Emmylou Harris
There are few more distinct, more beautiful, or more versatile voices in music than Emmylou Harris's. Her career began as an uphill battle, as she fought against the dying folk movement, a failing marriage, and single motherhood. Her first album, Gliding Bird, was lost in the morass of a bankrupt label; faced with her divorce and caring for her daughter, Emmylou moved back with her parents on a farm outside of D.C. It was there she formed a trio with Gerry Mule and Tom Guidera; and, as luck would have it, one evening in 1971 they performed before a crowd which included members of the Flying Burrito Brothers. Chris Hillman, currently leading the Burritos, was impressed by Harris and introduced her to the Burritos' founder, formidable Americana pioneer, Gram Parsons. She provided backup vocals for his first two albums.
Parsons' untimely death in 1973 changed Harris's direction. Instead of moving west she remained in D.C., where she formed the Angel Band. In 1975 she recorded her acclaimed Pieces of the Sky. A steady stream of albums followed, as well as vocal work with such diverse artists as Bob Dylan, Dolly Parton, George Jones, and Neil Young. She remains a driving force in Americana and country music.
Previous Grammy Wins:
- Best Country Vocal Performance, Female - Elite Hotel - 1976
- Best Country Vocal Performance, Female - Blue Kentucky Girl - 1979
- Best Country Performance Duo Or Group (with Roy Orbison) - "That Lovin' You Feelin' Again" - 1980
- Best Country Vocal Performance, Female - "In My Dreams" - 1984
- Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal (with Dolly Parton & Linda Ronstadt) - Trio - 1987
- Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal (Emmylou Harris & the Nash Ramblers) - Emmylou Harris & the Nash Ramblers At the Ryman - 1992
- Best Country Collaboration With Vocals (with Clint Black, Joe Diffie, Merle Haggard, Alison Krauss, Patty Loveless, Earl Scruggs, Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, Pam Tillis, Randy Travis, Travis Tritt & Dwight Yoakam) - "Same Old Train" - 1998
- Best Country Collaboration With Vocals (with Linda Ronstadt & Dolly Parton) - "After The Gold Rush" - 1999
Current Grammy Nominations:
- Best Country Vocal Performance, Female - The Very Best of Emmylou Harris: Heartaches & Highways
- Best Country Collaboration With Vocals - (with Rodney Crowell) - "Shelter from the Storm"
(Bio courtesy of Kathy Coleman)
