Willie Nelson was the 2019 honoree when the Recording Academys Producers & Engineers Wing held its annual Grammy Week celebration on Wednesday in Los Angeles.
Recognizing the artistic achievements and creative genius of the Country Music Hall of Fame member, the event featured remarks from Kacey Musgraves, who praised Nelsons unexpected role as a unifier. He has this really unique ability to unite and really bring people together. Its unlike any artist I can think of, she said. Underdogs, outliers, Republicans, rappers, presidents. Everyone loves Willie.
The icons sons Micah Nelson and Lukas Nelson performed some of their fathers songs, including a moving rendition of Living in the Promiseland, the centerpiece track, written by David Lynn Jones, off Nelsons 1986 album The Promiseland. Nelson himself joined in, along with special guest Dave Matthews, who earlier performed Crazy with Lukas Nelson. The evening ended with a customary sing-along of On the Road Again.
Along with Musgraves and Matthews, Ziggy Marley, Lisa Loeb, Feist, songwriter Diane Warren and Weird Al Yankovic were in attendance.
Nelson is the 11th artist to be recognized by the Producers & Engineers Wing. Past honorees include T Bone Burnett, Neil Young, Jack White, and Alicia Keys & Swizz Beatz.
Nelson is nominated for two Grammys at Sundays awards: Best American Roots Performance for the song Last Man Standing and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for his Frank Sinatra homage My Way. Earlier this week, he announced a new hemp-infused coffee as part of his Willies Remedy wellness line.