Big-name stars who are scheduled to perform include bluegrass favorites Nickel Creek on Saturday, and Emmylou Harris on Sunday.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.merlefest.org. Those without Internet access may purchase tickets by calling 1-800-343-7857 (US only) or 336-838-6267 (non-US) from 10 AM through 4 PM, EST, weekdays. Tickets may also be ordered by fax (336-838-6263). Those interested in volunteering for MerleFest should call 336-838-6292.

MerleFest 2006 has also confirmed appearances by Richard Watson; Susana & Timmy Abell; R.G Absher & Extra Measure; Alberti Flea Circus; Angel Band; Paul Asbell; The Avett Brothers; The Biscuit Burners; Rory Block; David Bromberg Quartet; Alison Brown Quartet; Roy Book Binder; Laura Boosinger; Sam Bush Band; Bob Carlin; Chatham County Line; Bob Childers; Guy Clark; Slaid Cleaves; Thad Cockrell & Caitlin Cary; T Michael Coleman; Eustace Conway; The Cottars; John Cowan Band; Donald Davis; Cheick Hamala Diabate; The Dillards; The Ditty Bops; Dixie Dawn; Robert Dotson; Double Decker String Band; Jerry Douglas Band; Casey Driessen; The Duhks; Feufollet; B�la Fleck & the Flecktones; Flumpa & Friends; Pat Flynn & Friends; Frosty Morn Band; Galax Little Leaves; Eliza Gilkyson; The Grascals; Grassroots Stages (film); The Green Grass Cloggers; Mitch Greenhill; Nora Guthrie; Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion; George Hamilton IV; Emmylou Harris; Jason Harrod; Caroline Herring & Claire Holley; Bob Hill; Algia Mae Hinton; Clyde Hollifield; David Holt & the Lightning Bolts; Hot Tuna; Hot Vegas; Clint Howard Band; Ill-Mo Boys; Interactive Theatre of Jef; The Isaacs; David Jacobs-Strain; Reverend Robert Jones; Si Kahn; Robert Earl Keen; Jimmy LaFave; Jim Lauderdale & His Bluegrass Band; Jack Lawrence; The Lee Boys; James Leva; Jon Lohman, Virginia State Folklorist; Laura Love Band; The Local Boys; Clay Lunsford; The Mammals; Bill Mathis; Andy May; Mount Rogers Ramblers; Nashville Bluegrass Band; NC Thumb & Finger Style Guitar Players; Nickel Creek; Pilot Mountain Bobcats; Josh Pinkham & The Pinkham Family Band; Maggie "Charlene Darling" Peterson; John Prine; Harvey Reid & Joyce Andersen; Ribbon of Highway Endless Skyway featuring Slaid Cleaves, Eliza Gilkyson, Jimmy LaFave, & Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion; Tony Rice Unit; Paul Rishell & Annie Raines; Peter Rowan; Darrell Scott; Wayne Scott; Curly Seckler; Mike Seeger; Pete Seeger; Larry Skipper; Joe Smothers; Larry Sparks & the Lonesome Ramblers; Steep Canyon Rangers; Bryan Sutton; Chip Taylor & Carrie Rodriguez; Tut Taylor; Joe Thompson; Tom, Brad & Alice Happy Traum; Jay Ungar & Molly Mason; Warren Wilson College Folk Choir; The Waybacks featuring special guest Bob Weir; Bob Weir; Charles Welch; Gillian Welch; Pete & Joan Wernick; The Wilders; Wilkes Playmakers; and Tony Williamson. Please note that all bookings are subject to change without notice due to circumstances beyond the control of the festival.

A newly-released CD titled "Fresh Faces at MerleFest 2006" is now on the market. This project compiles the finest previously recorded performances by artists making their debut this year. It will be available online at www.mfstore.org, or by calling 1-800-871-2738.

MerleFest has grown tremendously since its inception. The festival could not possibly have progressed to its present size and stature without our hundreds of dedicated volunteers. For many of these volunteers, MerleFest is an annual labor of love which is critical to the success of the festival. If you are interested in being a volunteer, please print a copy of our volunteer application form available on the Volunteers Page, or call 336-838-6292 to receive a volunteer form through the mail. A current photograph is requested as part of the application. Visit http://www.merlefest.org/Volunteers.htm for complete details.

MerleFest is committed to producing a high quality diversified American roots based musical experience that attracts a broad audience and reunites guests, supporters and performers in an annual celebration of Americana music . The festival is held in a secure and substance-free setting that compliments the experience and fosters an interest in a variety of musical forms representative of the repertoire of Doc and Merle Watson. Through the years, MerleFest has provided funds for its founding purpose, the Eddy Merle Watson Memorial Garden for the Senses; providing an interpretive, educational, artistic and cultural experience for visually impaired as well as sighted guests. The festival is committed to the cultural experiences that are interwoven in the music�s foundations and progression, as well as to promoting the work and efforts of Wilkes County non-profit community organizations and Wilkes Community College. MerleFest directly contributes to Wilkes Community College�s scholarships, capital improvements, development, and many other needs of a growing institution of higher learning. For more information, visit www.merlefest.org.

(Image provided by MerleFest.)

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