On stage, Emmylou Harris channels the same desire to perform that she had fifty years ago as a college student at the University of North Carolina.

After pursuing a music career in New York City and watching the city’s folk scene decline, Harris moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to raise her first child and continue her performing career. Following her performing in The Flying Burrito Brothers, she moved to Washington in 1973 and worked with Tom Guidera and the Fallen Angels, a band that she worked with while performing in clubs. Later, Harris would go on to create the album _Angel Band_, released in 1987.

Once she had produced her second LP, she found a new backing band called The Hot Band, which included James Burton, Glen D. Hardin and Rodney Crowell.

In 1987, she collaborated with Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt to create Trio, Harris’ best-selling album to date.

Now, as she navigates the modern era of folk, Harris comes to the Roots N Blues N BBQ festival to remind people of her contributions to the progressive country and folk sound that was pioneered by artists like Bob Dylan and Neil Young.

MU freshman Crystal Cox listened to “Michelangelo” by Harris, a song from the _Red Dirt Girl_ album released in 2000, and was impressed by her range of style.

“I like it because while it has an older style to it, it’s definitely still something common in today’s music,” Cox said. “It’s soft and soulful and sounds like something my parents would listen to.”

Harris will perform at the Great Southern Bank Stage at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.

_Edited by Brooke Collier | bcollier@themaneater.com_