'Red Dirt Girl' was produced by Malcolm Burn, who had worked with Harris engineering and mixing her previous solo studio recording, 1995's 'Wrecking Ball', and features Burn on piano, guitar, and bass; Buddy Miller on lead guitar; Daryl Johnson on bass and drums; and Ethan Johns on drums, guitar, and other miscellaneous instruments. Dave Matthews sings a duet with Harris on the album, and Bruce Springsteen, Patti Scialfa, and Patty Griffin also contribute vocals.