On Saturday, July 21, we present Pittsboro-based singer/songwriter Wes Collins as he releases his second album, "Welcome to the Ether."

2015 Kerrville Grassy Hill New Folk winner Wes Collins calls his music “guitar driven folk-pop with teeth”. He released his debut album, One Layer Down, in 2013 and is just about done writing the next one (look for it in the Spring of 2018). Since appearing at Kerrville, Wes has played throughout the Southwest, from the legendary Bluebird Cafe in Nashville to a formal showcase at the Southwest Regional Folk Alliance Conference in Austin. Last year Wes took second place in Moravia Texas's 2017 Songwriter Serenade and received a songwriting fellowship from the North Carolina Arts Council.

“His skill with the guitar makes the most of his imaginative arrangements and nuanced control of cadence and phrasing, underscoring the subtlety and bite of his lyrics. He credits many other singer/songwriters in his musical tent as inspiration, including Neil Finn, Gillian Welch, Bruce Cockburn, and Patty Griffin, but Collins is well on his way to establishing his own voice as one we should value.” — North Carolina Arts Council

Opening the show for Wes is Mary Bragg, winner of the 2017 MerleFest Chris Austin Songwriting Contest. She has also been honored in such prestigious songwriting contests as Kerrville New Folk, Telluride Troubadour, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, Wildflower! Festival, and the International Songwriting Competition.

“Sublime distilling of southern grit… subtly refining the folk-country singer-songwriter template.” -Jewly Hight (NPR Music)

If we had a gate, it would open at 7:30 pm. Feel free to show up earlier than that, even, if you just want to enjoy the weather, have a picnic, or just hang out.

Doodad Farm never charges for entry to concerts, though we do request that our guests donate as they are able. Every penny of donations goes straight to the performers. We think $10-15 is a reasonable donation for this show. There will also be an opportunity to buy CDs, and that's an even better way to contribute.

Other details: • Kids, dogs, and even mothers-in-law are always welcome as long as they behave themselves. • This is an outside, farm like setting (thus the name). Dress like you’re going camping and you’ll be fine. • We never allow weapons of any sort at the farm. If you think you need to protect yourself, you’re in the wrong place. • Bring your own beverages, and consume them responsibly. • If you’re a sitter, bring a chair. If you forget, we have some extras. • Smoking is permitted as long as you don’t bother anyone or do any butt-dropping. • Please clean up after yourself and treat the Farm as if it’s your own (in a way, it is!). • Portable toilets and drinking water will be available. • Let someone help you park, especially if the field is wet.