Emmylou Harris to Be Honored at All-Star Show in Washington
Although she’s been releasing her own records for nearly half a century, Emmylou Harris is perhaps best known as roots music’s ultimate duet partner. The Red Dirt Girl has teamed up with everyone from Bob Dylan to Beck, making friends with multiple generations of folkies and country-rockers along the way. Now, with a follow-up to Old Yellow Moon, her Grammy-winning record with Rodney Crowell, reportedly in the works, Harris is being honored by many of her former collaborators at a January 2015 tribute show in Washington, D.C.
Scheduled for January 10th at DAR Constitution Hall, “The Life & Songs of Emmylou Harris: An All-Star Concert Celebration” will do just what its name promises: shine a light on the career of a country trailblazer by turning to more than 15 artists who’ve either shared the stage with Harris or followed in her footsteps. The list is extensive, featuring names like Kris Kristofferson, Sheryl Crow, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Mavis Staples, Martina McBride, John Hiatt, Lucinda Williams, Trampled by Turtles, Steve Earle, Patty Griffin, Rodney Crowell, Iron & Wine, Shawn Colvin, Shovels & Rope, Joan Baez, Sara Watkins and the Milk Carton Kids. More artists are expected to be added in the coming weeks. The backing band includes plenty of familiar faces, too, particularly music directors Don Was and Buddy Miller.
The show was created by Keith Wortman, who kicked off 2014 by producing a similarly star-studded concert honoring Gregg Allman. Before shifting his full attention to Harris, he’ll also produce next week’s Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute, whose lineup includes Jason Isbell, Cheap Trick, Peter Frampton and Blackberry Smoke. Like both of those shows, the Emmylou Harris concert will be filmed and recorded for future release.
Finally, having so many potential duet partners in the same room has apparently proven too enticing for Harris, who won’t only be a guest of honor at the January tribute — she’ll also be performing. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.