Emmylou Harris Shares Her Personal Playlist

She's reverently referred to as the 'Godmother of Americana,' in part because she's influenced scores of contemporary artists in all musical genres. So when the New York Times asked Emmylou Harris to cite some of the music she's listening to lately, it's no surprise the list was just as eclectic as her 30-plus-year career has been.

Among those currently gracing the singer's iPod is her fellow Country Music Hall of Fame member, the late Porter Wagoner. "I've been listening to him for years, even when I didn't like country music," says Harris. "But because my brother had a record player. I didn't really get country music until I started working with Gram Parsons in 1972. Porter's one of the greats of country music, as a storyteller, a songwriter and as a duet partner with Dolly Parton. He was known for his Nudie suits. He was an icon."

Also among Emmylou's current favorites are the "smoky saxophone voice" of Rickie Lee Jones, the "depth, beauty and simplicity" of British singer-songwriter Linda Thompson, the "beautifully produced" "Dirt Farmer" by Levon Helm, and the eye-opening collaboration ("Raising Sand") by Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant and bluegrass beauty Alison Krauss.

The 61-year-old, whose own genre-bending album, "All I Intended to Be," recently reached the Top 5 on the country chart, also revealed one goal she has yet to achieve: playing the accordion.

"I thought I'd be able to learn it, but I've given up," she said.