Behind the Scenes of Merlefest with Presley Barker

Presley Barker played his first Merlefest at age 7, getting up on the Little Picker’s stage to entertain the audience with some fast-fingered guitar picking. The Wilkes County native has been honored to play at the festival every year since. Now, as he prepares to take the stage at Merlefest for what will be his fourteenth year as a performer, he took the time to talk with us about his music and what playing this festival means to him.

How did you get started playing guitar?

Everyone in my family loves music. My parents had always taken me and my brother to concerts and music festivals, and of course there was lots of music at church. But I’m the first in my family to play an instrument. So when I told my mom I wanted to play guitar, they found Larry Skipper, my first guitar teacher, and it just took off from there.

The first time you took the stage at Merlefest you were only 7 years old. What do you remember about that experience?

Mostly I remember having to get over the nerves! I had already been singing in front of church from an early age, but being on stage at Merlefest was different. I was lucky to have my family and Larry there to encourage and support me. Larry was a big part of me getting to perform. He worked with Andy May’s Acoustic Kids Showcases, which works with festivals to give young musicians an opportunity to play on stage at festivals.

Since that first year playing on the Little Picker’s stage, you’ve come back to Merlefest many years and played on various stages. But last year was special, why was that?

Last year I was invited to open up the festival on Thursday and got to play on the Watson Stage for the first time. It was a surreal moment for me. When I started out with Larry, he had asked me what my goals were as a musician and I told him I’d really love to play the Watson Stage, and here I was, years later, actually getting a chance to fulfill those goals. It was a dream come true.

There’s really no words to describe how it felt to start Merlefest off, setting the note for how the festival is going to be. It was unbelievable. I have so many people to thank for helping me get there.

There’s more to Merlefest than the performances on the stage. What is one of your favorite behind-the-scenes memories?

When I was about 10 or 11, Bryan Sutton came and found me and took me to a room away from all the crowds. We played fiddle tunes for a few hours, and I learned so much from him. I’d play a part of something, and then he’d show me what he would do. It was such a great opportunity for me as a young musician to get to work with someone with that much experience. What he did really meant a lot to me.

While we’re always excited when you play here in Wilkes County, whether it be at Merlefest or Carolina in the Fall or on another local stage, you’ve traveled all over the United States playing festivals and shows. Aside from Merlefest, what was your favorite place to play?

Getting to play at the Grand Ol’ Opry is probably the favorite thing in my career so far. The history of the place, what it means to bluegrass and country music, really makes it special. Walking out on that stage you really feel the legacy of the music. Getting to play there with Ricky Skaggs was incredible.

How do you stay true to your Wilkes County roots as you travel around performing?

I just try to keep the values my family has taught me, and I carry those with me wherever I go. Here in Wilkes, everyone loves one another and shows kindness toward one another. I just try to practice that, and show gratitude towards others wherever I am. So many people tell me, wherever I go, never forget where you’re from, and that’s true. Wilkes County will always be my home, and it’s important to remember where you came from and the people who got you where you are.