Watch The Earls of Leicester at the Paste Sessions From MerleFest

Paste Studio “On The Road” rambles on, this time to Wilkesboro, N.C., for the 36th annual MerleFest! The festival was founded in 1988 in memory of Doc Watson’s son Merle, and features “traditional plus” music, described by Doc Watson himself as, “the traditional music of the Appalachian region plus whatever other styles we were in the mood to play.” In this installment, watch The Earls of Leicester (pronounced “Lester”) pay tribute to the legacy of bluegrass legends Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs.

Full Session

Guitarist Shawn Camp takes lead vocal duties on “Salty Dog Blues,” reinforced during the choruses by the voices of Dobro master Jerry Douglas, fiddler Johnny Warren and mandolinist Jeff White.

“Salty Dog Blues”

Between the first and second song, Douglas shares his thoughts on the special nature of MerleFest, having played every one of the 36 festivals. Banjoist Charlie Cushman introduces the second song “Flint Hill Special,” a fitting song selection since Earl Scruggs was born and raised in the Flint Hill community of Cleveland County, about an hour and a half drive from the festival grounds.

“Flint Hill Special”

After “Flint Hill Special,” fiddler Johnny Warren tells us the history of his instrument. It’s the one his dad Paul Warren played with Flatt & Scruggs from 1954 to 1969. The Earls close out their session with the American tradition tune “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down.”

“Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down”

Big thanks to The Earls of Leicester, MerleFest and our friends at Window World for bringing these sessions to life, and please stay tuned for more Paste x MerleFest sessions to come!

Shawn Camp – Guitar
Charlie Cushman – Banjo
Jerry Douglas – Dobro
Todd Phillips – Bass
Johnny Warren – Fiddle
Jeff White – Mandolin