Watson, The Steel Wheels join MerleFest

The Steel Wheels, a quartet of Americana folk musicians based in Virginia, will host the Midnight Jam during MerleFest, which is April 23-26 in Wilkesboro, N.C.

MerleFest is known for its mix of traditional, roots-oriented music from the Appalachian region, including bluegrass and old-time music, Americana, blues, country, Celtic, Cajun, cowboy, zydeco, rock and other style.

Watson was an original member of Old Crow Medicine Show. Watson recorded and toured with the group for over a decade before leaving to go solo in 2011. He released his debut solo album, "Folk Singer, Vol. 1," produced by David Rawlings, early in 2014 on Rawlings' and associate producer Gillian Welch's Acony Records.

The Steel Wheels cluster tightly around a single microphone to adorn Trent Wagler's tenor with four-part harmonies complemented by Eric Brubaker's fiddle, Brian Dickel's upright bass and Jay Lapp on the mandolin and guitars. This will be the third MerleFest appearance for the Steel Wheels.

The Midnight Jam is the Saturday after-hours hootenanny that has produced artistic collaborations and special jams.

Steve Johnson, artist relations manager for MerleFest, said, "The MerleFest Midnight Jam is the place to be for great late night music at the festival. We are incredibly excited to have The Steel Wheels and The Bluegrass Situation co-hosting the event. Additionally we expect a great lineup of music for the Midnight Jam, which will include artists like Willie Watson, Scythian and New Country Rehab, and we definitely expect some of the MerleFest fan favorites like Jim Lauderdale, Peter Rowan and many others to make an appearance as well."