Emmylou Harris and ‘Pop’ Stoneman Get Top Honors

4/28/2008 Lisa Ann Schleipfer   Country Music celebrated the achievements of Emmylou Harris and the late Ernest V. "Pop" Stoneman in a ceremony Sunday night at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Ford Theater. The Medallion Ceremony officially ushered the legendary Harris and pioneer Stoneman into the Hall of Fame, with performances by Country Music stars old and new, including Vince Gill, Lucinda Williams, Little Jimmy Dickens, Earl Scruggs and Jim Lauderdale. The honorees received keepsake medals and their bronze plaques were unveiled during the induction. Harris, famous for her harmonies, has influenced many Country Music artists, but recalls her inspiration to be Gram Parsons, with whom she recorded two influential albums, Live 1973 and Grievous Angel. After his death, Harris went on to become one the most successful artists in Country Music history. She has worked with the greats such as Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, and Neil Young and is considered the founder of “Americana” music. Her next album, All I Intended To Be will be out in June. Stoneman, a Virginia native, cut his first record in New York City in 1924. A few years later worked on the famous Bristol Sessions, which introduced the world to his sound, as well as that of the Carter family and Jimmie Rogers. Sunday’s medal was a goal of Stoneman’s, who passed away in 1968. Harris and Stoneman are two of four acts with recent inductions into the Hall of Fame. A Medallion Ceremony honoring John T. Hall and the Statler Brothers will take place June 29.