Emmylou Harris gives keynote interview at Americana fest

The interview, conducted by Tennessean Senior Music Writer Peter Cooper, is presented in partnership with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

The AMA and the museum also partnered for two additional conference-week programs on Nov. 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.

"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."

The two programs at the Museum will explore the creative process. At noon, 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 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.