ERIC CHURCH expected controversy when he went with that giant, inflatable devil that pops up on stage during his concerts.
He tells the “New Orleans Times-Picayune”, quote, “It’s a trip. Especially at a country show . . . there [are] a lot of people that don’t know how to take it.
“I’ve always wanted to do that live, because it’s so wrong. Nobody would ever think, ‘Hey, we should do that live.’ I’ve always wanted to see what would happen in that moment. It’s been a neat part of the show.”
GARTH BROOKS saw a video of the “kid chorus” at New York City’s PS22 performing his song “People Loving People” . . . so he hit up social media with words of support. He wrote, quote, “When we learn to love like children . . . just beautiful. Love, Garth.”
[People Loving People]In other GARTH news, he is about to make history yet again. The country music icon will make an unprecedented appearance on ‘Today’ on Jan. 8, appearing in all four hours of the broadcast.
Brooks’ visit to the Emmy-winning show marks the first time in the show’s 62-year history that an artist has appeared in all four hours of the program. The morning talk show often plays host to country artists, with Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Kip Moore, Blake Shelton and others all having appeared.
The 52-year-old artist released his ‘Man Against the Machine’ album in November. He is currently crossing the country on his world tour, along with his wife, Trisha Yearwood.
“This thing is just starting to crack open,” Brooks says of the trek. “You can start to see some light, and you’re starting to catch up, if that makes any sense.”
Brooks was scheduled to appear on ‘Today’ in late November, but he cancelled his appearance in light of the protests and violence occurring in Ferguson, Mo.
“To spend the day promoting our stuff like nothing was wrong seemed distasteful to me,” Brooks said at the time. “I will gladly reschedule any or all appearances the networks will allow.”
ROBERT EARL KEEN brought in NATALIE MAINES to sing backup on his remake of the classic folk song,“Wayfaring Stranger”. It’s from his album “Happy Prisoner: The Bluegrass Sessions”, which is out February 10th.
[REK]
Recordings by WILLIE NELSON and HANK WILLIAMS will be joining the illustrious Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015.
Nelson’s 1978 standards album ‘Stardust’ will enter the Hall of Fame, along with Williams’ 1947 hit, ‘Honky Tonkin.’ Bob Wills’ ‘San Antonio Rose’ is another country recording recognized this year.
Along with ‘Stardust’ and ‘Honky Tonkin,’ other notable additions in 2015 include Bonnie Raitt‘s 1989 album ‘Nick of Time,’ Bob Dylan‘s ‘Blood on the Tracks’ album from 1975, and Neil Young‘s 1972 record, ‘Harvest.’
For more information about the Grammy Hall of Fame, including a full list of inductees, visit Grammy.org.
GLEN CAMPBELL is up for two 2015 Grammy Awards related to the soundtrack EP of the documentary about the singer, ‘Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me.’
Campbell has been nominated for Best Country Song and Best Song Written for Visual Media for his last recorded song, ‘I’m Not Gonna Miss You,’ which was written and produced by Julian Raymond specifically for the film. The song opens up a waterfall of emotions surrounding Campbell’s dealings with his Alzheimer’s disease.
“We were ecstatic that the Recording Academy honored Glen with the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 while he was still able to comprehend the love and appreciation of his peers. And now for them to honor him again with a nomination for a song he recorded while descending into the later stages of Alzheimer’s, there just aren’t enough words to express how blessed we feel,” says Campbell’s wife Kim Campbell, who is featured in the film taking care of her husband while he went through the toughest parts of the disease.
“This song tells the truth of what it’s like to lose your memory and yet be at peace with it,” she adds. “We are very proud of Glen and grateful for God’s grace. We thank the Recording Academy for their love and for bringing attention to the plight of those who live with Alzheimer’s by recognizing this song.”
The project’s soundtrack was released on Sept. 30 and features the Band Perry‘s cover of Campbell’s ‘Gentle On My Mind,’ which earned the group a nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
The soundtrack is available for download on iTunes.