For the Love Dogs – Emmylou Harris Comes to Amelia

The Big Guy and I experienced a blast from the past. The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival offered an incredible concert opportunity. Seven hundred people — mostly Boomers —  showed up at the Omni to hear Emmylou Harris, a favorite from many years ago. Clearly, the talented performer still has many fans who have followed her evolving career as she has adapted to changing trends in music. The concert sold out almost instantly when tickets went on sale.

Harris is a Grammy-winning American icon, with a career that has included bluegrass, country, and folk-rock, and she continues to be recognized as an innovator. She has performed with legends including Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, and others. Willie Nelson is a huge fan and has been quoted as saying, “There are only two kinds of men in the world: those who are in love with Emmylou Harris… and those who haven’t met her yet.”

On stage were three powerful women who clearly enjoyed each other’s company and talent. Tammy Rogers, who has ties to Amelia Island, is a remarkable musician, songwriter, and co-founder of the Grammy-winning bluegrass group The SteelDrivers. She is also a founder and driving force behind the annual Amelia Island Songwriter Festival.

The third woman, Maura O’Connell, shared her feisty Irish persona with the audience. She is from Ennis, County Clare, and is known for her contemporary interpretations of Irish folk songs, strongly influenced by American country music.

Joining the women was multi-instrumentalist John Mock. He has worked with many well-known artists and groups, including the Dixie Chicks, James Taylor, Dolly Parton, Sylvia, and Kathy Mattea. Mock’s principal instruments are guitar, tin whistle, concertina, mandolin, and percussion, but he is known for adapting to an even broader musical palette.

So how did Emmylou come to Amelia? It turns out that Hugh Williams, an island musician and a great friend of Tammy Rogers—who in turn is close to Emmylou—played a key role. Williams describes a magical few days in Nashville at the invitation of Rogers.

Over several days, the Williamses enjoyed concerts where Rogers was performing and eventually attended one that led to Emmylou coming to Amelia Island. At the City Winery in Nashville, they attended “Woofstock at the Winery,” featuring Harris, O’Connell, and Rogers. It was a fundraiser for something dear to Harris’ heart — dogs, especially those neglected, forgotten, and in need. She founded Bonaparte’s Retreat, named in memory of one of her beloved dogs.

At the time, Williams was on the board of the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival, and when he shared his experiences in Nashville —especially the Emmylou Harris event — the board immediately embraced the idea of bringing her to Amelia Island. According to Robyn Lamp, Executive Director of the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival, “From the early days, our founder, Chris Rex, and board members talked about bringing Americana, bluegrass, and country to the Festival as a form of American chamber music: small ensembles, music built on listening, collaboration, and conversation. While we are proud to present the European chamber music tradition, we also want to reflect the broader musical interests of our community.”

So a trip to Nashville was planned to begin the process. Hugh shares a special part of the negotiation: a good friend, Mike Bowling — also a dog lover — sent along a giant signed Pound Puppy. Harris was quick to embrace the idea of a fundraiser that would benefit the Nassau Humane Society.

Chantel Scherer, Executive Director of the Nassau Humane Society, was thrilled. She shared, “Being named a charitable recipient of the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival and the Emmylou Harris & Friends concert meant so much to the Nassau Humane Society. As an organization that relies entirely on community support to care for the thousands of animals who come through our doors each year, opportunities like this allow us to share our mission in a truly special way. Having a few of our dogs there to greet concertgoers was a reminder of just how much love and support mean to the animals we care for.”

Three dogs — Scout, Ella, and Bobby — greeted guests. Two of the three have already been adopted. A check from the proceeds will be donated to the Humane Society to help with their ongoing work.

The Big Guy and I agreed — great music, full house, good cause.

For more information about donating, volunteering, adopting, or fostering, visit www.nassauhumane.org.
For more information about the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival, visit www.amicmf.org.

Ann, Emmylou with her Pound Puppy and Hugh