2002
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| Wylie Gustufson |
The 15th edition of MerleFest in 2002 was a great success setting an overall attendance record but less crowding. Following the crowding of the largest single day ever the previous year for Dolly Parton’s performance, organizers added general admission space at the Watson Stage and worked on minimizing the golf carts and other vehicles on the grounds. Volunteer headquarters moved from the front entrance to the Caboose, further relieving congestion.
John Cowan dedicated his performance of “Good Woman’s Love” to RosaLee, Doc’s beloved “Sweetie.” Patty Loveless, Peter Rowan and Crucial Reggae, Wylie and The Wild West, Alison Brown Quartet, Sam Bush, Leahy, T. Michael Coleman, Alison Krauss & Union Station, The Kruger Brothers, The Waybacks, and Gillian Welch and David Rawlings appeared at MerleFest 2002.
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| Alison Krauss & Union Station |
Saturday night featured a great MerleFest Jam with Doc, Richard, Sam Bush, John Cowan, Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas, David Holt, Tony Rice, Peter Rowan, Earl Scruggs and Nickel Creek. This jam was recorded, and on April 1, 2003, MerleFest released “MerleFest Live! The 15th Anniversary Jam.” This project was produced as a DVD, VHS and music CD.