21. Jim Avett at Merlefest 2019

Jim Avett has been a staple of Merlefest for many years now from sitting in with many performers on the Watson stage to hosting the Sunday morning gospel set on the Creek side stage.  I spoke with him during Merlefest 2019 to get insight in to his musical history, growing up in rural NC and yes, a little bit about those other Avetts.

From his Facebook page:  Jim Avett of Concord, North Carolina, is the son of a Methodist minister and a classical pianist who grew up in a home full of love and music, a home where he learned the importance of hard work and honest living. He and his wife instilled these same values in their children, tempered with a lot of fun, and of course, music. Jim’s guitar was an ever present instrument, and there was always singing.

As much as he enjoyed writing and performing music, Jim put his family first and spent 35 years running his welding company, building bridges along much of the east coast in order to provide for them. After retiring from welding, he returned to music and recorded Jim Avett and Family, a collection of gospel music, with his children, Bonnie, Scott and Seth in 2008.

His website is at: www.jimavett.com