Summer Festivals – 6 Degrees of Bela Fleck

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones are out promoting their new album (Hidden Land) and, by the looks of things, they’re going to be very tired by summer’s end. Fleck & co. will be hitting most of the major festivals – and if they aren’t attending events in person, chances are that at least one act is on a bill with Bela at some point during the season. Think of it like a giant jam/jazz/folk tree with the Flecktones at the center. Click through for a sample of what you can be a part of – if summer fest touring is your thing (this is in no way a complete listing of performances or summer festivals – feel free to add your favorites below):

MerleFest (4/27-30, Wilkesboro, NC – Bela sighting? YES):
The country’s biggest bluegrass festival – look for unusual pairings as headlining musicians play together just for fun. Also on the bill, The Mammals, Nickel Creek, Sam Bush, Hot Tuna, the Duhks, Emmylou Harris, and Tony Rice.