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Featured image: Robert Kinlaw with his parents, Cathy and Tim, after winning an award at Longleaf Film Festival 2023.

By Charlotte Smith

Contributed photos

Bladen County’s award-winning native, Robert Kinlaw, has announced the release of his latest documentary film, “My Name is Merle,” scheduled to air on PBSNC this month. The film features a captivating tale of Wilkes Community College and its role in MerleFest, tracing the festival’s humble beginnings and evolution into an international sensation.

MerleFest, hosted annually at Wilkes Community College’s campus in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, is the center of Americana and bluegrass music. Kinlaw elaborates, “It’s a great story because it started as a small fundraiser in a local community, and it’s grown into this huge international phenomenon, which is still a fundraiser.” Proceeds from the festival contribute to Wilkes Community College, fostering economic mobility within the community.

Robert Kinlaw records footage of Madison Bridges as she plays the banjo at MerleFest 2022.

The documentary project commenced with Kinlaw’s interviews in 2019. However, the film encountered delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, eventually reaching completion in 2022. Premiering at the 2023 MerleFest and subsequently published online, the film is now set to take center stage on PBSNC this month in 2024.

Reflecting on the filmmaking journey, Kinlaw shares one of his most cherished moments: encountering a young fiddler named Jude. He remarks, “I don’t want to give too much away because I believe it’s worth watching, but capturing Jude’s fiddling and the random encounters with various individuals during this project were some of my favorite moments.”

Engaging with long-time festival attendees, some of whom have been attending for over three decades, was also incredibly rewarding for Kinlaw.

Shay Martin Lovette performs onstage at MerleFest 2022. (documentary still)

Despite spending most of his life in North Carolina, Kinlaw confesses that he initially had limited knowledge of mountain music, a significant aspect of North Carolina culture and, in part, traces back to his heritage. However, he developed a newfound appreciation for bluegrass music throughout the filmmaking process.

Kinlaw acknowledges the invaluable support he’s received throughout his journey, attributing his successes to the exposure he gained in video production since middle school, his parents, the UNC Journalism School, mentors, and Mebane Rash, Editor-in-Chief of EdNC. He emphasizes, “My journey in video production has been made possible by the unwavering support of numerous individuals who nurtured my passion.”

Jude Warren, an aspiring artist and young MerleFest fan, plays the fiddle. (documentary still)

Born and raised in Bladen County, Kinlaw is a Clarkton School of Discovery alumnus. He currently resides in Durham, NC.

Kinlaw expresses his gratitude to the people of Wilkesboro for entrusting him with their personal story. He remarks, “As an outsider, initially a complete stranger to this tale so personal to them, I deeply appreciate their trust and openness in sharing their narrative with me.”

The documentary, previously released online, will make its television debut on PBSNC this month. Demonstrate your support by tuning in to this captivating film.

About the film:

Directed by:

Robert Kinlaw, Founder of Wonder Storytelling

Produced by:

Mebane Rash, Editor-in-Chief of EdNC

Funded by:

EducationNC Ed NC is a non-profit.

Description:

A legendary guitarist and a gardener collaborate to build a festival that forever changes the world of Americana music, bringing tens of thousands annually to a North Carolina mountain town.

This project is a non-profit endeavor and is offered for viewing at no charge.

Watch the film today on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMVwHezww2U

Mark your calendars and watch this documentary on PBSNC: