While the music lasts: born of loss, MerleFest gains an international reputation that fuels an economic engine for western North Carolina.

• Author: Martin, Edward
• Position: PICTURE THIS

The music might have died that night in October 1985. Eddy Merle Watson lay dead at 36, crushed under his overturned farm tractor on a Caldwell County hillside, his hands, which had brought him fame as one of the nation's best guitar pickers, stilled. Few would have blamed his blind father, a legend in bluegrass and folk music, if he had laid down his pick for good. Doc and his son had recorded more than 20 albums together. But buoyed by friends, fans and fellow musicians, MerleFest was born less than three years later. It has grown--more than 76,000 attended last April--but, at its core, hasn't changed that much.

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"We've improved it, but there are a couple of things that are still the same," Director Ted Hagaman says. "One is our values. It remains a family-oriented festival, and we're determined to keep it that way. And it will always be something that celebrates the life of Merle Watson and the Watson family."

This year's MerleFest--April 23-26--will include not only country and bluegrass stalwarts such as Emmylou Harris and the Del McCoury Band but also pop singer Linda Ronstadt with a mariachi band performing Mexican folk songs. "Over the years, we've expanded our genres of music, though they all tie together. They all have roots in traditional music. Doc refers to it as 'traditional plus,' and we have Americana, Cajun, Celtic, blues. We feel like we're offering something for everyone."

Held on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, the festival has become an economic engine for much of western North Carolina, spilling into the Piedmont. Linda Cheek, president of the Wilkes County Chamber of Commerce, says it helps fill the slack left by the loss of two NASCAR races that were held at North Wilkesboro Speedway until 1996. Economically, with a regional impact of $14.7 million last year, it is the county's largest event. "We have an apple festival in October that draws about 100,000, but that's not overnight."

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The festival's impact ripples outward...