Olivia Rodrigo, Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Eric Church and Melissa Etheridge were part of the all-star line-up that gathered to honor singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow when she was awarded the BMI Troubadour Award in Nashville.
The biggest surprise of the night was Olivia Rodrigo, who flew in to perform “Strong Enough.” Rodrigo also spoke of Crow’s generosity. “Obviously Sheryl is the most magnificent singer-songwriter artist ever,” Rodrigo said, “but what inspires me the most about you is your heart and your kindness and your generosity. I’m sure so many people in here have stories like this, but I was thinking about it on the way over. The first time I ever met Sheryl, we were playing at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame together. We were singing ‘Happy’ with the guitar, and I was playing one of the guitars that the crew gave me, and I was like, ‘This guitar’s awesome. I love it.’ She goes, ‘Oh, do you want it?’ And I was like, ‘Sure. I’m not gonna take Sheryl Crow’s guitar. And wouldn’t you know it, the next day, I woke up and I got a package and it was Sheryl Crow’s guitar. And I just think that it’s my most prized possession.”
Jason Isbell opened the night with “Run Baby Run,” and the evening also featured Melissa Etheridge singing “If It Makes You Happy,” Chris Stapleton singing “Leaving Las Vegas” and Eric Church performing “I Shall Believe.” You can watch videos of Rodrigo’s, Stapleton’s, and Etheridge’s performances below.
In her acceptance speech, Crow reflected on her good fortune. “I tell my bandmates this all the time, but I do feel like this most spoiled, um, let’s just say, legacy artist … as opposed to, like, old lady on the stage. I keep saying to the Grammys, I’m like, ‘You give out Best New. How come you can’t give out Best Old?’”
