Burger with Relish

Singer Emmylou Harris has a soft spot for causes. She has nine dogs at home, all rescued from death row after she became involved with the Nashville Humane Association.

So it's no surprise that she is the headliner of a benefit concert tonight at Kingsbury Hall for the Zambia Scholarship Fund. "Every cause is worthy," Harris said in an interview.

The Zambia Scholarship Fund is a nonprofit charity formed in Salt Lake City in 1999 now celebrating its 10th anniversary, said Peggy Rogers, president. The fund was created when a friend, a native of Zambia, said the country's northern province had plenty of schools built by well-meaning organizations -- but had no teachers to teach in those schools.

The charity has funded the education of more than 700 Zambian teachers since 1999, Rogers said.

Harris is a longtime supporter of worthy causes, whether it has been land-mine removal, the Second Harvest Food Bank in Nashville or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Performing at benefits is the least she can do when so many people work day-in and day-out for charities. "All I do is show up," the singer said. "The others do all of the work."

Harris, an Americana country singer who received a boost from backing up Gram Parsons and Bob Dylan in the 1970s, is now writing for her next album after releasing "All I Intended to Be" in 2008.

The 62-year-old soprano recently became a grandmother and said she has lost some notes over the years. "It's a muscle," Harris said of her voice. "There are some songs I can't do anymore." She no longer performs hits "(You Never Can Tell) C'est La Vie" and "Mister Sandman," or most of the drinking songs she has covered. She's not too disappointed about the latter, because she "never was much of a drinker."

She also never takes a vacation from music. "I tried to take a year off a few years ago, but it didn't work," Harris said.

Emmylou Harris and Her Red Dirt Boys will perform at a benefit for the Zambia Scholarship fund. Buddy Miller opens.
When » Nov. 19 at 7 p.m.
Where » Kingsbury Hall, 1395 E. Presidents Circle, University of Utah campus, Salt Lake City
Tickets » $45-$75, at 801-581-7100 or www.kingsburyhall.org