Q&A: Emmylou Harris, country singer-songwriter

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/apr/18/emmylou-harris-q-and-a

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Born in Alabama, Harris, 68, has won 13 Grammys and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008 and this year sees her become a laureate of the prestigious Polar Music Prize. Next month she releases a new album, The Traveling Kind, with Rodney Crowell. She is three times divorced and lives in Nashville, where she has a dog sanctuary.

When were you happiest?At the birth of my two daughters.

What is your greatest fear?Forgetting the words to songs in the middle of a show.

What is your earliest memory?I was in my crib, and I saw my father coming in from work. He was a radio operator in the police department.

Which living person do you most admire?Michelle Obama.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?I hate confrontation.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?Cruelty.

What was your most embarrassing moment?About 15 years ago, I was asked to sing the national anthem at a baseball game and, being arrogant, I refused to wear the headset that would block out feedback. And, of course, without it, the very first note I sang came back to me; so I immediately stuck my fingers in my ears and put my head down. I was on the huge screen in the stadium.

Property aside, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought?I am ashamed to say it was a leather stage outfit – a tomato-red, western-style jacket with a full skirt the same colour. I don’t wear leather any more, except on my feet.

What is your most treasured possession?My pets: three dogs and two cats.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?My lips are too thin.

What is your most unappealing habit?Procrastination.

What is your favourite smell?The pavement and the foliage after summer rain.

Which book changed your life?The Living by Annie Dillard – it really helped me with my songwriting.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?A vet and, later on, an actress.

What is top of your bucket list?I want to see the northern lights.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?American Idol.

What or who is the love of your life?My dogs.

What does love feel like?I don’t know.

What is the worst job you’ve done?I had to do a lot of waitressing, and I’m just not very good at it.

What has been your biggest disappointment?I haven’t been able to make the kind of marriage that my parents had. But I am close to all my ex-husbands. I am a better friend than I am a wife.

When did you last cry, and why?When my mother died last year. She lived with me for 21 years.

How do you relax?Listening to This American Life and watching baseball.

What keeps you awake at night?Nothing.

What song would you like played at your funeral?I am still working on that.

How would you like to be remembered?As someone who championed the lives of animals.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?Just to carry on.