hear her, and I'm about to get the chance. Leonard from the band is leading The New Generation Super Jam on the Watson stage. It's a pig-pile of stellar young talent, including The Infamous Stringdusters, Crooked Still [website][performance] and Uncle Earl.
Friday 10pm
I wouldn't be surprised if the campus were levitating with excitement right now.
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Sounds like a hard act to follow? The Carolina Chocolate Drops [website][performance] weren't intimidated. They just converted about 30,000 folks into fans. They really need to be seen to be fully grasped---the energy, the charisma, the style and the sound. They were just incredible. The oldest of old-timey sounds, played with such exuberance.
I almost forgot there are headliners left. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is on next. And judging from the emails world-wide listeners are sending (and from that guy in the audience who was yelling "Dirt Band!" all through Elvis' set), folks are more than psyched for this one.
Friday 6pm
The real Allstars have arrived. We just watched a joyous set featuring the best of the best, doing what they love. Sam Bush [website], Jerry Douglas [website], Byron House, Stuart Duncan, Bryan Sutton [website], and Tony Rice [website]. They've probably played hundreds of sets together in their lifetime, but they were just like kids, playing their hearts out and smiling their heads off.
Elvis has arrived. He's just milling about in the backstage parking lot, happily giving autographs to and taking pictures with anybody who asks. He's wearing a black western shirt and baggie jeans, and if he weren't ELVIS COSTELLO [website], you'd easily mistake him for another of the many pickers at Merlefest. He's being backed tonight by some of the Allstars mentioned above. It's going to be super interesting to see what material he pulls out, and reworks for Americana instrumentation.
Friday 2pm
Rayna from Uncle Earl was just telling us how it was a bit intimidating to have the TV
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Friday 11am
"It's like a strong cup of coffee in a weird parking lot."
That's how Jeb Puryear of Donna The Buffalo described being on stage at 11am to kick off day two. It IS a kick to see folks already dancing up a storm at the side of the stage.
I walked the grounds with Jane Loutzenheiser, weekend DJ at mvy, who's here for her first Merlefest. Passing by the Americana stage, I heard The Worthless Son-In-Laws [website][performance] take on Gram Parsons' "Return Of The Grievous Angel." The Americana Stage has the theme of "New Directions" all day today, and we're going to record a slew of performances from there. Get ready to check out sets from Uncle Earl [website][performance], The Infamous Stringdusters [website][performance], The Belleville Outfit [website], Toubab Krewe [website][performance] and The Duhks [website][performance].
We're thrilled to hear that tons of folks are listening live, on www.radiofreemerlefest.org. We know you're listening, because we got knocked off the air briefly, and the emails started pouring in. Thanks for listening, and make sure you tell your friends.
See more of campus, in Video #2.
Thursday 7pm
I always mention how Merlefest is different, things happen at Merlefest that just
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Gary and I were in the Merlefest dinner line, and we bumped into John McEwen of the legendary Nitty Gritty Dirt Band [website][performance], over by the Fudgesicle cooler.
There is no other place on the planet where you're able to consort with anybody legendary, near frozen treats. But it happens at Merlefest.
John Cowan [website][performance] is on stage right now. I almost didn't recognize him---he's clean-shaven these days. Better to see that big smile on his face, as he's bobbing his head, listening to each of his band members take a solo.
Cowan is going to host tonight's big finale. After Marty Stuart had to cancel, they filled the headlining spot with all All Star 20th Anniversary Kick-Off Jam, with a great, diverse group of players, including Dr. Banjo Pete Wernick [website][performance], Tara Nevins [website] from Donna The Buffalo [website][performance], 84-year-old Tut Taylor [website], and 11-year-old Sierra Hull [website]. A big first night.
Thursday 4pm
The Steep Canyon Rangers [website][performance] are smoking! They're one of several groups of
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Mvy is set-up in the Artists’ Retreat Tent, so we will see many of the players and pickers throughout the weekend, when they go looking for some fruit or a place to cool off. One of the Steep Canyon Rangers was checking out the scene shortly before the set, and you should have seen the gleam in his eye when I told him bluegrass fans worldwide would be listening to him play.
Lindsay Reid was telling me that The Steep Canyon Rangers are quite the local phenomenon, packing the clubs throughout North Carolina. We know Lindsay from his days at Sugar Hill Records, and we have bumped into him each year at Merlefest. This year, we invited him to join our crew, so he’s the one snapping the photos of the performers.
I just checked the weather channel, and was pleased to see that the predicted thunderstorms are passing to the north, for now.
Thursday 1pm
I was standing at baggage claim at the Asheville, North Carolina airport, waiting for my bags to come around the carousel. I had to smile, as a saw coming on down the belt, a case in a shape that could only hold one thing: a fiddle. And I know, at the airports in Charlotte and Knoxville and Tri-Cities, the same scene was playing out. Artists and pickers and music lovers are converging on this out-of-the way town, for four days of fun.
I've always joked about having a face for radio. Today I get to test that theory. We shot some video to give you an idea of what things look like before the gates open.