This is all really depressing. She was, at one point, really great. Arkansas Traveler, ignoring the questionable politics, is an amazing album where she collaborates with a who's who of roots musicians. Her live shows were spectacularly good. Most people thought, based on her own comments, that she was gay. But, most people also thought she was a little bit off the rails.
Here she is at her best.
http://www.myspace.com/video/kirk-krik/michelle-shocked-the-ballad-of-penny-evans/14272492