Of Pedigrees And Pizzazz

There are two distinct sides of Elizabeth Cook.

One, who has been performing at the Grand Ole Opry for 10 years, works over country standards with joy.

The other is the fierce singer-songwriter who recorded the underground country hit “Sometimes it Takes Balls to be a Woman” for her 2007 album “Balls.”

“Some of those songs have been unequivocally banned (from the Opry),” Cook says by phone before a show in Colorado. “But one is as much a part of me as the other.”

She’ll showcase her combined talents twice in the area, first on Wednesday at Second Street Live in Fort Smith and again Thursday at George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville.

Traditional music runs deep for Cook, and her biography reads like it was lifted from an old country song. Her father spent time in prison, and her mother taught her song lyrics. All the while, she lived in one of those mythical-sounding small towns - in her case, Wildwood, Fla. - that find their way into so many country songs.

Her latest album, the critically acclaimed 2010 release “Welder,” finds her in touch with both familial issues (such as with “Mama’s Funeral” and “Heroin Addict Sister”) and her more risque side (“Snake in the Bed,” “Girlfriend Tonight,” “El Camino”). During the recording process, she was joined by notable guests including her songwriterhusband, Tim Carroll, and performers such as Buddy Miller, Rodney Crowell and Dwight Yoakam.

The album made several best-of-the-year lists and was nominated for honors at the Americana Music Association awards, though she failed to win in a year that was largely swept by former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant and his Band of Joy.

Cook continues to work on new projects, among them a nearly complete “strange cover record” that she admits her label isn’t thrilled about. She is no stranger to such works, however, having recorded a sad, country-style telling of The Velvet Underground’s “Sunday Morning” for the “Balls” album.

Cook also balances her recording and performingtime with a show called “Apron Strings” on satellite radio. The show, which appears on Sirius XM’s Outlaw Country station, finds Cook talking about her home, her recordings andmusic by other artists she loves.

When the artist visits for her two shows in Arkansas, she says it will be her first tour stop in this state.

“I’m sick and tired ofpassing through on my way to Texas,” she says.

Cook says the new year will include an expansion of her roles in other outlets, including several acting and voice-over gigs.