Music in the Gardens
Phil Cook Southland Revue: Trials, Troubles & Heartaches

Monday, June 22, 2015 | 7:00 pm

Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Durham-based Americana music savant Phil Cook is poised to launch a fruitful solo career after more than a decade playing with bands DeYarmond Edison, Megafaun, and the Shouting Matches — during that time he also music directed projects for the Blind Boys of Alabama, Alice Gerrard, and Amy Ray. For this special three-night revue, Cook gathers a select group of friends including Frazey Ford, Charlie Parr, Heather McEntire, Christy Smith, The Branchettes, Jeanne Jolly, and Amelia Meath, along with members of his newly assembled touring band, The Guitarheels, for an expansive and joyful musical swing through the American South.

The first evening in Phil Cook’s Southland Revue showcases a staple of classic Southern music: the sweetheart duet. Backed by The Guitarheels, Phil will be joined in song by Frazey Ford, formerly of the Be Good Tanyas, and now an acclaimed solo artist possessed of a “warm, smoky, and soulful voice” (The Washington Post). The evening also features Heather McEntire, of Mount Moriah, “in whose tough yodels you can hear one of country music’s central paradoxes: showing how hurt you are by talking about how you’ll never get hurt again” (SPIN), Jeanne Jolly, “a country singer who takes the heartache of the genre to octaves rarely heard in the land of twang” (Democrat & Chronicle), and Christy Smith of The Tender Fruit, a polished purveyor of “high-lonesome country vocals, as well as starker, sweeter folk ruminations” (Stephen Deusner).

Music in the Gardens concerts take place rain or shine on the lawn behind the Gardens’ Visitor Center. Lawn chairs, picnics, and blankets are encouraged. Dogs are not allowed. Outside food and beverages, including beer and wine, are permitted and also will be available for purchase on-site. The lawn will open at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the show.

Music in the Gardens presentations are excluded from Pick-Four discount.

Duke Performances’ Music in the Gardens is made possible, in part, with support from Duke Continuing Studies, Duke Summer Session, and the Sarah P. Duke Gardens.