Musicians, politicians praise Harris for landmine charity work
When Senator Patrick J. Leahy presented singer-songwriter Emmylou Harris with his namesake humanitarian award Tuesday night at the Birchmere Music Hall in Alexandria, Virginia, he said her work on behalf of landmine victims might have touched more lives -- in more important ways -- than her vast body of beloved music.
Harris, who received the award from the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation for her creation and continued support of the Concerts for a Landmine Free World benefits, said it merely represented how blessed she is to be able "to give something back" in exchange for a career that brings her so much joy that "you really can't call it work."
Harris seemed even more humbled than usual by the shower of accolades from Leahy, VVAF president Bobby Muller and some of her closest musical friends including Steve Earle, Buddy and Julie Miller, Patty Griffin, Nanci Griffith, Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell, John Prine and Jamie O'Hara, all of whom performed at the benefit concert. Pal Mary Chapin Carpenter was unable to attend because of back problems, but sent flowers that adorned the stage of the intimate, 500-seat venue. Most of the artists had participated in earlier Landmine Free World concert tours and, like Harris, have visited countries devastated by landmines that still remain years after military conflicts have ended. Leahy has spearheaded efforts for a global landmine ban; VVAF aids civilian victims of those conflicts.
During a night that focused on the purest of musical elements -- lyrics, wooden guitars, and frequently, Harris' angelic soprano soaring in harmony with her equally talented friends -- she gave as much praise to her fellow activists and performers as they did to her.
"Really what I have done has been given the opportunity to reflect, or deflect, some of the light that shines on me because of the nature of my work, and shine it on these people, these causes, these situations," she said backstage. "I'm so, so grateful for the opportunity to be able to do that. Because that's the only way I know to be really thankful for my blessings. This is a really wonderful moment for me. And I'm so grateful to all my fantastic friends who made it possible."
The night contained few overtly political references or anti-war proselytizing, though Prine performed "Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven" and his 1970 tearjerker gem, "Hello in There," with its reference to parents who lost a son in Korea. Harris noted that her father was a World War II veteran and a Korean War POW, and that the show was occurring one day after Veterans Day as well as the twentieth anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial dedication. She talked about playing at the memorial's fifteenth anniversary five years ago and how listening to O'Hara sing his "50,000 Names" was "the most cathartic experience I've ever had in my career." As he performed the tune again, sniffles could be heard in the audience. Later, at Harris' request, Earle did "a song about faith," the title track from his new album, Jerusalem.
Earlier, Leahy cracked that everybody in Washington was in the room except U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, who "listens to Steve Earle all the time." The outspoken Earle has made his anti-war and anti-death penalty views well known in Washington.
Harris noted that "Jerusalem" provided a necessary note of hope, adding "we're in a very difficult time right now." Backstage she said, "I don't know whether [war is] inevitable or not. Certainly, the world is gonna change in some way pretty soon. I can't see the status quo staying the same."
But this was a night for positivity and humor, despite the profusion of sad love songs and achingly beautiful harmonies delivered on tunes such as Harris' "Prayer in Open D" (performed by the Millers as "Prayer in D" because, Buddy explained, "I can't play in open D").
For the encore, Harris brought out John Starling and Mike Auldrige, original members of the D.C.-area bluegrass band the Seldom Scene, for the Louvin Brothers' classic "Satan's Jeweled Crown," which she recorded on Elite Hotel.
The evening was probably best represented by comments delivered by Leahy. "There are thousands upon thousands of people in Southeast Asia, in Africa, in Central America, around the world, who are going to be helped by what you have done," he said. "They will never know you, they'll never hear your songs, they'll never know of your fame. They'll never be able to do anything to help you, but because you've helped them, their lives are immeasurably better. And how many people in life can say that?"
LYNNE MARGOLIS (November 13, 2002)