Oct 16
Emmylou Harris to give keynote interview at Americana Conference
Emmylou HarrisNashville, Tenn. — Legendary artist Emmylou Harris will give the keynote interview on Friday, November 2, during the Eighth Annual Americana Music Festival and Conference (Oct. 31 - Nov. 3, 2007). The interview, which will be conducted by Tennessean Senior Music Writer Peter Cooper, is presented in partnership with the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. In addition to the keynote program, the AMA and the Museum have partnered for two additional conference-week programs on November 3 at the Museum: a songwriter session featuring Texas troubadour Ray Wylie Hubbard; and Picks and Pens: Where Writing and Music Meet, a discussion and performance featuring William Gay, Silas House, Chris Knight and Scott Miller.
If there’s a reigning queen of Americana, it’s Emmylou Harris, the sublime vocalist and 12-time Grammy winner who internalized the legacy of Gram Parsons, shook up country radio in the 1970s, and interpreted the work of dozens of great songwriters, all while becoming a formidable songwriter herself and selling more than 15 million records. The 4 p.m.-5 p.m. keynote interview will take place at the Nashville Convention Center and is open only to Americana Conference Registrants.
“We at the AMA are thrilled on two levels,” said Executive Director Jed Hilly. “To have an artist with the integrity of Emmylou Harris graciously give her time for the benefit of our members is humbling, and to partner with a prestigious organization like the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum shows us Americana Music has no boundaries.”
“We always strive to educate our audiences about the breadth and depth of country music, its many facets and influences,” said Museum Director Kyle Young.” Americana music, which embraces music in all of its root forms, is very representative of that vast scope, and we’re pleased to offer these programs to AMA registrants and our own visitors.”
On Saturday, November 3, the two organizations will present a pair of programs at the Museum that explore the creative process. At noon, iconic singer-songwriter Ray Wylie Hubbard will take the stage at the Museum’s Ford Theater for a special Songwriter Session. The Texan has been collaborating with filmmaker Tiller Russell (Bad Boys of Summer, One Strong Arm) on a new film, The Last Rites of Ransom Pride, inspired by the work of directors Sam Peckinpah and John Ford. “It’s gritty and real while also being funny and cool,” Hubbard said. “We are striving to make the music like another character in the movie.” During the Songwriter Session, Hubbard will talk about his work on the project, show a trailer, and play some songs written for the film.
At 2:00 p.m., novelists William Gay (Twilight, The Long Home, Provinces of Night) and Silas House (A Parchment of Leaves, The Coal Tattoo, Clay’s Quilt) will join singer-songwriters Chris Knight (The Trailer Tapes, Enough Rope) and Scott Miller (Reconstruction, Citation) in a round-robin swap of stories and songs. The discussion will center on how artists working in one medium draw inspiration from the works of artists working in another. Following the program, Gay, House, Knight and Miller will sign autographs in the Museum Store.
Slated for Wednesday, October 31, through Saturday, November 3, the Eighth Annual Americana Festival and Conference will offer daily seminars, panels and networking opportunities at the Nashville Convention Center. Each evening brings stacked Americana showcases to key venues throughout Nashville. One ticket to the November 1 Americana Honors and Awards show held at the Ryman Auditorium is included in each conference registration packet. The general public may now also purchase tickets for the ceremony through the Ryman and Ticketmaster outlets for $35 each. $30 wristbands granting admission to all evening showcases are also available to non-members of the Association. To learn more about becoming a member of the Americana Music Association, access detailed conference schedules and buy tickets, please visit www.americanamusic.org
About the Americana Music Association: The Americana Music Association is a professional trade organization whose mission is to provide a forum for the advocacy of Americana music and to promote public awareness of the genre to support the creative and economic viability of professionals in this field. Dedicated to building and promoting the genre and the individuals who participate in that industry, the Americana Music Association works closely with artists, labels, radio stations, retailers, print media, festivals, agents, publishers and more to help organize and build the infrastructure necessary for the Americana genre to achieve success both creatively and financially.
–From the Country Music Hall of Fame Website
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