Wilkesboro, NC — MerleFest 2009, slated for April 23-26, will announce the talent line up for the festival during an exclusive one-hour radio special on North Carolina public radio station WNCW, 88.7 FM Spindale, 92.9 Boone, 100.3 Charlotte, 97.3 Greenville) on Tuesday, October 28, at 8:00 p.m. EDT. John Adair, who handles artist relations for the festival, and Wilkes Community College Public Information Officer Christie Hutchens will join WNCW host Martin Anderson for a look at the artists who will deliver the eclectic mix of traditional, acoustic and roots-oriented sounds that is the hallmark of the event.

“WNCW is a long-time media partner with MerleFest, and we are excited to be able to work with them to create this special radio show, which will announce the line up for the festival and feature songs from some of the MerleFest performers,” comments Festival Director Ted Hagaman. Fans who live outside WNCW’s broadcast range can hear the show via the station’s online streaming broadcast.

The full line up will also be posted to the festival’s website, http://www.merlefest.org/, after the broadcast event. Festival fans are encouraged to visit the website and sign up for the MerleFest e-newsletter to find out more about additions to the line up, the history of the event, how to volunteer, tips for visiting MerleFest, and more.

The MerleFest box office will open for 2009 ticket sales on Tuesday, November 11, at 2:00 p.m. EST. Ticket purchases can be made on the web at http://www.merlefest.org/ or by calling 1-800-343-7857.

MerleFest, celebrating its 22nd year in 2009, is a four-day event that honors the memory of instrumental virtuoso Eddy Merle Watson and the contributions of Doc and the entire Watson Family to the musical traditions of the region and nation. Held on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, MerleFest began in 1988 as a fundraiser for the college and remains the largest fundraiser for the institution.