every year at the end, when in the low harris -- emmylou harris closes the festival and someone elsens the festival. i always call them the heart and soul of the festival. those are wonderful must object moments. having a chance to listen up close to some of the greats. those are some of the great emotional moments. there's always one moment that is so bizarre. 3 or four years ago i was sitting out front listening to emmylou harris. she was very stylishly dressed. i turned to her making conversation. i said there was a strong smell of pot and she asked if i wanted some. [laughter] the following year my wife said there was an elderly gentleman old banjos. he was a very nice man sitting on the ground. he said he understood that i like old benches. he said he had three that he would like to show me. he said he understood that i liked white ladies. he said i would like this one. i asked if he was trying to sell the banjos. he said he was giving it to me. he was giving me a $3,000 musical instrument. he said he really wanted me to have it. >> that is a beautiful story. it is true. >> do y

you'll get special duets with placido domingo and emmylou harris, some of his rarer songs., and i let him pick around on it, and he just tried to sing up a storm. he was singing little nursery rhyme songs at the time, and i says, "john." i said, "would you practice if mom would give you music lessons?" i said, "if you will, grandma will give you this guitar." and so he asked his mom, and she says, "if you'll practice." so i gave him the guitar, and that's where he is today. >> ♪ but the dawn is breaking. ♪ it's early morn. ♪ the taxi's waiting. ♪ he's blowing his horn. ♪ already i'm so lonesome ♪ i could die ♪ so kiss me ♪ and smile for me. >> male announcer: public television is your front-row seat to the best in performing arts. we make top-notch performances freely available for everyone to enjoy music, theater, dance, and more. the financial support of donors is vital to produce and purchase programs of this caliber. call the number on your screen or go online to learn more about these featured items and others like them. invest in the finest arts and entertainment prog

every year at the end, when in the low harris -- emmylou harris closes the festival and someone elsepens the festival. i always call them the heart and soul of the festival. those are wonderful must object moments. having a chance to listen up