Working For Emmylou Harris 

Met Emmylou at a party at Santa Fe, private party, 25 people, she left knowing everyone’s name and was so gracious. Impressive.

Hey Otis, FWIW, I played bass for Emmy Lou for a few gigs back in the late 70's as a last minute fill in. She was exactly how Steve descibes her. Even though I was the "new kid" (and just a temp fill in at that), she treated me with the same respect and attention she gave to all of her regular band. I was made to feel at home from the get go. I even got to sing harmony with her a few times on a Townes song. One of the high points of my musical career.

I’m 42 years old and I’ve had the biggest crush on her forever. She’s supremely talented, supremely kind(from everything I can surmise), and supremely beautiful. Just a beautiful soul that brightens the world.

We’ve had the good fortune to see Emmylou several times. Never mailed it in. The most recent was six years ago at Tanglewood in Lenox MA. It was in July and warm, mid 90 degrees. She played her entire set, an hour give or take, with no break. The band got a break. At the end of the show she was still in great voice and as beautiful as ever. She is a remarkable human. Steve Fishell is a great interview. The best musicians are fans, too.

Steve Fishell= Class Act.

Emmylou is a sweetheart. EmmyLou played the Florida Folk Festival in 2005 and Buddy Miller let my wife on her bus after the show. She related to her the story my mom told her about going to Woodlawn High School in Birmingham with Emmylou's mom and me playing with her when I was a toddler. She took our info and many months later I saw a letter in my mailbox and the writing was a dead ringer for my mom's. She died a few years earlier. How sweet that she passed the story along to her mom and special that her mom sent me a note. She didn't remember my mom but I will choose to believe my sainted mother ; )

We all love Emmy Lou- It'd be such an honor to play with her. Steve is a treasure also.

Emmylou doing Evangeline on the Last Waltz was incredible and Joni Mitchell doing Cyote was 2 great highlights of the Last Waltz amoung the greats of the Band doing their fairwell concert check it out if you havnt seen its a mindblowing concert. Great interview you could only imagine Emmylou would be a delight honour and privilege to work with God bless her.

I became a Steve Fishell fan when he played on the Rodney Crowell, Diamond and Dirt album...His lap steel on a song called " Went for a Ride" was stellar! It had it all....Tone, grit and just soulful!

Wonderful interview! Such a pleasure for me because it brings back memories of one of the greatest live shows I ever saw in my life --- Emmy Lou and the Hot Band with Steve Fishell and Frank Reckard, at the old Ontario Place Forum in Toronto, Canada. It was around 1987, on a warm summer day. The small amphitheater only seated about 2500 people, and the sunken stage revolved slowly for a full 360 degrees. I was in the front row for the whole show, just feet from the stage, as Emmy Lou, Steve, Frank, and the rest of the Hot Band turned a slow circle in front of me. The live sound and the music was absolutely fantastic and it was like being in Emmy Lou's home living room or studio. Steve's steel playing was outstanding, and Frank Reckard blew my mind! Emmy Lou was totally divine, as usual.

I just searched RU-vid to hear Emmy playing lead guitar on Buckaroo because of this interview. Well played, Emmy!

Great interview. ❤ I love to hear happy people with this kind of admiration for someone we think the world of. 😊

Who could complain of a broken record of ‘thank you’, but these interviews about the music are a good stand by with the music itself. Hearing about the interactions of all who made the music is harmony to the gestalt of the time and its music. ☘

Steve Fishell, - a gentleman and a scholar! A true asset to the steel guitar family!

SO RIGHT. Serve the Song. Always.

Thanks Otis another wonderful interview for the ages! An absolute delight!👍🙏

Amazing interview. Steve does a great job articulating the chills you feel in the presence of a great vocalist like Emmylou. Makes the hairs on your arm stand up. “It’s like a dream!” Steve’s playing is a dream, too! Thanks, Otis, for capturing the unfiltered insights and anxieties and excitement of talented sidemen like Steve. Makes me appreciate the Emmylous and the Steves all the more. And makes me really appreciate your channel, Otis - you are unique in your ability: one of the precious few folks that both “get” and are able to express all of the above as a performer and as a fan and as a documentarian. You wear all those hats with equal grace. Much love to you, Otis!

I never got the chance to see Emmylou, but I did see Commander Cody and New Riders of the Purple Sage at the Paramount in Portland Or. Thx Otis for yet another great story

❤one of the most talented and charming performers I've ever seen she I s a sweetheart so cute adorable then if you get close to the stage look into her eyes you can't help but fall in love the most beautiful eyes God doesn't make prettier eyes than that you can only tie ❤I love you Emmy Lou

One of your best videos. I love Emmylou.

She certainly comes off as an angel come to earth. Absolutely lovely and talented. A dream gig for sure. How could you not fall in love with her. A true icon of the music industry ...

I had no idea he was the dobro player on “Millworker”… I will never forget the first time I heard Emmylou’s version~ it was devastating. Such a sad song done so beautifully.

Another great interview. Otis you have a knack for finding honest, humble, musicians that open up and give great interviews - well done as always!!

Great interview. Thanks for posting this Otis I really enjoyed it!!

Thank you, Otis 🙏🏻 Great interview, and it would be great to hear more stories from Steve. Emmylou Harris is a national treasure Be good to you 🙏🏻🤍

Am I surprised that Emmylou is a wonderful person as well as a brilliant singer/musician? No, not at all, but still nice to hear. Great interview.

His dobro solo on “Millworker” is as haunting and beautiful as dobro ever gets.

I remember Emmylou from November 1973 when Linda Ronstadt brought her out onstage to do a couple of duets at the Roxy. She was still reeling from Gram Parsons' recent death and seemed frail as a wraith. Beautiful beyond measure, but if anyone in the audience had sneezed in her general direction, she'd have fallen over. Couple of Steely Dan guys were in the band at the time, Jim Hodder and Jeff Baxter. Linda was a good friend to her.

I don't now why I clicked on to this, but it was very interesting considering that I know nothing about Emmylou. Sure, I heard her on the radio in the 70's when AM rocked. Often times you get a better picture about how recording and touring is a tremendous grind - and these interviews can shine some light on how the sausage is really made.

Set the "WayBack Machine" to the summer of 1979 - My buddy and I were in Santa Cruz at the Catalyst Bar... Drinking and playing pool .. We see a line of people forming outside on the sidewalk, and think, "Hey - something GOOD must be happening".. we get in line, and get to the ticket concession, and pay our 4 bucks. As we get inside the auditorium, we see that "The HOT Bad" is playing tonight - we ask somebody "WTF is the HOT band ?", and it turns out that they are Emmylou Harris' backup band ! They must have played 4 - 5 hrs 'till ~3 AM ! Just OUTSTANDING ! ..And all for FOUR Bucks ! Good Times..

Awesome interview/story!

Great story, Steve has some fabulous funny stories. Thanks Otis.

Thank you so much Steve, and Otis your the best. I opened for Emmy once and will never forget it, but to hear Steve tell it,, thrilling. She was charming although I was the low man on the totem. Her drummer, a chick, had to play on Pizza boxes, someone forget her ensemble. Even with three pieces, Emmy shined as usual. Enough, but thanks again for bringing these artists out and getting to know them. I was so nervous afterward I wouldn't ask for her autograph, I just slunked away into the night. Love and light, Marc.

Just met Steve at Sound Stage with my son’s band UNCHAiNED. He told me about this video and I’m glad I found it.

Beautiful

Thanks for this piece Otis, Steve Fishell is such a class act. The back stories are always so interesting.

EmmyLou Harris is my favorite female Country Music singer.

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Nothing that I've heard in this interview surprises me. I had the pleasure of watching Emmylou rehearse and soundcheck with the Nash Ramblers for 2 hours once in 1991. My band had been playing at the little place in Jackpot Nevada, and they were at the big place across the street. Al Perkins came in at around 2:00 am and listened to our set, and then asked me if I wanted to sell my Tweed Fender Tremolux. I had only had it for about a month, and I told him, "Sorry, I just got this thing, and it's a keeper." He understood, and was totally cool with that, and then he invited our whole band over to the sound check the next day. It was just like what Steve is saying here. Watching them work out arrangements and harmonies for songs that Emmylou was going to do that night was an amazing process to witness. I have heard it said that great leaders lead gently, and Emmylou Harris is the living embodiment of that idea. i wanted very badly to go down and say hello, but a sense of professional courtesy and respect kept me from interrupting them. we listened for about 2 hours, and we had to go and do our gig, but catching a glimpse of how such a great artist works, and leads a band was an education you cannot buy with money. Emmylou Harris is a champ on more levels than you can list here. An outstanding artist an a first rate human being !!!

Congratulations on 100K subs!

Very enjoyable interview. I love his candor saying he asked to play Satan's Jewel Crown with Emmylou during his audition just in case he didn't get the gig. And I think it's super cool she learned to play Buckaroo on a tele for her Last Date live album. I sure would like to see that performance

Saw her with Spyboy shortly after Wrecking Ball was released. I've seen my fair number of shows from a number of genres. That Emmylou show remains as one of the top 5...even maybe the top 3 concerts I've seen in my lifetime.

Fun to see this and a REALLY great interview about personal memories of Emmylou. I remember Steve from far back in time when he played in a local Santa Barbara band (circa 1974) named Condor. Some guys get ALL the luck!

As a born and raised NorCal boy, I appreciate Steve and his excellent work.I've been playing music for 54 years and STILL will have an anxiety dream about a gig every now and then. :-)

Great insights from being in the band! Thank you for sharing your experiences

Thanks for this video. A real treat. Those anxiety dreams must be pure torment. I get them too occasionally but not about playing music.

Glad to hear the love for Barry and the Remains. That live album they put out is pretty amazing

I have been subscribed to Otis one computer and two profiles ago when he had less than two thousand subs and at least two coffees. I might have seen Steve Fishell in the early eightys at Coleman's Road/Ale House , Rome NY w/Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen. In '83 at Colemans we saw The Gregg Allman Band w/ Special guest Dickey Betts , and found out later 12yr. old Joe Bonamassa was there for his first ever live show , he lived near there and his dad brought him to the show. Singin' With Emmylou I & II , duets. Otis and out. mike trurroo.

Very cool Otis!! Your interviews just keep getting better and better !! 🐿️😎🐿️

I have been in love with Emmylou since I was 15 years old. We named our rescue pup after her who we lost after 18 years last year. The only time I had a chance to meet her I was too nervous to even go backstage. Admittedly it was with Roseanne and Lucinda at SF Jazz but I just couldn’t get my nerve up….

A wonderful interview!

Mr. Gibbs, a ton of thanks for sharing these chats with the world, with us. I never was more than a rank amateur as a player, but I’ve never stopped being a fan and I love music more than ever. These stories are glorious.

Thanks for another good story!

Fantastic Steve

For all of us Emmy fans this is gold.

Thanks for this !!!! Great storytelling !!!!!!!

Saw Emmylou back in ‘83 opening for Hank Williams Jr. Doesn’t seem possible that was over 40 years ago!

Good stuff. Thank you for sharing

Great interview. Have loved Emmylou since the GP days.

Great to see you again Steve

Have many albums of Emmy's. Only got to see her once. Great show...and met her on the bus for an autographed photo.

❤ I wanted to see Shawn Colvin and I got a front row ticket at the city winery in Nashville. I got on a plane from Seattle went there got to meet Shawn. Her guest that night was Emmy Lou it was fantastic.

🌈 Thanks Steve ⚓️ Otis 😎

I met her backstage at Red Rocks, and later at the Bluebird in Nashville. Always kind and gracious. Nothing fake about Emmy.

praying for some commander cody stories

Love Steve Fishell!

Great story! We recorded a 5 song EP in Emmylou's North Hollywood Enactron studio back in 1981. Maybe the same one Steve recorded in. Sadly our band imploded shortly after this and it was never released.

Fascinating. Steve Fishell is as good as it gets.

Loved hearing the ballad of Steve Fishell & Sally Rose .

Here's Steve talking about the great, Buddy Emmons. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-runq1f-XU3U.html

Because of Peter Cooper, I got to share an elevator ride with Emmy Lou. Unfortunately for Peter, I never got to tell him about it because it was the day of his memorial concert at the Hall of Fame. My brother and I got to say hello. I still regret not mentioning to her that she was going to be playing before my brother took the stage, and to try to not let the pressure get to her! 😂 Otis, you should interview to the guy who was tuning guitars that night. I think they were calling him Maple?!? Thom would def remember his name.

Steve is a good dude.

Awesome!

Fabulous.

WELL SAID. nothing i could add. awesome thanks for yall's time.

Not sure I could imagine a better job than working and playing with Emmylou.

Great stories, Steve!

Otis, I love stories about The Mangler. Ever try to get him on this channel?

It's always about the ensemble supporting the singer and the song. Some people never, ever, ever get it. Practise saying "so long, good luck, goodbye."

Another great story!

Love her.

I believe Steve played the Bass Guitar for Emmylou on Rose of Cimmaron, love the song

Steve’s liner notes to the Emmons tribute record should have won the Grammy. His book is excellent as well and he’s a good guy to boot.

She was pure.

There are so many peoples albums I can hear Emmylou singing harmony on. In The liner notes inside the Steve Earle "train a comin" album, Steve says : "The first time I met Emmylou was in the studio. She gave me half of her sandwich. I wasn't the same for weeks"

Since many here will be Emmylou fanboys like me I might as well share my story. I went to see her at a small venue in London called the Jazz Cafe back in 1996 (it was basically a bar with a small stage). It was the best concert I've ever attended, mostly for the intimacy of it, combined with Emmylou´s almost perfect performance and overall presence. Like someone below said, it was indeed like being in Emmy Lou's home living room, she was just singing to us with that voice and guitar from a few feet away. I remember thinking that she must be a perfectionist, as I don't think she hit a single false note all night, neither on her (quite impressive) guitar, not the vocals of course. Btw, I was smitten with Emmylou ever since I had seen her in the Last Waltz, where she looked like an angel to me. And I was stunned to see her in person, man she was beautiful, silver hair and all. Her whole physical presence was just striking, she exuded beauty, elegance and class. I think she was 50 at the time, I was young at 27. So the show had a 10 min break in which she goes into a room and the door was half open and I could see her talking with who I assumed was her mum. I thought to my self, how sweet is this, to be travelling with her mum (then again maybe it wasn´t her mum, but that´s how I like to remember it!). And then she comes to the bar, to drink some water perhaps, can't remember and sits right next to me for a few minutes taking a breather! I couldn't believe it, I wanted so much to say something, but nothing would come out of my silly mouth. I regret it to this day. I should've just said something, even if it was silly like "I saw you in the Last Waltz and I thought I you were an angel"! I mean who cares, she would've laughed. Finally, I must admit she did disappoint me later on when before playing "Every grain of sand" she said something along these lines "Dylan may not be the greatest singer but he sure knows how to write songs". I am a huge Bob fan and have been since I was 12 years old and I took offense at that comment! But overall I forgave her:) The experience was so special.

❤

He is a great singer

Emmylou recorded one of my cousins, Jean Ritchie songs, Dust In The Wind.

Asking (genuinely) to play “Satin’s Jeweled Crown” must have connected. After watching the interview with Steve, I wonder if one of his thoughts might have been having done so would have made the day worthwhile, even if he hadn’t gotten the job.

When the angels sing to God in heaven they sound like Emmy Lou.

What a great, self-effacing guy...as good at what he does as anyone but not making a big deal about it...great interview...

Just wow

There is a video on youtube of Emmylou playing a chuck berry song,, never can tell. Watch it and you will smile from ear to ear. My personal favorites memory, She was at a meet and greet song conference thing, and one girl in an irritating way kept asking for tips, ect. Emmy was so classy, she was nice and finally gave her a tip. She said get a wig, it saves hours from your day. I still laugh at that

I saw EmmyLou and her Hot Licks open for willie Nelson back in the late 70s. They were so hot that night that Willie didn’t even try to compete with the energy. He didn’t mail it in; he just played a bluesy set. Wonderful show from start to finish.

14:40 BTW "Millworker" is one of JT's favorite songs of his own. And mine, of course.

Enjoyed the stories. It's interesting to hear that pro players still have some anxiety about performing. I tend to think, they are pros, they go do it every night.

Had such a crush on her in late60’s early70’s.

Chumley’s in NYC , 86 Bedford St. When you got thrown out , you were 86’d.

I love Emmylou, I've seen her a few times. All great shows but one. It had nothing to do with Emmylou, it was the god damn audience. She was opening for Dave Mathews at The Oakland Coliseum. It was like no one was listening, they talking were so loud she might as well have not been there. I was bummed.