MerleFest, presented by Lowe’s and slated for April 24-27, 2014, is proud to announce the music festival’s initial lineup. The four-day event, an annual homecoming of musicians and music fans, will once again take place on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.As in years past, the initial lineup reflects the diversity and quality of performers that are the hallmark of the festival. Thursday night’s schedule includes the previously announced country music superstar Alan Jackson, who will showcase his newly released bluegrass album. Another legend - bluegrass icon Dr. Ralph Stanley - will perform on Saturday evening in the Dr. Ralph Stanley All-Star Jam hosted by Jim Lauderdale. Two of bluegrass music’s biggest names, Dailey & Vincent, will be joined by the Statler Brothers’ Jimmy Fortune to deliver a set of that hallowed band’s biggest hits, complete with the deep, rich harmonies for which all three performers are known.Additionally, the lineup introduces some Americana favorites: MerleFest newcomer Keller Williams will perform with the Travelin’ McCourys, and festival favorite Tim O’Brien, along with singer-songwriter Darrell Scott, will perform hits from their new album “Memories and Moments.”“With just this first list of performers, fans will see that we have a great mix of ‘vintage MerleFest’ and ‘fresh faces,’” says Steve Johnson, artist relations manager for MerleFest. “While we have many more artists yet to announce, we can say now that we have an incredible depth of music for 2014 that lives up to the ‘traditional plus’ lineup MerleFest attendees have come to enjoy over the years. We are especially excited to offer a few special jams and MerleFest moments that no one will want to miss!"“And, as MerleFest fans have learned, we release up-to-the-minute lineup additions and other festival news through our social media outlets; so staying in touch with us via our electronic newsletter, website (www.merlefest.org), Facebook and Twitter is crucial,” Johnson adds.MerleFest is known for its unique mix of traditional, roots-oriented music from the Appalachian region, including bluegrass and old-time music, Americana, blues, country, Celtic, Cajun, cowboy, zydeco, rock and many other styles that Doc Watson referred to as “traditional plus.”The following are among the artists scheduled to perform at MerleFest 2014: Richard Watson; Alan Jackson;Carolina Chocolate Drops; Dailey and Vincent Quartet with Jimmy Fortune; Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys; Keller Williams; Tim O’Brien and Darrell Scott; The Steep Canyon Rangers; The Travelin’ McCourys; The Waybacks; Balsam Range; Alison Brown Quartet; Sam Bush Band; Peter Rowan; Della Mae; Donna the Buffalo; Jerry Douglas; The Duhks; Jim Lauderdale; Larry Keel and Natural Bridge; Scythian; Junior Sisk and Ramblers Choice; The Kruger Brothers; Sutton, Holt and Coleman; Lonesome River Band; The Steel Wheels; The Claire Lynch Band; Sleepy Man Banjo Boys; High Valley; Town Mountain; Todd Snider; Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen; The Deadly Gentleman; Mark Johnson and Emory Lester; Mandolin Orange; The Hillbenders; I Draw Slow; Chris Jones and The Night Drivers; Pete and Joan Wernick; Alan Bibey and Grasstowne; Rory Block; Roy Book Binder; Fiona Boyes; Darin and Brooke Aldridge; Shannon Whitworth; Nashville Bluegrass Band; Missy Raines and The New Hip; Red June; Tut Taylor; Nora Jane Struthers and The Party Line; Del Rey; Jeff Little Trio; Mark Newton and Steve Thomas; Wayne Henderson; Jack Lawrence; Roland White; WBT Briarhoppers; Mary Flower; Josh Farrow; The Kickin Grass Band; Volume Five; Overmountain Men; Eleanor Ellis; Niall Toner Band; Riley Baugus; Jeff Brown and Still Lonesome; Mark Bumgarner; Buncombe Turnpike; Nick Chandler and Delivered; The Cockman Family; Nu-Blu; Moore Brothers Band; Toneblazers; Paul’s Creek Band; Sheila Kay Adams; Tal Naccarato; Steve and Ruth Smith; The South Carolina Broadcasters; Jon Stickley Trio; Laura Boosinger; Zephyr Lightning Bolts, The Banknotes; Wayne Erbsen; Misty River Band; The Fox Fire; Sanctum Sully; Time Sawyer; Mountain Feist; My New Favorites; Kim Robins and 40 Years Late; Timmy and Susana Abell; and many more.Additional performers for MerleFest 2014 will be announced in the coming months. The lineup is viewable at www.merlefest.org/lineup.