No Depression transformed a space at the 37th annual MerleFest into a temporary recording hub, hosting twelve intimate performances featuring iconic artists and emerging talents alike. MerleFest, established in 1988 to honor the memory of Merle Watson—son of legendary guitarist Doc Watson—celebrates “traditional plus” music, blending Appalachian roots with influences as diverse as East L.A.’s smooth harmonies and beyond. One of the standout sessions included a visit from bluegrass-jam veterans Leftover Salmon, who dropped by our impromptu studio at Window World Hall to perform two fresh tracks from their newly released album Let’s Party About It, as well as the spirited title song from their 2021 release Brand New Good Old Days.
Their latest project, which launched on May 9 via Compass Records, brings together a stellar lineup of collaborators including Del McCoury (vocals), Sam Bush (fiddle and mandolin), Jason Carter (fiddle), and Jeff Coffin (saxophone). The set opened with “Twisted Pine,” led by a fiery fiddle intro from Jason Carter and vibrant vocals from Drew Emmitt. The energy continued with “Redbird,” another new song, before concluding with the fan-favorite “Brand New Good Old Days.” This appearance added another joyful chapter to the band’s 35-year legacy. What’s their secret to lasting this long? Co-founder Vince Herman laughs, “Only one of us quits at a time! I’ve wanted to leave many times, but it wasn’t my turn yet.”
We’re thrilled to share this performance with you and invite you to stay tuned as more exclusive No Depression x MerleFest ’25 sessions are unveiled.
Our deepest gratitude goes out to everyone who helped bring this series to life: Wes Whitson, MerleFest’s director, and his incredible team; artist relations lead Lindsay Craven; production managers Jim and Katherine; the ever-supportive Carrie and Lauren; Danielle and the Victory Lap crew who helped forge these connections; and of course, Window World for their generous support and space.
Setlist:
“Twisted Pine”
“Redbird”
“Brand New Good Old Days”
Band Lineup:
Vince Herman – Guitar, vocals
Drew Emmitt – Mandolin, vocals
Greg Garrison – Bass
Alwyn Robinson – Drums
Jay Starling – Dobro, vocals
Jason Carter – Fiddle
Mike Robinson – Banjo
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