Back at the hotel after a 12 hour musical extravaganza. We started off at the Traditional stage with a fabulous group called the South Carolina Broadcasters – Old Time with very strong vocals and a spirit that reminded me of the Carter Family. Then we headed over to the Americana stage for some Texas style Western Swing and after that to the Creekside stage for the Kruger Brothers.

The Kruger Brothers have a career closely tied to Merlefest. After being invited to play the festival while living in Switzerland (one of them commented today, why were these people importing banjo and fiddle players?), they eventually moved to America -and North Carolina. They are “old time” yet very unique – and their playing is masterful.

After the Kruger Brothers, it was square dance time over at the dance tent. with the help of The Sheets Family Band, Third generation caller Uncle Ted got us dancing right away. He encouraged kids and adults to dance together. Uncle Ted explained that if you don’t involve the kids in the dance, it will be lost. We learned a lot and danced until my feet were getting sore. It was tremendous fun and we’re going to do some more tomorrow.

Next up was guitar picker and maker Wayne Henderson, along with Helen White, and then a real treat for the banjo freaks in the crowd. David Holt hosted a banjo demonstration featuring a variety od styles and great players including Riley Baugus, Pete Wernick, Steve Lewis and Randy Sheets. This was immediately followed by a set from Riley Baugus and Kirk Sutphin, who are carrying on a musical tradition learned from elders of North Carolina old time music, particularly from the Round Peak area. Seeing these guys perform was a highlight for me as a guy learning old time banjo.

We headed over to the Watson Stage where we had left our chairs set up, grabbed a bite to eat, and settled in for a spirited set of bluegrass from the Steep Canyon Rangers. The last show for us, also at the main stage, featured the Del McCoury Band together with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. I thought pairing a traditional New Orleans Jazz band with a hot bluegrass band was going to be a strange combination but it seemed to invigorate all the players and the result was swinging and joyful.

The festival had yet more music to offer but we were exhausted and with another long day of music tomorrow, we decided to call it an evening. wow, what a great day.