he Avett Brothers, who frequently acknowledge their debt to Doc Watson,
will be among the headliners at MerleFest 2023,
festival organizers announced Tuesday.
The initial lineup will also include Maren Morris, a country star and member of The Highwomen
the Black Opry Revue; and longtime staples Sam Bush
Jerry Douglas and Peter Rowan
Others acts are expected to be announced in the months leading up to the four-day festival,
which will be April 27-30 at Wilkes Community College
The festival will mark its 35th anniversary and honor the 100th anniversary of Watson's birth.
Watson was a legendary flatpicking guitarist from Deep Gap
who started the festival to honor his late son, Merle.