They found themselves back at Merlefest in 2005 playing several set and Scott also got to be a judge in the banjo contest. They would play a Thursday and Friday show in 2006 they would play the Watson Stage on Thursday night and for a long time that show was available on CD and on iTunes but is no longer. They would return in 2008 as headliners for the first time on Friday night. Early that day as part of the Merlefest Outreach Program to local schools that began in 1991 they would play West Wilkes High School - Millers Creek, NC.
Doc once described the music he and Merle made as traditional plus which was traditional Appalachian region plus whatever styles we were in the mood to play. Merlefest lineups are indeed traditional plus and traditional plus plus plus may be a good way to explain the Avett Brothers music over the years. The Avett Brothers continued to play 2010, 2013, 2015, 2017 as well as participating in workshops some of those years. They will play Merlefest again this year so the story of the Avett Brothers at Merlefest will continue.
photo by Kent Kessinger
The Avett Brothers will be at Merlefest this year on Sunday, April 28, 2019 @ 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM @ Watson Stage
"Midnight at the shoreline, fireworks above us