Our picks for country, bluegrass and contemporary shows this month
Festival for the Eno
Since it first began in 1979, the annual Festival for the Eno has raised awareness of and money for preservation of bottom land along the Eno River. A Triangle institution, the festival will celebrate its 39th year July 4 and July 7. Economic issues no longer support national acts such as Emmylou Harris, Jimmy Martin, and Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. Still, this year’s festival offers more than 70 bands performing on five stages. Crafts on display and for sale, food concessions, and an array of nonprofit organizations supporting environmental and social concerns provide educational and artistic opportunities for children and adults.
Details: July 4 and 7, West Point on the Eno City Park, Durham. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. $11- $35. enofest.org or 919-620-9099.
Pierce Pettis
Pierce Pettis is a songwriter’s songwriter. During his days in Chapel Hill and Greensboro, Pettis was a popular fixture on local stages. Yet his songs found national audiences, recorded by Claire Lynch, Art Garfunkle, fellow songwriter David Wilcox and others. With a new CD slated for release on quality Compass Records, Pettis has a careers-worth of material to draw from, and a legion of fans eager to hear them.
Details: July 13, Cat’s Cradle Back Room, 8 pm. $15. catscradle.com or 919-967-9053
The Punch Brothers
The 1980s had their bluegrass supergroup with Strength in Numbers. As their artistic descendents, the Punch Brothers is today’s supergroup, an acoustic quintet featuring mandolin great Chris Thile, banjo innovator Noam Pikelny, guitarist Chris Eldridge, fiddler Gabe Witcher and bassist Paul Kowert. Together, they infuse bluegrass-roots music with equal measures of instrumental and compositional brilliance. Their newly-released CD, “All Ashore,” is available on the Nonesuch label.
Details: July 22, Durham Performing Arts Center, 8 pm. $35-$55+. punchbrothers.com or 919-680-2787
Keith Urban
He hails from Australia, but multiple Grammy winner Keith Urban has taken country music to the top with his fiery guitar, lyrical songs and Entertainer of the Year concerts. Urban has also emerged as spokesman for country music by contributing to many charitable causes and serving as ambassador to the Country Music Foundation. His latest CD, “Graffiti U,” will be showcased on his current tour.
Details: July 27, Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek. 7:30. $39-$113+ or walnutcreekamphitheatre.com or 919-831-6400