Roses in the Snow

Released in 1980, Roses in the Snow represents a significant stylistic shift for Emmylou Harris. Following the success of her more traditional country and country-rock albums, Harris insisted on recording a bluegrass-oriented project despite industry skepticism. The album features an elite cast of acoustic musicians, including Ricky Skaggs, Tony Rice, and Jerry Douglas, who helped define the 'Newgrass' movement. The tracklist is a curated selection of traditional standards, gospel hymns, and contemporary covers like Paul Simon's 'The Boxer,' all unified by a sparse, acoustic aesthetic. Critically, it is regarded as one of her finest works and a landmark release in the history of Americana, successfully bridging the gap between mainstream country and traditional mountain music. It won the CMA Award for Album of the Year and solidified Harris's role as a curator of American roots music.