1995
 |
| Gillian Welch |
 |
| Leftover Salmon |
Four days of great weather and great music characterized MerleFest 1995. A huge crowd of fans, many dancing, filled the Hillside Stage area to hear newcomer Leftover Salmon. Other first-timers included Nickel Creek, Chesapeake, Robert Earl Keen and Gillian Welch, who returned as an extremely successful artist after having won first place in the first CASC-country category. The 1995 lineup included Ricky Skaggs, The Tractors, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Junior Brown and the legendary John Hartford.
Inspired by audience surveys, letters from participants, and observation of other festivals, MerleFest has implemented many changes that have enhanced the festival experience. The MerleFest Gift Shop began selling all things MerleFest in 1995 and expanded in 1996. Also that year’s program promoted the new and growing website, which provides a wealth of MerleFest information and a forum for audience feedback. Since then, the website has become increasingly sophisticated and now allows fans to buy tickets over the Internet. It also is used to promote other MerleFest social media venues: Facebook, Twitter and an e-newsletter. MerleFest’s 22,000 Facebook friends have lively discussions and share photos, and the MerleFest electronic newsletter, which began in 2008, delivers festival information monthly to 18,000 fans.
 |
| Ricky Skaggs |