Carrboro: Rachael Yamagata

She packed a wallop belting her signature seductive songs in raspy soul. Folk-rock singer-songwriter Rachael Yamagata nailed it Saturday evening at the Cat's Cradle, only rivaled by her endearing stage banter. From behind draping locks, she alternated between new tunes and classics from Happenstance that a decade ago catapulted her career. Nearing the culmination of the concert, the crowd hushed and Jeremy (striped shirt below) -- who lip-synched ditty after ditty in the audience -- piped in softly harmonizing with Rachael. Applause and whistles from the crowd....he made Carrboro proud.

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(photograph taken at the Cat's Cradle Back Room on Main Street in Carrboro) 

Around Town: Willie Watson

One man. Two string instruments. And a slew of strumming ditties.

Willie Watson hypnotized a standing room of folks with a crisp tenor voice and dancing fingers -- armed only with a worn banjo and rhythm guitar. The former member of Old Crow Medicine Show rocked a sold-out show with an encore performance at the Cat's Cradle last night (July 16). Watson, who at one point called the outskirts of Boone home, is on tour supporting his solo album Folk Singer Vol.1.

The photo above was taken as Watson finished his cigarette and walked by the queue of people to get on stage.

(photograph taken at Cat's Cradle on Main Street in Carrboro)