A who’s who of North Carolina musicians record new music to help save the Cat’s Cradle

For 50 years, the Cat’s Cradle has been one of the Triangle’s top music destinations for both up-and-coming and national acts alike.

With the coronavirus pandemic shutting down the Cat’s Cradle, and entertainment venues all over, some of the state’s biggest musicians want to make sure that continues.

Friday, an album featuring some of North Carolina’s most well-known artists will be released to benefit the Carrboro music venue as it struggles during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Cover Charge: NC Artists Go Under Cover To Benefit Cat’s Cradle,” a 25-track digital-only album, features cover songs by Chatham County Line, Hiss Golden Messenger, Superchunk and other artists, according to a news release. Each performs a cover version of one of their favorite songs.

All proceeds from sales will go back to the venue.

The Cat’s Cradle, like most other venues, was forced to cancel a slate of upcoming concerts because of the pandemic.

“When it is safe to get together to watch live music again, it will be a disaster for all of us if our favorite venues aren’t around to host the artists we love,” said Mac McCaughan, a member of the band Superchunk, in the release. “I literally grew up seeing bands at the Cat’s Cradle and playing there with all my bands, going back to high school.”

The venue, owned by Frank Heath, celebrated its 50th anniversary in December and January. Over the years, the Cat’s Cradle has hosted artists including Nirvana, Public Enemy, Joan Baez and Iggy Pop.

Cat’s Cradle struggling during pandemic

The independent venue, a standing-room-only venue with a capacity of 750 people, “is in trouble,” according to the press release.

“With its concert calendar canceled and the building shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the club is struggling to cover rent and basic overhead costs,” it says.

Cat’s Cradle joined hundreds of music venues nationwide in April to form the National Independent Venue Association. The organization is advocating for the survival of independent venues during the coronavirus pandemic.

Four people organized the album release: Florence Dore, a singer on the album; Shawn Nolan, an entertainment attorney who represents some of the album’s artists; and Steve Balcom and Lane Wurster, two former music industry executives.

The album brings together artists from across genres and decades. Some of the artists include Mandolin Orange, Steep Canyon Rangers, Tift Merritt, The Old Ceremony and Iron and Wine.

The song covers include “Can’t Stop the World” by The Go-Go’s, “Don’t Let It Bring You Down” by Neil Young and “Dress You Up” by Madonna.

“We truly couldn’t imagine the Triangle without the Cradle,” said Django Haskins, a member of the group The Old Ceremony, in the release. “The Cradle has been our home since the band started in 2004 ... They didn’t flinch when we had a bill with a sitar duo or an improv comedy act or an action painter.”

Matt McMichaels from the rock band The Mayflies USA said in the release that Carrboro without Cat’s Cradle is “unthinkable.”

“Learning about this effort to assist the Cradle, has just reinforced another wonderful thing that we really already knew,” Heath, the owner of Cat’s Cradle, said in the release,” that so many of the Triangle’s great artists and musicians are also amazing and caring people.”

The album is available to pre-order for $25 on Bandcamp, an online music website. For details, go to coverchargemusic.com.