Country star Vince Gill may pass on Grammys

First the Grammys had to weather threats of having its annual awards show derailed due to the writers strike. Now one of its album of the year nominees is balking at showing up for the Grammys’ 50th anniversary party.

Sources close to Vince Gill report that the country star was not offered a performance slot that was deemed “appropriate” for an artist of his stature. Gill’s management, they confirm, has thus far turned down opportunities for him to perform on the telecast, and there’s now a good chance he won’t appear on the Feb. 10 broadcast.

In a typical Grammy telecast, each album of the year nominee gets showcased with some sort of marquee performance. But this year is not the typical Grammy broadcast. In hopes of honoring five decades of music, the Recording Academy and producers are said to be going heavy on collaborations and retrospective pieces.

The plan, label sources said, is to celebrate the 50th anniversary with one-of-a-kind, sweeping performances. Expect a Herbie Hancock ensemble piece to be announced in the coming days. But it won't be a showcase for his album-of-the-year-nominated “River: The Joni Letters.”

Other performances already announced include a gospel segment featuring Aretha Franklin and Mary J. Blige, and a pairing of R&B star Rihanna with reunited funk group the Time. The Recording Academy also announced a Beatles segment, combining the casts of Cirque du Soleil's "Love" and the film "Across the Universe."

But a show heavy on communal performances as opposed to solo air time is not, apparently, one that Gill’s manager believe is suitable for the artist. Gill’s manager Larry Fitzgerald was quoted by the Tennessean as saying that Gill was not offered a substantial enough performance slot. According to Fitzgerald: “Grammy producers chose not to offer Vince an appropriate role on this year’s Grammy show.”

Fitzgerald’s office said the manager had no further comment and would not be available to speak on the matter.

The Tennessean reports that Gill was offered “several performance scenarios,” and a representative of Gill’s camp confirms that the Grammy producers were rebuffed. An item in the Washington Post blog Post Rock quotes Gill as saying he turned down a pairing with Brad Paisley. "They asked me to perform a minute of a song of mine and then have Brad Paisley to do a minute of a song of his," Gill says. "But it didn't seem like the right thing to do."

Gill’s camp is also said to have viewed the offer as another slight to Nashville by the Recording Academy.

They point to last year’s Grammys, when Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood were asked to perform songs other than their own. After last year’s telecast, the complaints of the Nashville music community even inspired Recording Academy president Neil Portnow to fly to Nashville to discuss the matter with labels and managers.

A member of Gill’s camp claims the Recording Academy said the next country artist to receive a major pop nomination would be given a premiere performance slot. “But the anniversary show is a completely different Grammy show,” said a representative for one performing Grammy artist. 

Thus far, the only other album of the year nominee who has been announced to perform is the Foo Fighters. The rock band is part of the online fan contest “my Grammy moment,” and will perform with an orchestra conducted by Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones and fans who win the online competition.

It’s still unknown if Amy Winehouse, who recently entered rehab, will be able to appear. The album of the year field is rounded out by Kanye West, who had already  been given significant performance slots at the Grammys in 2005 and 2006.   

A spokeswoman for the Recording Academy did not return calls.

(Photo courtesy Reuters)

Comments

[Frankie R.]

What a shame! Vince should be given a spot to perform...and Herbie should perform with Joni Mitchell for his set instead of giving a rehash of "Rockit" years ago...Come NARAS get with it...

[LoveZilla]

!Viva Vince
At least one TRUE artist
is sending a message to
NARAS and the industry as a whole.

[stacirob]

When this was mentioned in the Nashville press, they said Vince was offered 90 seconds to perform.

[Randy Watson]

What ego! It is sad that he thinks of himself so highly. I guess that "aw shucks" persona of his is just an act. Norma Desmond, move over!

[Frankie R.]

Well if he's given 90 seconds to perform over a full performance by a mediocre or no talent say like Justin Timberlake or the Black Eyed Peas..then Vince has every right to be pissed...

[Justin]

If you'll read between the lines, this isn't about Vince and any "ego." He's long been an ambassador of country music and he's standing up for his entire format. Why should country artist be relegated to short slots and covering pop/rock tunes on the show while other artists get to do full versions of their own songs? Good for Vince for standing up for his format.