There is one more group we really loved at Merlefest that I wanted to highlight. Unfortunately I didn’t get a good photograph nor any video. The group is the Kruger Brothers. They are known as a trio, with Jens Kruger on the banjo and his brother Uwe on guitar and vocals, and Joel Landsberg on bass. They’ve been playing together since 1995. At Merlefest there was a 4th player as well on snare drum. I’m sorry I don’t know the drummer’s name, but I’m sure someone will let me know along the way. These guys moved to North Carolina from their native Switzerland and while they aren’t from the Appalachians, they are from the Alps.
They played one of their best known tunes, Carolina in the Fall, and their performance was so moving I found my eyes welling up during it. I don’t have a video of this performance but here’s one from YouTube featuring a performance of the same song elsewhere. It’s a really beautiful song and if you haven’t heard it before, you’re in for a treat.
As if that was not good enough, here are the Kruger Brothers playing Shady Grove with the late Doc Watson from back in 2002. Magic.
Another tune the Krugers played at Merlefest was People Get Ready.
27th Street 
That really is a lovely song. And their harmonies are very tender and sweet.