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The evolution of MerleFest’s Hillside Album Hour

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A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

The evolution of MerleFest’s Hillside Album Hour

Now in its 12th year, the Waybacks have turned the show into a cultural phenomenon

• By Ogi Overman Special to Go Triad
• Apr 18, 2019
• Apr 18, 2019
• 0

1 of 11

James Nash, lead singer of The Waybacks, has created an annual favorite at MerleFest — the Hillside Album Hour.

• Courtesy of MerleFest

TOP: The first year of the Hillside Album Hour, The Waybacks played Led Zeppelin’s album “Led Zeppelin II.” It started in 2008 as a one-off show and has now grown into a festival within a festival, complete with Hillside Album Hour T-shirts, several live albums and a contest.

• Courtesy of Jim Gavenus

ABOVE: Jim Lauderdale sings along with The Waybacks at The Hillside Album Hour at MerleFest.

• Courtesy of Christopher Noble

AT RIGHT: Hillside Album Hour 2016 at MerleFest. The show’s name is a nod to a ’70s Charlotte radio show called the “Midnight Album Hour.”

• Courtesy of Gordon Burns

Artisans create and sell their wares at MerleFest.

• Courtesy of Will Sparklin

Artisans offer demonstrations of their skills to MerleFest visitors.

• Courtesy of MerleFest

Some musicians start early at MerleFest.

• Courtesy of MerleFest

Activities are planned to keep kids busy during MerleFest.

• Courtesy of MerleFest

James Nash of The Waybacks usually begins the Hillside Album Hour with some kind of guitar riff that evolves into the album chosen for the performance.

• Courtesy of John Hayes

You don’t have to be a professional musician to participate in MerleFest. Just head over to the jam tent.

• Courtesy of Suzie Guerrant

The Waybacks are (from left) Warren Hood, fiddle; James Nash, guitar and lead vocals; Chuck Hamilton, drums; and Joe Kyle Jr., bass.

• Courtesy of Jay Blakesberg

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By Ogi Overman Special to Go Triad

Fans begin lining up shortly after the crack of dawn Saturday morning. By the time the gates to MerleFest open up at 9 a.m., the queue has swollen to a couple of hundred strong.

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+11 

Carlile

Courtesy of Alysse Gafjken

Want to go?

What: MerleFest

When: April 25-28

Where: Wilkes Community College, Wilkesboro

Admission: $205 for four days, $185 for three days, $70 for Thursday, $90 for Friday and Saturday and $80 for Sunday by phone at 800-343-7857, online at merlefest.org or at the gate.

Information: merlefest.org

Etc: MerleFest will have 13 stages of live music, including Wynonna and the Big Noise, The Avett Brothers, Brandi Carlile, Keb' Mo', Amos Lee, Dailey and Vincent, The Del McCoury Band, Jim Avett, Junior Brown and more. Other areas of the festival will include the Shoppes at MerleFest, Little Pickers Family Area, Pickin' Place, Acoustic Kids Showcase, Jam Camp, Nature Walks and more.

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Close

James Nash, lead singer of The Waybacks, has created an annual favorite at MerleFest — the Hillside Album Hour.

• Courtesy of MerleFest

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TOP: The first year of the Hillside Album Hour, The Waybacks played Led Zeppelin’s album “Led Zeppelin II.” It started in 2008 as a one-off show and has now grown into a festival within a festival, complete with Hillside Album Hour T-shirts, several live albums and a contest.

• Courtesy of Jim Gavenus

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ABOVE: Jim Lauderdale sings along with The Waybacks at The Hillside Album Hour at MerleFest.

• Courtesy of Christopher Noble

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AT RIGHT: Hillside Album Hour 2016 at MerleFest. The show’s name is a nod to a ’70s Charlotte radio show called the “Midnight Album Hour.”

• Courtesy of Gordon Burns

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Artisans create and sell their wares at MerleFest.

• Courtesy of Will Sparklin

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Artisans offer demonstrations of their skills to MerleFest visitors.

• Courtesy of MerleFest

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Some musicians start early at MerleFest.

• Courtesy of MerleFest

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Activities are planned to keep kids busy during MerleFest.

• Courtesy of MerleFest

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James Nash of The Waybacks usually begins the Hillside Album Hour with some kind of guitar riff that evolves into the album chosen for the performance.

• Courtesy of John Hayes

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You don’t have to be a professional musician to participate in MerleFest. Just head over to the jam tent.

• Courtesy of Suzie Guerrant

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The Waybacks are (from left) Warren Hood, fiddle; James Nash, guitar and lead vocals; Chuck Hamilton, drums; and Joe Kyle Jr., bass.

• Courtesy of Jay Blakesberg

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Carlile

• Courtesy of Alysse Gafjken

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