Few musicians have had such a wide impact on musical direction and history with such a brief time on this earth that Gram Parsons. Only 26 when he died from overdose at Joshua Tree National Park in southeastern California he has gone on to become an undisputed pioneer in this rag-tag genre we call Americana.

On this 40th anniversary of his death I take time while attending the Americana Music Conference and Festival, something that very well might not have existed if not for Parsons, to offer you a brief collection of some of his best performances and songs many with his protege Emmylou Harris.

Remember, revere and enjoy.