Avetts, Earls of Leicester join MerleFest line-up

Jim Avett, father of two members of The Avett Brothers, also will appear at MerleFest, which will be held April 23-26 in Wilkesboro, N.C.

"We promised more surprises for our 2015 lineup, and I think these artists qualify as worth the wait," said Steve Johnson, artist relations manager for MerleFest. "We know that this will be welcome news to our fans, and we're excited to have this collection of diverse and talented artists on board for MerleFest this year."

"And by the way, there are still a few more surprises to be announced for this year's lineup. Stay tuned," he said.

The Avett Brothers will be making their seventh appearance at MerleFest this year. Formed in 2001 in Charlotte, N.C., The Avett Brothers include brothers Scott Avett on banjo and Seth Avett on guitar, along with stand-up bass player Bob Crawford, cellist Joe Kwon, Mike Marsh on drums, Paul Defiglia on keyboard and organ and Tania Elizabeth on violin.

In 2008, Jim Avett released his first album on Ramseur Records, "Jim Avett and Family," a collection of gospel songs recorded with daughter Bonnie and sons Scott and Seth of The Avett Brothers. In 2010, he returned with "Tribes," seven original songs that speak of love and loss and in 2012, continued on those themes on "Second Chance."

Jerry Douglas presents the Earls of Leicester, a group of like-minded musicians banding together to recreate the music of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys. Led by 13-time Grammy-winner Douglas (band leader, Dobro), the Earls of Leicester features hit songwriter Shawn Camp (guitar, lead vocals), acclaimed banjoist Charlie Cushman, bassist Barry Bales (Douglas's cohort in Alison Krauss & Union Station) and fiddler Johnny Warren (son of Paul Warren, fiddle player in Flatt & Scruggs' Foggy Mountain Boys band). Their self-titled album was just nominated for a Grammy in the Best Bluegrass Album category.

The band plays selections from the era of 1954 to 1965. During these years, the band comprised Lester, Earl, Dobro player Josh Graves, fiddler Paul Warren, tenor singer and mandolinist Curly Seckler and bass player Jake Tullock.

Tickets for MerleFest 2015 are now on sale and may be purchased at www.MerleFest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857. A three-tiered pricing structure is offered for MerleFest 2015: an Early Bird Tier 1 ticket discount is available through Feb. 15, an Early Bird Tier 2 ticket discount will run from Feb. 16 through April 22, and the third price tier will be gate pricing.