Emmylou Harris Spearheads Anti-Landmine Benefits

Emmylou Harris has enlisted a contingent of top singer/songwriters to accompany her in a series of five concerts in California to benefit the non-profit Campaign for a Landmine Free World, according to event co-presenter the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation.

Steve Earle will appear on all five shows, which take place Dec. 1-5. Also scheduled to appear are Bruce Cockburn on Dec. 1 and 5; John Prine on Dec. 1-2; Nancy Griffith on Dec. 1-3; Mary Chapin Carpenter on Dec. 3-4; Patty Griffin on Dec. 1-2; Terry Allen on Dec. 3-4; Guy Clark on Dec. 3-4; Gillian Welch & David Rawlings on Dec. 4-5; Kris Kristofferson on Dec. 5; and Willie Nelson on Dec. 5.

Last year, Harris spearheaded two other benefits for the same cause: a sold-out Los Angeles performance with her band Spyboy and a concert at Washington D.C.'s Constitution Hall featuring Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson, Lucinda Williams and Steve Earle.

In 1997, when the International Campaign to Ban Landmines was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Harris performed at the Nobel Peace Prize concert in Oslo, Norway along with Sinead O'Connor, Jewel, Boyz II Men and Mariah Carey, according to the VVAF.

Harris became interested in the cause after accompanying VVAF President Bobby Muller on a trip to Vietnam and Cambodia two years ago. During the past year, Steve Earle and Bruce Cockburn both visited VVAF's programs in Vietnam and Cambodia and have campaigned against landmines.

In a statement, Harris equated land mine waste with destructive litter.

''I think, as a world we have to unite to clean up everyone's backyard'' so that the devastation of innocent civilians can't go on, she said.

Tickets are available though the venue box offices, according to the VVAF.