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FALL 2016
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In addition, Carolina in the Fall will be hosting the 2016 North
Carolina Banjo Championships, with prizes for the top three play-
ers. Respected local and national banjo artists and instructors will
serve as judges, and top banjo player Jens Kruger, of The Kruger
Brothers, will serve as the host. The North Carolina Banjo Cham-
pionship is sponsored by Deering Banjos, makers of the world’s
finest instruments.
Honoring Two Great Causes
In addition to providing great entertainment, the festival will
include an auction to raise funds for the Wilkes County after-
school music program. The program, through which local
musicians will teach students to play Appalachian mountain
music, will begin this year. Funds from last year’s festival were
used to establish the program and purchase instruments, while
funds from this year’s auction will be used to provide scholar-
ships for students and purchase additional instruments.
In conjunction with the festival, the Carolina in the Fall Fun
Run, scheduled for Saturday, September 24, will benefit the
American Cancer Society. The organization will also have
a merchandise booth at the festival to honor the cause and give
people an opportunity to donate. The 5K run will take place on
seven miles of new mountain bike trails recently installed in
downtown Wilkesboro.
This year, Carolina in the Fall will be hosted by the Kruger
Brothers, and sponsored by Wilkes Communications, Holiday
Inn Express, Hampton Inn, Heart of Folk, River Street Networks,
and the City of Wikesboro.
A Technology Partnership
As with last year’s event, Wilkes Communications will provide
video and audio services, as well as Wi-Fi for the downtown area.
Isom says, “Because of all their assistance, Wilkes Communications
is a great presenting partner for the festival. Plus, they provide
phone and internet services to both of Spectrum Hospitality
Management’s hotel properties. We look forward to continuing
a productive relationship with them for years to come.”
THE KRUGER BROTHERS INSPIRE
AUDIENCES WORLDWIDE
Originally from Switzerland, brothers Uwe and Jens Kruger began playing North American folk
music at an early age and were particularly inspired by recordings of Doc Watson, Flatt and
Scruggs, Bill Monroe, and other progenitors of country, bluegrass, and folk music. Their first
public performances were as a duo, busking on the streets of cities throughout Europe.
After gaining a recording contract
as well as a radio show on SRG SSR,
the Swiss public broadcaster, they
teamed up with New York-based
bass player Joel Landsberg, starting
a trio that has been playing profes-
sionally together since 1995.
The Kruger Brothers moved to the United States in 2002, and are based in Wilkesboro, NC.
Through their numerous CD releases, radio and television performances, lectures, and collabora-
tive efforts, The Kruger Brothers’ powerful artistic statement continues to inspire and enlighten
audiences and musicians around the world.
From the hills of Carolina
Folks have opened up the door
For the first time in my life
I’m not a stranger anymore
LYRICS FROM THE KRUGER BROTHERS’
SONG “CAROLINA IN THE FALL”
(L to R) Uwe Kruger, Jens Kruger, and Joel Landsberg