The Grammy’s are all about the music and the people who bring that art form to life. The singers, songwriters and producers of Country Music had their moment to shine on several special moments during the show, which was broadcast live from Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday night (Jan. 28).
Eric Church, Maren Morris and Brothers Osborne joined together for a heartfelt tribute for the victims of the Las Vegas shootring in October. The three country acts collaborated on Eric Clapton’s “Tears In Heaven,” while behind them a backdrop featuring the names of victims were featured prominently. All three acts had participated in the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas last year.
Clapton wrote the song after the death of his son, and his recording won Record, Song and Best Pop Vocal Performance Male at the Grammy Awards in 1993.
Morris felt it was appropriate for the tribute to have been presented by artists who actually performed at Route 91. “It reinforces even more the strength of music and the community that we all share together, artists and fans alike,” she states.
Chris Stapleton and Emmylou Harris were paired up to perform one of the highlights of the evening when they performed a tribute to Tom Petty who died on October 2.
The two Grammy award winners collaborated on a version of “Wildflowers,” the title track from Petty’s second solo album, released in 1994. The lyrics were a very fitting farewell to someone whose music brought joy to so many: “You belong among the wildflowers / You belong somewhere close to me / Far away from your trouble and worries / You belong somewhere you feel free.”
Little Big Town took the stage to perform their song, “Better Man,” which was also nominated in the Best Country Duo/Group Performance. The group came to the stage after already having won the award during the untelevised part of the awards show. “Better Man” also earned a Best Country Song nomination for Taylor Swift as its songwriter.
Chris Stapleton was without a doubt the biggest winner on the night, winning all three of the Grammy categories in which he was nominated. He scored wins for Best Country Solo Performance for “Either Way,” Best Country Song for “Broken Halos ” along with co-writer Mike Henderson and Best Country Album for From A Room: Volume 1.
The singer/songwriter kept his time at the microphone short during his acceptance speech, but expressed his thanks. “Thank you to everybody that works so hard for us. It’s a real joy to make music.”
Reba McEntire took home a Grammy in a non-country category when she won the award for the Best Roots Gospel Album Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope.
Jason Isbell was a multi-Grammy Award winner at the 60th annual event as he was named Best Americana Album for The Nashville Sound and Best American Roots Song for “If We Were Vampires.”
2018 Grammy Award Winners (Country, Bluegrass, Americana):
Best Country Album
Kenny Chesney, Cosmic Hallelujah
Lady Antebellum, Heart Break
Little Big Town, The Breaker
Thomas Rhett, Life Changes
Chris Stapleton, From A Room: Vol. 1 – WINNER
Best Country Song (Awarded to Songwriters)
Little Big Town, “Better Man”
Sam Hunt, “Body Like a Back Road”
Chris Stapleton and Mike Henderson, “Broken Halos” – WINNER
Midland, “Drinkin’ Problem”
Miranda Lambert, “Tin Man”
Best Country Solo Performance
Sam Hunt, “Body Like a Back Road”
Alison Krauss, “Losing You”
Miranda Lambert, “Tin Man”
Maren Morris, “I Could Use a Love Song”
Chris Stapleton, “Either Way” -WINNER
Best Country Duo / Group Performance
Brothers Osborne, “It Ain’t My Fault”
Zac Brown Band, “My Old Man”
Lady Antebellum, “You Look Good”
Little Big Town, “Better Man” – WINNER
Midland, “Drinkin’ Problem”
Best Roots Gospel Album
The Best of the Collingsworth Family — Volume 1, The Collingsworth Family
Give Me Jesus, Larry Cordle
Resurrection, Joseph Habedank
Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope, Reba McEntire – WINNER
Hope for All Nations, Karen Peck & New River
Best Bluegrass Album
Fiddler’s Dream — Michael Cleveland
Laws Of Gravity — The Infamous Stringdusters – WINNER (Tie)
Original — Bobby Osborne
Universal Favorite — Noam Pikelny
All The Rage – In Concert Volume One [Live] — Rhonda Vincent And The Rage – WINNER (Tie)
Best Americana Album
Gregg Allman, Southern Blood
Brent Cobb, Shine on Rainy Day
Iron & Wine, Beast Epic
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, The Nashville Sound – WINNER
The Mavericks, Brand New Day
Best American Roots Song (Awarded to Songwriters)
David Rawlings, “Cumberland Gap”
The Mavericks, “I Wish You Well”
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, “If We Were Vampires” – WINNER
Rodney Crowell Feat. Rosanne Cash and John Paul White, “It Ain’t Over Yet”
Gregg Allman, “My Only True Friend”
Best American Roots Performance
Alabama Shakes, “Killer Diller Blues” -WINNER
Blind Boys Of Alabama, “Let My Mother Live”
Glen Campbell, “Arkansas Farmboy”
Leonard Cohen, “Steer Your Way”
Alison Krauss, “I Never Cared For You”