Merlefest 2008 Artists to Watch

While her other project Uncle Earl won't be making an appearance at MerleFest this year, banjo player Abigail Washburn will be bringing along friends and compatriots Bela Fleck (banjo), Casey Driessen (fiddle), and Ben Sollee (cello) to share work from their bluegrassy collaborations.

The Carolina Chocolate Drops are one of the most buzzworthy bands of the past couple of years. They won the best new artist honor from this year's Folk Alliance Awards, and deservedly so. The old timey trio is definitely not to be missed whenever and wherever you can manage to catch their live show.

Claire Lynch has been around for many years, and her songs have only gotten better and better live. Fresh off the release of her greatest hits collection, Lynch and her band are sure to give you a good time at this year's MerleFest.

Hot Buttered Rum is one of the hottest jamgrass bands around, and their live show is where they show their stuff the best. Last year, they released Live in the Northeast, which was a great testament to their incredible live performances. Definitely don't miss them at MerleFest.

There's a reason that Ruthie Foster's last CD was called The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster. Not just any artist could get away with calling themselves phenomenal, but Foster definitely can. Her deep, soulful vocals accompanied by exquisitely well-written songs and accompaniment are just...well, phenomenal. Definitely don't miss her set, no matter what you do.

Sierra Hull is, indeed, one of the most remarkable new women on the folk and bluegrass scene. A mandolin prodigy who has played with Alison Krauss, among others, Hull and her band are a musical force just waiting to be unleashed. If you want to catch the next big thing, don't skip out on her set.

Currently touring with former Nickel Creekite Sara Watkins, Merritt is another great up-and-coming lady of the folk world. Her sound is vaguely alt-country, and her songs are lovely narrative tales of life and observation with very haunting melodies.

On record, Tish Hinojosa's songs are beautiful lyrical testaments to nature and love. Live, the energy is absolutely infectious, and it's hard to leave her performances not feeling like beauty is all around you. Somehow, she's managed to stay pretty under the radar, but that's fine. Some of the best songwriters never blow up to be big stars.

The Waifs just released a truly remarkable folk-rock CD called SunDirtWater, which has quickly become one of my favorite albums of the year so far. Live, their energy is absolutely electric and, whether or not you're going to make it to MerleFest, you should definitely catch them in concert on their current American tour.

The Wilders are one of the most high-energy, infectious bands in contemporary-traditional bluegrass, and their live shows leave you feeling rowdy and rocked. This Kansas City-based band is definitely not to be missed at MerleFest '08.