Country music made an impressive showing at the 59th annual Grammy Awards last night with spectacular performances and a few surprises, including first-time wins for Maren Morris and Sturgill Simpson.
Several country artists even managed to snag awards outside of the genre, including Joey and Rory, Hillary Scott and Willie Nelson.
Maren Morris, who had the most country nominations going in, picked up her first Grammy for Best Country Solo Performance for her break-out single "My Church."
After winning the award she said, “Thank you to the Recording Academy. 11 years ago, I went to the first-ever Grammy Camp. It was the first time I ever flew on a plane by myself to L.A., and it’s crazy to be here a decade later. It feels amazing. I was nominated with a lot of my friends in those categories, so to walk away with it… It’s really validating.”
Maren also joined forces with Alicia Keys to sing a song off Maren’s Grammy-nominated Hero album titled “Once.”
“It just felt really natural to be paired with Alicia again because we had already sung together, and we sort of always joked that country and soul are cousins. So, it just seemed natural. She stood in my shoes here before as a Best New Artist nominee, and she won back in the day. So, it was cool to sort of be ushered in by her today.”
Lori McKenna took home the Grammy for Best Country Song as the writer of "Humble and Kind." Last year she picked up the same award for "Girl Crush."
“It’s such an honor to be here amongst all you guys, and I just sat at my dining room table and wrote a song for my kids one day. And Tim McGraw made a moment that, out of this little, tiny, simple prayer that I wrote for five kids, he made this beautiful moment of it.”
Sturgill Simpson won his first Grammy for A Sailor's Guide to Earth, which edged out more mainstream artists Keith Urban, Maren Morris, Loretta Lynn and Brandy Clark for Country Album of the Year honors.
“Like six years ago, I was in Utah, working on the railroad, writing songs at night, and my wife made me quit that job and move to Nashville, so thank you, babe. About two and a half years ago, our first son was born, right around the time my last record came out, so I spent the first year of his life on the road, missing him and her. If it hadn’t been for them, I wouldn’t have written this record, so I have to dedicate this to my family. So, thank y’all very much. I love you.”
Pentatonix's version of "Jolene," featuring Dolly Parton, took the Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. It's the group's third Grammy and Dolly's eighth.
Willie Nelson won Best Traditional Pop Album for Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin. It's Willie's eighth Grammy.
Hillary Scott won her first Grammys without Lady Antebellum - Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for "Thy Will," and Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for Love Remains, which she recorded with her family.
When accepting the award Hillary said, "We just want our music to make something better for somebody somewhere. And it's our dream to see this world become a more beautiful place for anyone that shares in that dream with us. Thank you, we love you and let's do better."
Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood performed their new single, “The Fighter.” Carrie donned one of her signature sequined mini-dresses, while Keith showed off his impeccable guitar skills throughout the performance.
Kelsea Ballerini and Lukas Graham took to the stage for a special mashup performance of their hit singles “Peter Pan” and “Seven Years.”
In honor of the 40th anniversary of Saturday Night Fever, Demi Lovato, Tori Kelly, Little Big Town and Andra Day wowed the crowd with a medley of The Bee Gees' biggest hits. Little Big Town performed “How Deep Is Your Love” and sang along to a “Stayin’ Alive” finale. The artists will also perform at Stayin’ Alive: A Grammy Salute to the Music of the Bee Gees, which takes place on Tuesday night.
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