Festival-goers still needed the rain boots to navigate the mud, but the sun came out on Saturday. The annual tradition, the Waybacks’ Hillside Album Hour, means that people start staking out spots early in the day in preparation for the the California band’s cover of a classic album each year, after releasing “Google-proof clues” leading up to the performance. The guesses included a Willie Nelson album, since the Outlaw celebrated his 90th birthday on Saturday. Sam Bush also pretended to let slip that they would be performing a Kitty Wells album. After a little noodling and snatches of such familiar tunes as “Across the Universe,” the Waybacks and guests launched into “Baba O’Riley,” the first track of The Who’s What’s Next album. Celia Wordsmith of Della Mae, a frequent guest on this set, carried most of the lead, joined by Ali McGuirk. Sam Bush held down the mandolin, and Jim Lauderdale joined for “Won’t Get Fooled Again.”
Leading up to the album hour, music fans had more options across the numerous stages. Tommy Prine, son of the late John Prine, made multiple appearances. The Kruger Brothers, perennial favorites, performed in the cool of the Walker Center, before the Stillhouse Junkies, IBMA 2021 Month Band of the Year out of Durango, Colorado, performed.
The day offered a number of celebrations of the life of Doc Watson, including a veterans jam featuring performers with the longest running attendance record at MerleFest: Jack Lawrence, Joe Smothers, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Peter Rowan, and T. Michael Coleman. The Kruger Brothers also hosted a 100th birthday jam.
The Watson and Cabin stages kept up the variety of genres through the afternoon and evening–The Po’Ramblin’ Boys made one of multiple appearances, followed by Kentucky singer-songwriter Cole Chaney. For most MerleFest fans, an appearance by the Sam Bush Band is non-negotiable. Playing a variety of their numerous favorite hits, Bush highlighted his new album, Radio John, a tribute to the late great John Hartford.
Lori McKenna performed her own songs, as well as some by her favorite songwriters, on the cabin stage before Nashville country music star Maren Morris closed out the evening.