By David Menconi Just west of Hillsborough’s Churton Street main drag, the first block of West Tryon is like a trip back in time. That’s where you’ll find Hillsborough’s Old Town Cemetery, final resting place of some of North Carolina’s most notable long-ago politicians. It’s the home address of renowned novelist Allan Gurganus, celebrated author… Read More →
down on copperline
Down on Copperline: Billie Feather
By David Menconi Check the “Current Bands” section of Billie Feather’s website, and you’ll see no less than eight acts covering everything from bluegrass to punk. She also does the occasional guitar-tech gig and teaches pretty much any stringed instrument – guitar, bass, mandolin, ukulele and banjo (three-finger picking as well as old-time frailing) –… Read More →
Down on Copperline: Kirk Ross
By David Menconi Chapel Hill musician Kirk Ross leads something of a double life, political reporter by day and rock star by night – except, of course, for those times when the legislature’s session runs into late-night hours, or a storm is coming. Covering calamities from 2016’s infamous HB2 “Bathroom Bill” to this year’s Hurricane… Read More →
Down on Copperline: Celebrating Rocktober with Wes Collins
By David Menconi If you ever find yourself at Pittsboro’s Chatham Community Library and come face to face with librarian Wes Collins, don’t worry if he has a far-away look in the eyes – he’s probably just writing another song. The Chapel Hill resident is one of the best songwriters in the Triangle’s vital Americana… Read More →
Down on Copperline: Carrboro Music Festival
By David Menconi For such a definitively local Orange County institution, the annual Carrboro Music Festival has some origins that qualify as downright worldly. The festival began more than two decades ago, in 1998 as the local branch of a larger international festival called Fete de La Musique. It happened around the summer solstice in… Read More →