Freight Train Blues Concert Series takes place on Fridays, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Carrboro Town Commons (Farmer’s Market), 301 Main Street. Bring a chair or blanket. Food and drink will be sold at the event. No outside alcohol.
This free music series is presented by Carrboro Recreation and Parks, along with Music Makers Relief Foundation.
The music series, which highlights blues and roots music, celebrates the life and legacy of Piedmont blues legend, Elizabeth ‘Libba’ Cotten, born in 1893 in Carrboro, NC. Cotten’s style was unique and highly regarded by many famous musicians. In 1984, Elizabeth Cotten won a GRAMMY award for Best Ethnic or Traditional Recording.
Here’s a recording of Elizabeth Cotton playing “Freight Train.”
The outdoor performances are all free. Food trucks and beer from a local Brewery will be on hand for sale. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. No alcohol is allowed to be brought to the concerts.
Schedule:
May 24 – AJ Ghent
AJ Ghent [j-ent] and His Singing Guitar construct a musical sound that can be heard howling from the church to the streets to the clubs. His style can be defined as fresh, nostalgic, electrifying and roots rock, — fusing blues, funk, rock, and pop, mashing it into a genre he likes to call, NEO BLUES.
May 31 – Chatham Rabbits | Alexa Rose
The Chatham Rabbits are a husband and wife duo that play original folk music that nods to rich bluegrass and old-time traditions.
Alexa Rose has the rare ability to find strikingly original melodies that nevertheless sound like they must have existed for a long time, stored away maybe in the ether of creativity, self-evident and awaiting discovery.
June 7 – Eastern NC Gospel Jubilee feat. the Glorifying Vines Sisters, Bishop Albert Harrison & the Gospel Tones, James Barrett & the Golden Jubilees, the Dedicated Men of Zion, plus special guests
Eastern NC is home to a thriving gospel tradition that has had both statewide and national influence. From quartet singing to sacred stride piano, the Eastern North Carolina Gospel Jubilee presents a revue of the spirit-raising sounds that have been the backbone of many North Carolina communities.
June 14 – Cool John Ferguson | Pat “Mother Blues” Cohen | Cookie McGee
Cool John Ferguson ranks “among the five greatest guitarists in the world. He is a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. He is with the ranks of Jimi Hendrix, Wes Montgomery, and Django Reinhardt.” – Taj Mahal
Pat “Mother Blues” Cohen throws down New Orleans style. The unofficially crowned Queen of the Bullpen has all the mettle, pathos, and ocean-deep compassion of Billie Holiday, Koko Taylor, and Etta James, with her own dramatic flair and wicked humor.
Cookie McGee grew up next to blues legend Freddie King in Dallas, TX and can shred the electric guitar with the best of them.
Learn about more summer concert series in the Triangle.
And here is a day-by-day list of upcoming outdoor concerts:
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