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Musical Influences and the Journey to Discovery

Recently, I got to thinking of how I've discovered some of my favorite musicians/singers/songwriters, and I cam to the conclusion that it all started with Emmylou Harris. I say Emmy in the '70s in Montreal where she was on a bill with James Taylor - and Emmylou blew the audience away (I don't even remember Taylor's performance).

From that day forward, Emmy was my greatest musical influence/idol. And from Emmylou, I found Gram Parsons. Oh! My! God! Never had I heard such raw talent. And Gram brought me to the Burritos, the Eagles, the Byrds... and the list goes on.

Back to Emmylou; and then Ricky Skaggs, Rodney Crowell. From Rodney, Roseanne Cash and Carlene Carter.

In later years, Emmy brought me to Kieran Kane. And the list goes on. I could go influence by influence, but it all comes back to Emmylou Harris.

Anyone else care to share their musical journey from artist to artist? Maybe I can discover some new favorites (oh, yes, Alison Krauss!).

Tags: Emmylou, Harris

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Permalink Reply by Jack Williams on October 30, 2012 at 7:34am

Yes.

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Permalink Reply by Randy S on January 10, 2013 at 5:53pm

The Grateful Dead- American Beauty and Workingman's Dead, as well as their many covers of country songs...combined with CSN and Dylan.. and the greatest Americana band - The Band....led me to a later love of Americana..then Alison Krauss and Union Station...the sweet sounds of Jerry Douglas dobro...or Bruce Springsteen's appreciation of the great artists like Woody Guthrie...or falling in love with the Jayhawks, and loving the great writing of John Prine with an apprwciation of Steve Goodman... Emmy Lou and her family tree all add to it... recognizing Johnny Cash andWillie Nelson as American icons...and Willie..wow what a treasure...but knowing the Dead's vast appreciation for the American songbook helped me to the Americana road greatly... the sounds of wood and steel, so sweet...plus vocals and harmonies...