Freight Train Blues Music Series

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, N.C. Cotten’s style was unique and highly regarded by many musicians. Some of her best-known compositions, like “Freight Train” and “Shake Sugaree,” have been canonized into the repertoires of American popular culture.

The series honors Elizabeth Cotten’s contributions to American roots music by highlighting the cultural significance, diversity, and vitality of her North Carolina community and its connections to artists across the nation. Now in its fifth year, Freight Train Blues presents artists who continue Elizabeth Cotten’s legacy of tradition and innovation in the state of North Carolina.

These 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 outside alcohol will be permitted at the concerts.

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 Bourbon Street 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.