But, hey, there's no point whining and complaining about it. I still believe this music is available and if there are people who can hear it, they'll find it. It's inspiring other artists who are making more unusual and interesting music that might not be on country stations, but it will survive in some form or other. Good music will never be lost — I really believe that. So it's just where do you put my records? I'm still in the country bins, and I probably always will be, and maybe that's rightly so, and I should be considered a country artist, and Wrecking Ball should be considered a country record. Because if you have to be categorized, it's like saying, "Where were you born?" Well, I was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and no matter how many crazy things they do down there in Alabama — and they are really going nuts down there right now — I will always be an Alabama girl, because that's where I was born. So what kind of artist am I? I'm a country artist, because that's what I embraced in the beginning. I made my choice and I never let it limit me — I don't think any artist should let himself or herself be limited by what other people's idea of a genre is. But if you have to be labeled, then label me country.

Inspiration

STARPOLISH: Given your stature in the business, do you feela responsibility to expose other artists who you admire, but whom might not get noticed otherwise? And who inspires you?

HARRIS: It's a joy to be able to turn people onto artists that I particularly like and who have inspired me. I love doing that; it's like sharing the wealth. When I first heard Patty Griffin, for example, I just couldn't believe her, and that's all I wanted to talk about. I'm still telling people about the McGarrigle sisters, I think they're national treasures and I think more people should know about them.

STARPOLISH: I hadn't known about Buddy or Julie Miller before hearing them in your band, and I've seen them three times now.

HARRIS: Yeah, Buddy's going to become a star in spite of himself (laughs). Buddy and Julie have a wonderful record. I mean that's one of the perks of having people listen and write about what you say — to be able to spread the word about the good stuff.

As far as what inspires me right now, I mean Neil Young has always inspired me and being out with him is just extraordinary.

STARPOLISH: Is this the first time you've toured with him?

HARRIS: Yes, it's the first time ever touring with him. I've done some singing on a couple of his records, and he very graciously sang on Wrecking Ball and on the record with Linda, The Western Wall: [The Tucson Sessions], so I've hung with him and [his wife] Pegi. But to just be apart of that entourage... it's just a great thing to have on your resume (laughs).