Freight Train Blues celebrates the life and legacy of Piedmont blues legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2022 Inductee, Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten, born in 1893 in Carrboro, NC.

This concert 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.

Music Maker Foundation and the Town of Carrboro present the tenth annual Freight Train Blues concert series. Join us from 6:30-8:30 pm on May 3rd-June 21st, 2023 for eight FREE Friday evening concerts featuring incredible roots musicians steeped in the diverse traditions of the Carolina Piedmont!

May 3: Mangum & Company and Terry “Harmonica” Bean
May 10: Gail Ceasar, Javier Montano, and Lakota John Locklear
May 17: Music Maker Blues Revue feat. Albert White, Pat “Mother Blues” Cohen, and Jimbo Mathus 
May 24: Jr. Weaver Gospel Singers, Legendary Singing Stars
May 31: Charly Lowry and Viv and Riley
June 7: Orquesta GarDel
June 14: Blue Ridge Opry hosted by Kelley Breiding
June 21: The Sacred Soul of North Carolina Revue feat. The Glorifying Vines, Bishop Albert Harrison & the Gospel Tones, Jerry Harrison & Faith, and Dave Hargrove & Company

The series is a collaboration among the Music Maker Foundation; the Town of Carrboro; North Carolina Public Radio - WUNC 91.5, and The Forests at Duke. Funding for this year’s series was also provided by the North Carolina Arts Council’s Spark the Arts initiative.