UNC Awaits Return of Local Celebrity for Union Concert

Whatever the metaphor, the hope for fame and fortune is something a lot of students obsess over during their time in college.

But for former UNC student Tift Merritt, a burgeoning musical career that has led to an appearance on "The Late Show with David Letterman" and an upcoming article in Vanity Fair has ensured her greatest dream -- the ability to come back and play for a hometown crowd.

Merritt plays the Great Hall in the Student Union for the first time in a concert at 9 p.m. Saturday.

A twangy hybrid of Lucinda Williams and Emmylou Harris, Merritt's musical style began to form at UNC, where she was an American studies major and a creative writing minor.

"I actually met our drummer (Zeke Hutchins) in an American history class, and we put our band together after we met," Merritt said.

Their group, formerly known as the Carbines, knocked about the local music scene for several years, playing at such venues as Cat's Cradle.

Merritt's new album, Bramble Rose, dropped in May and began receiving widespread attention. She and her band are touring to promote the album.

"We've toured all over the States and in England and Holland," Merritt said.

But all of this new attention hasn't impressed the North Carolina girl, who still speaks with her soft native drawl.

"It was just one night on 'Letterman,' and the Vanity Fair shoot was one day in the string of a lot of other things, so it's not as glamorous as it appears to be," Merritt said.

The scheduling of Merritt's performance Saturday was a bit of an unglamorous fluke. Whitney Parris, a member of the Carolina Union Activities Board, said Merritt wanted to play Cat's Cradle on this tour.

But because the Cradle was already booked, its staff turned to CUAB to accommodate Merritt. Parris said CUAB was thrilled with the opportunity.

"We view it as sort of a homecoming for her. She's returning to her roots," Parris said.

Merritt herself is excited about the concert. Her parents, who still live in Raleigh, plan to be there Saturday.

"It's going to be great for us to be playing at home," Merritt said. "It'll be your normal mix of old and new and the things we're having a good time playing."

An upcoming break may give her time for more shows in the Triangle -- and time to finish her undergraduate degree, which was incomplete when Merritt left UNC with nine credit hours to fulfill.

"I'm trying to do an independent study right now so I can (graduate)," she said with a slight grumble. "I have to do a geology with a lab."

She said that she doesn't recommend leaving school, and if history has taught her anything, it's been the value of authenticity. Commercial success may take her to far-flung regions and the top of the Country Music Television video rotation, but she still sticks with what works.

"My band and I have always been about making the show as good as it can be," Merritt said.

Tickets for Saturday's show are available at the Union Box Office for $5 for students and $10 for the general public.

The Arts & Entertainment Editor can be reached at artsdesk@unc.edu.