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Emmylou's Blues
After four decades in the business, Emmylou Harris has managed to remain true to the music she loves- and to those who have come and gone- by ERIK REECE
Emmylou Harris does not need a doorbell. The twelve-time Grammy winner has four barking dogs that let her know I'm standing on the antebellum portico of her two-story brick home that sits roughly where Redoubt No. 3 of the Confederate Army was routed in the Civil War's Battle of Nashville.
"I hope you like dogs," Harris says as she tries to corral the canines into a side room where her mother, who lives with Harris and turns ninety this year, sits in a recliner. "This is my mother, Genie," she says by way of introduction. We both smile and shake hands. Then Harris turns to me and says, "Actually, it's Eugenia-that's a good Southern name, isn't it?"
Emmylou was born to Walter and Eugenia Harris on April 2, 1947, in Birmingham, Alabama, and while she grew up a "service brat" in the suburbs of D.C., that early Southern landscape has lingered in her imagination. Fifty-three years later, she called her first album of almost all original songs "Red Dirt Girl"; in April, Harris released her third album of mostly originals, "Hard Bargain", and she is about to embark on a summer tour with her band, the Red Dirt Boys.
An aging black Lab pokes her nose against my leg. "This is Bella," Harris says, but I recognize her already from a song on Hard Bargain, "Big Black Dog." Over a thumping bass, Harris sings, "Found her one day down there at the Metro... Waiting in a cage in line for the death row." She rescued Bella from that fate, and gratitude still seems to lurk deep in the black Lab's eyes.
Visit our blog to read the rest of Reece's great article on Emmylou published in this issue of Garden & Gun!
Garden & Gun
-Erik Reece |
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Templeton Thompson
Kickstart the Icy Blue Heart
"As a singer/songwriter, I've been inspired by artists like Bonnie Raitt, Linda Rondstadt, Emmylou Harris, John Hiatt, the Eagles, Dan Fogelberg, and more. This "Icy Blue Heart" project is a chance for me to record songs that I love and grew up on; and, I guess in some ways, it's a chance for me to say thanks to the folks who've inspired, and continue to inspire me, as an artist. Not only that, it's a chance for me to include everyone out there who has supported my music in the past, and folks I don't even know yet, in the process of making this new album. I say this all of the time, but I say it because it's true- I wouldn't be able to do what I absolutely LOVE doin' without the people who buy our music, book us to play shows, and who sometimes let us crash on their futons or in their tee pees- seriously! So, thanks so much in advance for everything!
 | | Templeton Thompson's Icy Blue Heart Album Kickstarter Project |
It was the Icy Blue Heart show we did earlier this summer with some incredibly talented players, singers, and performers that inspired this new project. Instead of performing my original material that night, I sang songs by many of my musical heroes. I had so much fun, and it got me thinking that we should take some of those performances, record a few more songs in that vein, and release it all as an album. That's exactly what we're doing, and I'm hoping that y'all will help play a role in making it all come together. We're working away on the album, and your support, no matter your level of involvement, will allow us to finish it out the way we'd like to. With your help, we'll be able to finish recording and mixing the album, to license the songs and pay royalties to the writers of the songs we're recording and releasing, to manufacture the new cd, and to reward y'all with opportunities we wouldn't normally be able to provide!
Thanks oodles for stoppin' by my kickstarter project page, and thanks so much for your support. It means the world to me, to my man Sam, and to our whole herd. I'll be checkin' in often as this cool, "Icy Blue" journey rolls along. I'm really hopin' y'all dig my choice of tunes for this new album and for my horse lovin' friends, well, bein' the horse crazy cowgirl that I am, there's bound to be at least one horse song in the mix!"
Templeton is an independent Nashville singer/songwriter & touring artist originally from the lone star state. When she's not making music, she's playing with horses. Her song "settle down cinderella" is featured in the 20th Century Fox movie Dr. Doolittle 3 & her song "i love to run" is featured in the Emmy award winning documentary, Sculpting the Wind: Alexa King & the Making of the Barbaro Memorial Statue. Music Row Magazine's Robert Oermann says of her song "girls & horses," "The catches and breaks in her soprano are as ear-catching as the lilting melody." Templeton's music has been featured in Cowboys & Indians magazine as well as in other national publications. She's all about giving back & LOVES to promote causes she believes in, in fact, she's a VERY proud ambassador for EAGALA (the Equine Assisted Growth & Learning Association) & the difference making work they do, for people & horses.
Templeton Thompson
Dickson, Tennessee
713-248-7840 |
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Texas Music Chart
Your Guide to Texas and Red Dirt Music
The Texas Music Chart is full of new songs this week, including "I Gotta Go" by Texas icon Robert Earl Keen at #28. Curtis Grimes debuts at #44 with "Doing My Time"; The Rankin Twins at #46 with "You Can't Have It All"; "Pillow" by TJ Broscoff is at #49; and Max Stalling debuts at #50 with "6 x 9 Speakers."
Kevin Fowler, the Casey Donahew Band, and the Turnpike Troubadours continue to fight it out for the #1 spot. Fowler wings for the 4th week at number one with "Hell Yeah, I Like Beer." Stoney LaRue appears in the top 5 at #4 with "Velvet." Granger Smith grabs on to the #5 spot with "Sleeping on the Interstate."
Rosehill makes the biggest Chart move this week with their single "Dream it All Over Again" moving up 14 spots from #49 to #35.
Click here to see who else made the chart this week!
Texas Music Chart
Houston, Texas
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News, Sales, & Events
DESIGNAMERICA IS HEADED TO THE HARLEY DAVIDSON MUSEUM!
For one special evening, you will have the exclusive opportunity to shop from and meet America's finest independent artisans and designers whose work will take your breath away. Immerse yourself in the riches of their masterworks while enjoying complimentary hors d'oeuvres and beverages under the stars as the party extends onto to 5th Street. What an amazing evening this will be!
America is still a creative powerhouse, and this event will be a rich celebration of the works from America's finest independent contemporary masters. You will see one-of-a-kind bold, brilliant, and beautiful designs that are created from their hands, their hearts, their minds, and their endless imagination. Don't miss the chance to meet these contemporary masters in person. This will be a journey of discovery- captivating and inspiring- and the most astonishing shopping experience of a lifetime!
 | | DesignAmerica at Harley-Davidson Museum |
Opening Preview Party Friday, September 2nd 5:00- 9:00 PM The "Garage" at Harley-Davidson Museum 400 W. Canal Street- Milwaukee, Wisconsin Tickets may be purchased at www.designamerica-hdusa.com or by calling (626) 791-8310
Public Shopping Event September 3rd & 4th 10:00 AM- 5:00 PM The "Garage" at Harley-Davidson Museum 400 W. Canal Street- Milwaukee, Wisconsin Tickets available at the door 
DesignAmerica
Pasadena, California
626-791-8310
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GREAT NEW ACCESSORIES FROM THE ARRANGEMENT!
Check out some more great home accessories at The Arrangement!
 The Arrangement
Houston, Texas
713-627-9009
Dallas, Texas
214-748-4540
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Things to Do Comin' up Soon
Here is a short list of things comin' up soon. Be sure to check out the entire event calendar on TheWesternVault.com for a complete list of great western events all over the United States!
- August 10-13: Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association Western US Championship- Las Vegas, Nevada
- August 13- November 12: AQHA Museum: America's Horse in Art- Amarillo, Texas
- August 18-20: Western Legends Roundup- Kanab, Utah
- August 19-21: West Tex-Mex- Marfa, Texas
- August 23-27: 2011 NRHA Cowtown Classic- Fort Worth, Texas
- September 2-4: DesignAmerica at the Harley Davidson Museum- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- September 7-11: Lucchese & Rocketbuster Trunk Show at Pinto Ranch- Las Vegas, Nevada
- September 8-11: 23rd Annual National Cowboy Symposium- Lubbock, Texas
- September 8-11: Western Design Conference- Jackson Hole, Wyoming
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Mandy Wooten
