April 2012 - Volunteer Spotlight - Shirley Wheeler
MerleFest volunteers often make lifelong friends as they work to make the festival the country’s premier music event. Shirley Wheeler, of Walkertown, North Carolina, is one of those volunteers. “Some of my best memories are of seeing past volunteer friends and always meeting and working with new friends.”
Shirley, who volunteers in the stage crew areas at MerleFest, is an aircraft mechanic whose interests include flying, photography, music and gardening.
Of her MerleFest memories she says, “Every year has been special. I’ve loved them all.” She goes on to explain her favorite festival moments. “I love to see the new performers each year. Also, I look forward to seeing the winners of the songwriting contest. Some of my favorite performers have been Old Crow Medicine Show, The Avett Brothers, Carolina Chocolate Drops, John Prine and many of the blues and bluegrass groups. I also enjoy the Hillside Album Hour.”