Watch Willi Carlisle 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 session, Paste Best of What’s Next artist Willi Carlisle picks and grins his way through three songs including the title track from his current record Critterland.

Full Session

“Carlisle sings as if he’s about to burst with all the things he wants to say,” Paste’s Eric R. Danton wrote of the new album, and that’s certainly true here. Flanked by guitarist Grady P. Drugg “The Doctor of Love,” and “resident fiddle twink” Sophie Mae Wellington (Willi’s description, not mine, ha!), watch Carlisle and company deliver a devastating rendition of “Higher Lonesome,” in delicious three-part harmony during the choruses.

“Higher Lonesome”

Carlisle shares that part of the album Critterland tells the story of his time trying to make a life for himself in an intentional community in rural Arkansas, where church was a part of the deal. Listening to the Heavenly Highway Hymns at church made him want to write his own hymn about his beliefs, in this case the idea that each individual should get to decide whether or not to have kids.

“I Want No Children”

Big thanks to Willi, Sophie, Grady, 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!

“Critterland”

Willi Carlise – Vocal, guitar
Grady P. Drugg – Guitar, background vocal
Sophie Mae Wellington – Fiddle, background vocal