AmericanaFest 2023: Emmylou Harris and Rufus Wainwright Tell Their Stories During Insightful Interview

By Wil Comstock

MCAU Contributing Writer

Friday (Sept. 22) at the Westin

Friends of Folk: 

A Conversation with Emmylou Harris and Rufus Wainwright  

Moderated by Celia Gregory

     Emmylou Harris and Rufus Wainwright told their stories during an insightful interview at The Westin in downtown Nashville. 

     Emmylou met Rufus’ mother, Kate McGarrigle, through Linda Ronstadt.  Kate of the folk duo The McGarrigle Sisters wrote “Heart Like a Wheel,” which Linda recorded in the 1970s.  Harris recorded the Kate’s and sister Anna’s “Love Is” in the early 1980s, inviting them to Nashville to sing backing vocals, where a friendship was born.  

     Celia asked what impression they had of folk music growing up.  Wainwright responded, “I had no concept of the real world other than folk. My first crib was a guitar case.” Rufus’ father is folk singer Loudon Wainwright.  His parents divorced when he was 3 and he was raised by his mother in Montreal. 

     Harris said she had no concept of folk music at all.  In her teens she listened to a radio show out of DC that played folk, and she was hooked.  She asked her parents for a guitar and began to play the songs off the radio.  

     Rufus injected that he started out in folk and then explored opera and show tunes.  He recently returned to folk with his new album “Folkocracy.”

     Emmylou said that she wanted to write with people she loved.  She would invite Anna and Kate to Nashville to write and would travel to Montreal to visit them and write.  She loved that Kate and Loudon remained friends after their divorce and that their children all got along.  She felt embraced by this extended family that also included Richard and Linda Thompson.

     When asked if they felt their parents encouraged them in music, Rufus said his mother Kate gave him great confidence.  He told the story that when he was 6 months old, she would sing “Old McDonald,” and he would sing the “E, I, E, I, O.”  Rufus had his doubts if that was actually true.  

     Emmylou said her parents paid for piano and sax lessons when she was an adolescent. They knew she could carry a tune.  But they were strict.

     Celia asked if they encouraged their own children to go into music.  Wainwright admitted, “That is a difficult question. We live in LA, and the arts are all around us.  My daughter Viva, whose birth mother is Leonard Cohen’s daughter, has a nice voice.  We want her to make her own choices.” 

     Harris added, “The most important thing for your child, really all of us, is to find your passion.”

(Text by Wil Comstock)

(Photos by Chuck Whiting)

Follow us on all social media platforms @MusicCityArts

Americana Fest: Songs From Mercyland: Hymns For The Rest Of Us

By Wil Comstock

MCAU Contributing Writer

Mercyland Concert, 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22 at Downtown Presbyterian Church:

         I am so glad I attended this show. I enjoyed talking to people as we sat on the front steps of Downtown Presbyterian waiting for the doors to open. We shared our church backgrounds, or lack of…  What a treat once we were inside. The 1850s-era church was designed in the Egyptian revival style.

John Paul White and Emmylou Harris

         Phil Madeira, on guitar, hosted the show backed by the Red Dirt Boys, Emmylou Harris’ former band (Will Kimbrough, guitar; Chris Donohue, bass; and Bryan Owings, drums).

         Madeira is the man behind the CD “Mercyland. For this show, he rounded up some of the best and heartfelt musicians in town to join him. Among the guests were The McCrary Sisters, The Wood Brothers, John Paul White (The Civil Wars), Sarah Potenza (an alto like none other you have ever heard), and Emmylou Harris.

         To quote audience member Jake Burkhalter, “It's a joy and a rare treat in my otherwise humdrum life to be lifted up and reminded through song of the sublime beauty, sorrow, sacrifice, love and redemption that the world has to offer. Thank you!”  That sure sums it up for me. What a show!

'Nashville' Stars Close Out Tin Pan South with a Musical Show Dedicated to Saving Dogs

Saturday, First show at 3rd and Lindsley

The Musical World of ABC's "Nashville; Benefit for Bonaparte's Retreat

Starring the cast of 'Nashville'

Report from MCAU Contributing Writer Wil Comstock

         Leaving my part-time Saturday job early, I raced downtown to get in line for this much-anticipated show. Turning onto Lindsley, I immediately found a place to park. “Ahhh, the gods must be with me!” On foot rounding the corner onto 3^rd Ave. my heart sinks. The line extends at least three quarters of the way down the long office complex. MCAU Editor Chuck Whiting is saving a place for me somewhere in that long line, and now it is beginning to move into the now open venue! “Don’t panic, stay calm, you’ll get in”, I keep saying to myself as I scan the crowd for Chuck’s familiar face. Found him... whew!   Soon inside, I run upstairs while Chuck looks for seats on the ground floor. I quickly found a table in the corner, not a great view. I texted my buddy and waited, and waited. With my jacket over the chair to secure the table, I stepped to the balcony railing and began to search the crowd... where is Chuck? Finally a text, “ I have a table.” But where? Eventually looking down, I spot him just below me. He has a better view than I do, so I grab my jacket and fly down the stairs.   

         Emcee Emmylou Harris, the founder of Bonaparte’s Retreat, took the stage. (Bonaparte’s mission is to provide nurturing care for dogs when their allotted time at a shelter has elapsed... with the goal of placing the canines in the right home.) She welcomed everyone and introduced the first act, singer-songwriter Janet Dryer, who placed nine songs to date on the show "Nashville". Dryer opened with the haunting “This Town”, fueled by the ghostly chords of guitarist Colin Linden. I am really liking this girl! Twisting a familiar phrase, she said, “This is a song about love.” She then launched into “Love Don’t Conquer All”.  Janet said, “I and Loretta Lynn have the same hair stylist. The stylist told me every time Loretta comes in, she sits down and says, 'Honey, Jack it to Jesus and spray it to hell.'" I let those words roll around for a while in my head and finally came up with a song for Loretta.” The crowd cracked up listening to “Jack it to Jesus and Spray it to Hell”!   

 

Janet Dryer (Photo by Chuck Whiting)

         An explosion of shouts and applause erupted as Emmylou introduced heartthrob Chis Carmack ("Nashville’s" Will Lexington). Wearing a big smile and showing much appreciation, Chris rocked the house with “What If I Was Willing”. As the cheers died down, he asked if there were any bachelorette parties, and a few girls screamed. Carmack said, “My best friend Adam is here with his bachelor party. This next song, which will be in the 'Nashville' season finale, I wrote for his wedding.” Choking up, he continued, “It’s called 'Brothers'." The women responded with “awww” as Chris tenderly sang to his friend Adam, who was standing with friends at the bar. The "Nashville" star asked if anyone liked the blues. There were some whoops and hollers when he said he wanted to play his favorite B.B. King song. He slowly ground into “Sweet Little Angel”, trading off guitar solos with band leader Colin Linden. Who knew this guy was this talented?

Chris Carmack (Photo by Chuck Whiting)

 

         Chris introduced his ex TV wife Aubry Peebles (Layla Grant), who put a smile on all the guys' faces as she sweetly sang “She Don’t Have to Know”.

         Emmylou returned, introducing "Nashville’s" music director, Colin Linden, who in turn introduced the house band: Kevin McKendree on keys, Greg Kaplan on guitar and stringed instruments, Johnny Hammond on bass, and Gary Craig on drums. Colin picked up the ukulele and played “Knob and Tube”, the kick-off song on his 12th album "Rich in Love". His voice sounded familiar. Where have I heard bluesy, old-timey rock like this before... hmmm? The crowd was swaying, I was swaying. I looked over at Chuck, and he was swaying too, oh yeah! Linden, feeding off the audience, fired into the title cut off his new album, “Rich in Love”. Closing my eyes, I felt like I am sitting on the stoop outside an old country store on a hot Mississippi Delta afternoon. Colin told us, “My favorite band in history recorded this next song of mine... I was thrilled to meet Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, and Levon Helm when they cut 'Remedy'." Mystery solved. Colin is hugely influenced by one of my favorites groups, The Band.

 

Colin Linden (Photo by Chuck Whiting)

         Emmylou entered with a guitar to much applause. After her dog Bonaparte died in 2004, she went to the animal shelter and asked, “What dog is next?” (to be euthanized). They brought her Bella, who she adopted. Bella traveled with her all over the world and was the inspiration for the song she treated us to, “Bella”. We met three of the dogs now staying at Bonaparte’s, who are available for adoption.

Emmylou Harris introduces dogs rescued by Bonaparte's Retreat. (Photo by Chuck Whiting)

         A short-haired Clare Bowen (Scarlett O’Conner) and fiancé Brandon Young appeared on stage to much clapping and cheering. Their first song, “Long Runner”, brought the house down. Clare said the next song was one she wrote for her mother. I wasn't sure about the title, but it sure sounded great. It might be called “I’m Rolling, I’m Moving, I’m Shaking”... then again, it may not! I leaned over to Chuck and asked what the title was, but he shruged back at me.

Clare Bowen (Photo by Chuck Whiting)

         Clare introduced Jonathan Jackson (Avery Barkley), and once again the women start shouting. Jackson flashed a big smile, and strumed the opening chords to the rocker, “Don’t Ask Me Why”.

         Clare returned, dedicating her last song to all of the dogs at Bonaparte’s Retreat. With Colin Linden on acoustic guitar, she closed the evening with “When the Right One Comes Along”. Midway through, I ran out the door to get in line for the 9:30 show saying,"Burrr it’s cold out here!" But I didn't have any complaints about the show I'd just seen.

         Music City Arts Network is posting coverage and tweeting out messages about this year's Tin Pan South songwriting festival. Follow us http://www.Twitter.com/MusicCityArts and http://www.Facebook.com/MusicCityArts. Please share your TPS experiences with us.

'For The Love of Music' Tells Nashville's Story With 'Authentic' Hits and Misses

By Chuck Whiting

MCAU Editor

          During the 2013 Nashville Film Festival, Nashville CVB head Butch Spyridon exclaimed: "This is the coolest damn city in the world." 

          Just about all of us would agree. But when it comes to telling Nashville's story, the CVB's documentary "For The Love of Music"  has "authentic" hits and misses. It moves us... kinda.

          The hits: "For the Love Of Music" features an impeccable cast of artists, including The Black Keys, Fisk Jubilee Singers, Kings of Leon, Kris Kristofferson, Emmylou Harris, and a barefooted Vince Gill. All do an excellent job raving about Nashville's emergence as an "authentic, multi-genre city".

Kris Kristofferson

          
          The movie is likely to make musical and tourist waves in certain places when it airs on CMT. But it doesn't tell the whole story. Missing are a number of key ingredients: The Symphony's impact on the collaborative wonder of Nashville's musical landscape... the appreciation of CCM/gospel greats like Amy Grant (although Michael W. Smith was quoted briefly in the film)... the multitude of struggling songwriters who take nightclub stages every night (not just at the Bluebird) with the dream of landing a label or publishing deal. 

          The movie's focus is on the musicians and songwriters who've already made it. While this is probably the best direction to promote the city overall, it leaves a few "emotional" gaps in Nashville's story for me and some of the writers/musicians I work with. That opens the door for a sequel.