Many fans of bluegrass, roots and Americana music will be heading to Driftwood, Texas and Wilkesboro, North Carolina in April for major festivals.

The 20th Annual Old Settler’s Music Festival, slated for April 19-22 at the Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch in Driftwood, Texas is not as well-known outside the state as some other festivals in the Austin area – and that’s part of its allure. Old Settler’s Music Festival also takes place during what’s usually the height of Texas Hill Country’s wildflower season, although few bluebonnets were in bloom last year due to earlier drought conditions.

Old Settler’s Music Festival may not draw as many people as the SXSW, Austin City Limits and Kerrville Folk Festivals, but it certainly does draw its share of stellar performers. This year’s lineup includes Sam Bush, John Cowan Band, Iris DeMent, Ruthie Foster, Robbie Fulks & Danny Barnes, Mary Gauthier, Green Mountain Grass, Jim Lauderdale, New Monsoon, Joan Osborne, Psychograss (featuring Darol Anger, Mike Marshall, Todd Phillips, Tony Trischka and David Grier), Red Stick Ramblers and Darrell Scott, among others. In addition to concerts, there’ll be Friday and Saturday performance workshops, arts and crafts, a youth talent competition and children’s activities (including armadillo races).

For more information, visit www.oldsettlersmusicfest.org.

MerleFest, one of America’s most popular Americana music festivals, also marks its 20th anniversary this year. Celebrating the music of the late Merle Watson and his father Doc Watson, the festival takes place April 26-29 on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, NC.

A number of artists who are performing at Old Settler’s Music Festival also will be at MerleFest, including Sam Bush, John Cowan, Ruthie Foster, Jim Lauderdale and Red Stick Ramblers. Also joining Doc Watson and Merle’s son Richard for MerleFest 2007 will be Blue Highway, Roy Book Binder, Crooked Still, Donna the Buffalo, Jerry Douglas, The Duhks, Bela Fleck, Paul Geremia, John Hammond, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Del McCoury Band, Nashville Bluegrass Band, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band; Dirk Powell Band, Robinella, Peter Rowan and Tony Rice Quartet (a highlight of last year’s Old Settler’s Music Festival), Earl Scruggs with Family & Friends, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, Pam Tillis, Happy Traum, Uncle Earl (an all-female quartet that also made quite an impression during last spring’s Old Settler’s Music Festival), The Waybacks, The Worthless Son-In-Laws, and others.

Also on tap are the finals of the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest (for which entries must be received by March 4), a Friday evening Songwriters’ Coffeehouse (at which songwriters selected from registrants on site will share the stage with singer-songwriters performing at MerleFest) and instrument contests for mandolin, banjo and guitar (for which 20 contestants will be picked from among those who register on site).

For more information, visit www.merlefest.org.