47 Years In, Tanya Tucker Wins First Grammy Award(s) at 61
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It’s been a long road for Tanya Tucker, but she has finally received distinction from the Recording Academy. In fact, she received a few of them during the 2020 Grammy Awards Premier Ceremony Sunday (1-26) afternoon before the televised portion of the program.
First nominated for a Grammy Award in 1973 for her breakout single “Delta Dawn” recorded when she was just 13-years-old, Tanya Tucker was nominated for 10 more Grammys before winning finally her first for Best Country Song for “Bring My Flowers Now.” That means she’s waited 47 years to walk away with a Grammy trophy. Then Tanya did herself one better by walking away with arguably the biggest country distinction of the night, Best Country Album for her comeback record While I’m Livin’.
“After 50 years in this business, and it’s still unbelievable to me that I still have a few firsts left. So after 14 trips, 14 nominations, this is the first win, and I can’t believe it.” Tanya Tucker told the crowd after winning for Best Country Song—a songwriters award that she will share with co-writer Brandi Carlile, who also co-produced her record with Shooter Jennings, as well as Phil and Tim Hanseroth. “[Brandi] helped me finish this song that I started writing over 40 years ago. I just want to say that no matter how young or old you are, never stop following your dreams. Keep going.”
“This is really Tanya’s moment, and this is her song,” Brandi Carlile said. “And this song is a story of her life, and it’s one of the great honors of my life to stand up here when you get your first Grammy at 61-years-old. Women in country music leading the way!”
Moments later, Tanya Tucker was also announced as the winner for Best Country Album, beating out mainstream performers such as Eric Church, Thomas Rhett, the Pistol Annies, and Reba McEntire. In accepting Best Country Album, Tanya told the story of how Shooter convinced her to record While I’m Livin’.
“‘I don’t think I’m coming out there to make this record. I just don’t think I can do it,'” Tanya told Shooter. “And he said, ‘Tanya, you always said you would do anything in the world for me, just do this for me.’ And I did. I did it for Shooter, and I met Brandi, and I’ve never known such a talented person in my life. There are no words to express what I feel right now.”
Brandi Carlile then added, “Me and Shooter asked Tanya why she hadn’t made an album in almost 20 years, and she said ’cause when her mom and her dad died, she just couldn’t do it anymore. She though that it meant there was more love behind her in her life than ahead of her, and she knows that’s not true right now.”
Other big country and roots winners from the Premier Ceremony include Willie Nelson who won for Best Country Solo Performance for his song, “Ride Me Back Home,” Michael Cleveland won Best Bluegrass Album for Tall Fiddler, and Patty Griffin won Best Folk Album for her self-titled release. Dolly Parton also won another Grammy for her collaboration with For King & Country, while country songwriter Natalie Hemby won for Best Song Written For Visual Media with “I’ll Never Love Again.”
Best Country Duo/Group Performance is still to be handed out, and will likely be done during the main telecast. Tanya Tucker is also up for the all-genre Best Country Song for “Bring My Flowers Now” that will be handed out during the main Grammy broadcast on CBS.
Tyler Childers, who was up for Best Country Solo Performance of “All Your’n,” flew in from his European tour to be in attendance, but unfortunately did not walk away with the trophy. Though Tanya Tucker is certainly happy with her wins, it’s worth nothing they were handed out during the Premier Ceremony streamed online as opposed to the major CBS broadcast as often happens for either Best Country Song or Best Country Album.
2020 Grammy Awards Country Winners So Far:
Best Country Album:
Desperate Man — Eric Church
Stronger Than The Truth — Reba McEntire
Interstate Gospel — Pistol Annies
Center Point Road — Thomas Rhett
While I’m Livin’ — Tanya Tucker – WINNER
Best Country Song:
“Bring My Flowers Now” — Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth & Tanya Tucker, Songwriters (Tanya Tucker) – WINNER
“Girl Goin’ Nowhere” — Jeremy Bussey & Ashley Mcbryde, Songwriters (Ashley Mcbryde)
“It All Comes Out In The Wash” — Miranda Lambert, Hillary Lindsey, Lori Mckenna & Liz Rose, Songwriters (Miranda Lambert)
“Some Of It” — Eric Church, Clint Daniels, Jeff Hyde & Bobby Pinson, Songwriters (Eric Church)
“Speechless” — Shay Mooney, Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers & Laura Veltz, Songwriters (Dan + Shay)
Best Country Solo Performance:
“All Your’n” — Tyler Childers
“Girl Goin’ Nowhere” — Ashley McBryde
“Ride Me Back Home” — Willie Nelson – WINNER
“God’s Country” — Blake Shelton
“Bring My Flowers Now” — Tanya Tucker
Best Bluegrass Album:
Tall Fiddler — Michael Cleveland – WINNER
Live In Prague, Czech Republic — Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Toil, Tears & Trouble — The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys
Royal Traveller — Missy Raines
If You Can’t Stand The Heat — Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
Best Americana Album:
Years To Burn — Calexico and Iron & Wine
Who Are You Now — Madison Cunningham
Oklahoma — Keb’ Mo’ – WINNER
Tales Of America — J.S. Ondara
Walk Through Fire — Yola
Best American Roots Song:
“Black Myself” — Amythyst Kiah, songwriter (Our Native Daughters)
“Call My Name” — Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’donovan & Sara Watkins, songwriters (I’m With Her) – WINNER
“Crossing To Jerusalem” — Rosanne Cash & John Leventhal, songwriters (Rosanne Cash)
“Faraway Look” — Dan Auerbach, Yola Carter & Pat Mclaughlin, songwriters (Yola)
“I Don’t Wanna Ride The Rails No More” — Vince Gill, songwriter (Vince Gill)
Best American Roots Performance:
“Saint Honesty” — Sara Bareilles – WINNER
“Father Mountain” — Calexico With Iron & Wine
“I’m On My Way” — Rhiannon Giddens With Francesco Turrisi
“Call My Name” — I’m With Her
“Faraway Look” — Yola
Best Folk Album:
My Finest Work Yet — Andrew Bird
Rearrange My Heart — Che Apalache
Patty Griffin — Patty Griffin – WINNER
Evening Machines — Gregory Alan Isakov
Front Porch — Joy Williams
January 26, 2020 @ 4:58 pm
I love “Ride Me Back Home.”
January 26, 2020 @ 5:43 pm
Can’t wait for Brandi Carlile to make this all about her
January 26, 2020 @ 5:52 pm
Oh don’t worry, it’s too late…
That said, good for her, Tanya, and Shooter. Wouldn’t have been my pick, but SO much better than other options. It’s a win for the good guys, and means the world to Tanya.
January 26, 2020 @ 6:06 pm
I agree on all points. I’m just a little over Brandi’s low key self aggrandizing
January 27, 2020 @ 9:52 am
I’m so glad for Tanya. Would have been glad for Reba too. Goes to show how artists in the game for a while still have this kind of effect. No pre cooked “American Idol” ham/pop princess stuff. Just real music from enduring artists who continue to create and be relevant in a firm that is in transition (?)…
January 26, 2020 @ 5:43 pm
What a great honor, for Tanya, Brandi, & Shooter!
January 26, 2020 @ 7:51 pm
First I will say congrats to Tanya…..Bet she isn’t complaining about The Grammys tonight. Remember the year they took The Grammys to NY, Tanya was the one that complained that the Country Artist wasn’t treated fair by The Grammy Asso. (which I agreed) Noticed Brandi Carlile was by Tanya’s side.Right on the stage as she collected her trophy. Guess it means more interviews?
January 27, 2020 @ 4:18 pm
Well, the country folks STILL aren’t treated that well on the Grammy broadcast but it was wonderful to see Tanya get to sing on the show as well as win two awards.
And kudos too to Billy Ray Cyrus for finally winning a Grammy too. In an industry with a lot of jerks, he’s one of the good guys whether you like his music or not and I kinda do.
January 26, 2020 @ 9:01 pm
I’m really pleased for Tanya, and Trigger is right — it’s a win for the good guys — but I still feel Reba’s was the better album. This was for reasons including that Reba cut the best songs she could find from anywhere, not just the best songs that Brandi Carlisle could write.
January 26, 2020 @ 11:08 pm
indeed , anthony ..reba had the better COUNTRY record …from the songwriting to the arrangements , the players and reba’s own vocal performances .. happy for tanya , of course , and Lord knows reba has had many moments ….but they got this one way wrong IMHO .
January 27, 2020 @ 7:00 am
Agreed, Albert — Reba’s album was wonderful for all the reasons you mention.
January 27, 2020 @ 8:43 am
Well stated Albert. Like many here, I was excited Tanya had new music, but disappointed a little with the production, specifically the Americana sound. And I agree with Trig in other posts that Brandi’s contributions came across heavy handed and obviously intended to boost her own pocketbook by co-writing all the songs. But, as a business move, it was beneficial for both of them. And you can’t deny it’s been successful to a degree, putting Tanya Tucker back in people’s conciousness. But, was this really the best country album of the year? Nope. This award was I think, in part due to the producer herself, who is a current favorite of the Grammy folks. Nonetheless, Tanya is one of the true legends of our music and she’s getting big recognition. Go Tanya!
January 27, 2020 @ 7:42 am
Congrats to Tanya Tucker!
Might not be the best album…but it was about time.
More Award Show News:
The 48th Golden Guitar Awards in Tamworth took place.
Not as big as the american (“country”) award shows, less glitz & glimmer but much more down home & authentic. The red carpet was well…red & short…very short.
The big winner with 6 Golden Guitars: Felicity Urquhart!
She took home Female Artist of the Year, Single of the Year (“Chain Of Joy”) written together with Kim Richey, APRA AMCOS Song of the Year (“Chain Of Joy”), Traditional Country Album of the Year (Frozen Rabbit) & the album also on for Best Album overall.
Together with Luke O’Shea she won the Golden Guitar for writing the Heritage Song of the Year (“Sing Me A Story”)
“Sing Me A Story” sung by Luke O’Shea & Lyn Bowtell also won Vocal Collaboration of the Year.
Brad Butcher won or the best Alt-Country Album of the Year (Travelling Salesman).
Kristy Cox won again for best Bluegrass Recording (“Yesterdays Heartache”).
The Bush Ballad award went to Allan Caswell & Manfred Vijars for the Allan Caswell sung “Country Copper”.
Best Duo or Group of the Year went to Kevin Bennett & The Flood.
Instrumental of the Year is “Timeless Traveller” by Rod McCormack while artist Fanny Lumsden & her hubby Dan Stanley Freeman won Video of the Year for “Real Men Don’t Cry (War On Pride)”.
Blake O’Connor won the 2019 Toyota Star Maker (Australias biggest talent competition & only for young country acts)…now he won the Golden Guitar for New Talent of the Year.
Sammy White is the new Toyota Star Maker 2020.
Lee Kernaghan won his 38th Golden Guitar for the Top Selling Australian Album of the Year (Backroad Nation). He is equalling the record set by the legendary Slim Dusty.
The now 90 year old Joy McKean was inducted into the Roll Of Renown. The wife of Slim Dusty is a living legend. Singer, songwriter, manager, mentor… .
But, but, but what about Male Artist & Contemporary Album of the Year?
Both awards went to Morgan Evans…meh.
The show was hosted by three young artists: Caitlyn Shadbolt, Sinead Burgess & Melanie Dyer. The red carpet was co-hosted by artist Andrew Swift.
January 27, 2020 @ 9:43 am
Congratulations Tanya. It’s about time. Since Delta Dawn in 1972 she has been a pioneer with all the “living” along the way.
January 27, 2020 @ 10:59 am
Trigger, why is this album getting so much critical acclaim when anyone with a listening ear (including yourself and Tanya herself) can tell it’s a less-than-stellar end product? Is it a manufactured push, critics just interested because of Brandi Carlile’s involvement, or something else?
January 27, 2020 @ 12:54 pm
Tanya Tucker wouldn’t have been my pick, but when you’re winning over Thomas Rhett and Dan + Shay, we’ll take it. It’s the Grammy Awards, you pick your battles, and get what you can. The Best Country Album nominations were stacked this year. Most everyone deserved it.
January 29, 2020 @ 1:33 am
They’re kissing Brandi’s you know what for obvious reasons. It’s not really about Tanya, unfortunately for her….
January 27, 2020 @ 12:00 pm
If the album doesn’t deserve the award, it shouldn’t win it. The Grammys get it wrong often enough, but it’s almost insulting to a stellar artist, in my opinion, when their lesser work is what is commended. It seems arbitrary, not genuine.
It should have gone to Reba or Church, period.
January 28, 2020 @ 12:45 pm
Not genuine, you say. You know that everything is bought and paid for, specially the nominations. This is all about $$$$$$$.
January 27, 2020 @ 12:19 pm
Tanya hired a member of the Board to shoot her videos. She is nominated and then wins. It’s a tight knit community.
January 27, 2020 @ 12:51 pm
Tanya had the critical acclaim going in, topping a lot of the end-of-year list. Not saying there isn’t some concerns for the Grammy system, but who made who’s video I don’t think measured in here.
January 27, 2020 @ 2:49 pm
Yeah, I am going to ignore how unbiased that board member seems to be on IG right now.
January 27, 2020 @ 7:33 pm
EVERYONE Please back off. Let Tanya have her day!!! She has earned it, deserves it and got it! Everyone whose opinion that it wasn’t the best of the bunch that is your opinion. My opinion is that it was the best of the bunch. Whining and sniffling about Reba’s being better, Brandi’s influence, a board member… it’s all sour grapes. Move on children.. there are books to color in, now grab them crayons and get busy on y’all’s own works of art. Maybe there is a Van Gogh among us.. lol. No but really,
January 28, 2020 @ 10:51 am
Congrats Tanya! My favorite Tanya Tucker song of all time is the one she did with Paul Davis and Paul Overstreet called “I Won’t Take Less Than Your Love.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov9xewZCt1k
January 28, 2020 @ 10:56 pm
Yay Tanya, I do think the album deserved it, partly because Brandi is a great songwriter. But mostly because Tanya Tucker!!!!!
Brandi didn’t need Tanya, but I think Tanya needed Brandi and Shooter to bring her back to life, and I am so grateful to them for that. It’s an inspiring story for us older folks, too. Don’t give up, the best is yet to come!!
YAAAY TANYA!!
October 2, 2023 @ 8:29 am
I am late to this party, but after reading the comments I had to say…Tanya Tucker deserved this recognition and so much more. She is an icon, a trailblazer for women in the country music industry. She has never been given the proper respect. I assure you, no one in power has ever favored her or she would have had many more “wins.” She was judged and penalized for her lifestyle as a young woman, while the Waylands, Willies, Merle’s, and Cash’s who lived on the wild side, were lauded and adored. Her incomparable voice, the life and stories reflected honestly through her songs, the vulnerability she is willing to share…all are elements of what we believe to be real country music. No one deserved it more.