Three- and Four-day early bird tickets for MerleFest 2009, representing an average 10% discount over regular admission prices, are available until April 3. MerleFest, one of the most popular Americana music festivals, celebrates the music of the late instrumental virtuoso Eddy Merle Watson and his father Doc Watson. The “traditional plus” music festival – featuring a diverse array of roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region and beyond — takes place April 23-26 on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

“During these economic times, all of us at MerleFest want to do whatever we can to allow more fans to attend the festival at a discount price,” said Ted Hagaman, the festival’s director. “This year, perhaps more than any other, it’s important for people to have a little diversion, to relax and enjoy the music and the spirit of the event. That’s why we extended our Early Bird deadline until April 3.” Ticket purchases can be made online at www.merlefest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857.

As reported on AcousticMusicScene.com last fall, MerleFest 2009 will feature four days of performances by nearly 100 artists on 15 stages. Joining festival host Doc Watson and his son, Richard, will be (in alphabetical order) Susanna and Timmy Abell, The Alberti Flea Circus, Angel Band, Banknotes, Buffalo Barfield, Bearfoot, Beausoleil, Rory Block, Blue Highway, Roy Book Binder, Laura Boosinger, Bob Bovee and Gail Heil, Broken Wire, David Bromberg, Sam Bush, Cadillac Sky, Carolina Chocolate Drops, The Circuit Riders, Clack Mountain String Band, T. Michael Coleman, The John Cowan Band, Dailey & Vincent, The Dixie Beeliners, Donna the Buffalo, Pat Donohue, Robert Dotson, The Duhks, The Farewell Drifters, Benton Flippen Band Throttle Bluegrass Band, Rayna and Dan Gellert, The Grascals, The Gravy Boys, Great Big Sea, The Greencards, Mitch Greenhill, George Hamilton IV, Emmylou Harris, Wayne Henderson, Violet Hensley, Willette Hinton and Family, Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, David Holt, Sierra Hull and Highway 111, The InterACTive Theater of Jef, Phil Jamison, The Kruger Brothers, Jim Lauderdale, Jack Lawrence, Mark Lippard, Jeff Little, The Local Boys, The Lovell Sisters, Doug MacLeod, Andy May, Del McCoury Band, Tift Merritt, Mountain Heart, Nashville Bluegrass Band, The Neighbors, North Carolina Ramblers, Ollabelle, Out on the Ocean, Polecat Creek, Missy Raines and the New Hip, Loretta and Lindsay Rice, Tony Rice, The Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Peter Sauber, Martha Scanlan, Scythian, Anne and Pete Sibley, Joe Smothers, Spring Creek Bluegrass Band, The SteelDrivers, Rodney Sutton, Patrick Sweany, Tut Taylor, Joe Thompson, Tom, Brad and Alice, Happy Traum, Jenny Traynham, Travis Tritt and Jerry Douglas, The Waybacks, Pete and Joan Wernick, Wilkes Acoustic Folk Society, Tony Williamson, and The Zephyr Lightning Bolts.

Also on tap for the 22nd annual MerleFest are a number of unique musical collaborations and spontaneous jam sessions that have been highlights of the event since its outset, the finals of the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, instrument contests, a Friday night songwriter showcase coffeehouse and open mic, heritage crafts by regional artisans, children’s activities, and plenty of pickin’ opportunities.