The Valley Line: Emmylou Harris is honored at the Autry
Benefit season is still rolling along and that means busy times for our La Cañada folk. One the most prestigious events was gala for the Autry National Center of the American West, held Oct. 3 at the museum.
Honored with the museum’s “Spirit of the West” award was Emmylou Harris. It was especially notable because singer/songwriter Harris, a 13-time Grammy Award winner, is the first female to receive this award
Gala guests garbed in Western-themed attire presented a bit of a fashion show. Don’t think I’ve ever seen so many hats and boots in one place before. It wasn’t only the men who were Western wear heroes, but there were some very pretty women who were giving the men a run for their money with their own brand of formal Western wear.
Guests gathered in the museum’s courtyard for cocktails, chatter, and bidding on some amazing items on the silent auction tables.
I had a great time chatting with La Cañadans Martha Burns, her niece Wendy Wyatt and Wendy’s husband, Phil Wyatt.
These three amigos are great fans of the famed Texas Tenors, who performed before the dinner and then again after dessert had been served. Combining rich vocals, humor and cowboy charm, the charismatic and talented trio performed music inspired by the worlds of country, folk, opera and Broadway.
The tenors — John Hagen, Marcus Collins and JC Fisher — have come twice to our area to perform in fundraisers for the Community Scholarship Foundation of La Cañada Flintridge, so they have formed their own “groupies” from our town and have forged friendships with Burns and the Wyatts.
As guests made their final bids on silent auction items they then ambled through a desert-like stage setting of red rock, cactus and sagebrush. Sounds of animals and birds of the desert also were enchanting.
Before we could really get down to enjoying our dinner, there was an exciting live auction led by DawnMarie Kotsonis (a.k.a. The Gavel Girl), She inspired an amazing energy in the room and the bidding was brisk.
Some of the eclectic items coming up for auction was a world-class Emirates Airline trip to Dubai. A very nostalgic item on the auction block was the Gene Autry’s Royal Ride Electric Cart that was designed like a Rolls Royce, Gene Autry’s widow, Jackie Autry, said she rode on the cart on her first date with him.
Another item that was hotly bid on was a weeklong travel package for a five-bedroom sanctuary in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, that was donated by former longtime La Cañadans Lora and Bob Sandroni.
By the way, Lora and Bob, who have for many years been devoted collectors of treasurers of the Southwest, have just published a book, “The Beading Heart.” They have built a world-class collection of pictorial Indian beadwork, which they have now archived into the stunning 228-page book. Look for it, it is a beautiful publication.
When presenting Harris with her award, W. Richard “Rick” West Jr., the museum’s president and chief executive, described the performer as an individual who “defined an entire generation with her music. She was the muse for many of us growing up in that period.” After accepting her award, Harris told the audience a story of performing at the Autry in 1992 and her feelings of coming “full circle” by receiving the Spirit of the West award. She concluded her speech by complimenting Autry co-founder Jackie Autry for her work with the museum.
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JANE NAPIER NEELY covers the La Cañada Flintridge social scene. Email her at jnvalleysun@aol.com with news and photos of your special event.