Buddy Miller, Emmylou Harris Keep Me Smiling
I'm still smiling from last night's (Aug. 10) show at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum with renowned singer-songwriter and musician, Buddy Miller. This was his first of three shows as this year's artist-in-residence, an annual series featuring a unique and influential musician. Throughout the captivating two-hour performance, the intimate and cozy Ford Theater became enveloped by musical wisdom and matchless talent. From the moment Miller picked up his guitar, accompanied by a small band, until he waved good night, his entire performance was staggering.
His set included "All My Tears," "Gasoline and Matches" and several songs with the powerful McCrary Sisters, including one of my favorites, "Worry Too Much." Their remarkable rendition of Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" left me, and I'm sure others, with our mouths completely agape. And never have I seen, heard or known anyone that could play a tambourine like sister Regina McCrary.
The evening also featured Country Music Hall of Fame members Tom T. Hall and Emmylou Harris. Hall's alluring onstage banter was equally as charming as his narrative song, "Pay No Attention to Alice," and what he called his encore, his 1969 hit, "Homecoming." And to top off the evening, Harris, a beautiful class-act, joined Miller for the heartbreakingly magnificent, "Love Hurts" and "Don't Tell Me," among others. I can still remember my mother piping in Best of Emmylou Harris from our basement speakers when I was a little girl. I couldn't wait to call her following the show where I proceeded to recap every detail down to Emmylou's stylish boots. When I talked to my mother again this morning, she asked me, "Have you settled down yet?"
One of my friends summed up the experience by telling me afterwards, "This is why we live in Nashville." I couldn't agree with him more. This was a night of country music that I will never forget.
Photo courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Photo by Donn Jones.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
solongsowrong says:
What an honor for the Artist of the Decade.
Peacock Queen says:
I have been listening to Emmylou’s “Angel Band” album all day. It is amazing. What a voice. Very few can compare to her raw, pure vocals. Simply stunning is all I can say.
D Trotter says:
A couple of true National Treasures. So sad this performance couldn’t be seen and appreciated by the much larger audience they deserve.
Ollie says:
D Trotter- FYI. Here’s a link to an article about the evening on the CMHOF web site with links to video of Buddy Miller performing “Love Hurts” with Emmylou, “Gasoline and Matches” and “Somewhere Trouble Don’t Go” with The McCrary Sisters, and “That’s How I Got To Memphis” http://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/artist-in-residence/
Leeann Ward says:
I wish I could have been at that show. Two wonderful artists, especially Emmylou.
sunkie says:
What a wonderful night. Living in Nashville has so much to offer. But those of us who can’t, can live through your writing. It sounds like a wonderful night and I too am a fan of Emmylou.
D Trotter says:
Ollie, thanks, great stuff. I missed Julie a little bit on “Gasoline and Matches” - just LOVE that tune!
“Love Hurts” is just a beautiful song, one of my favorites ever since the Everly’s cut it at two different tempos.Even Nazareth’s angst-ridden version was cool.
THIS version probably ranks right after Emmylou and Gram Parson’s masterpiece.
Anyway, thank you so much!