Brandi Carlile Adds Best American Roots Song to Her 2019 Grammy Awards Haul
Brandi Carlile started her big night of 2019 Grammy Awards nominations two for two when “The Joke” won for Best American Roots Song. The singer shares the award with co-writers Phil and Tim Hanseroth and Dave Cobb.
In perhaps the most emotional moment of the pre-broadcast Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony festivities, Carlile read aloud a letter she wrote about how such Americana stalwarts as Cobb provide her with a sense of acceptance. She admitted that, if she hadn't won any of the trophies she's nominated for the year, she was going to give the note to Cobb after the fact.
“Americana music is the island of the misfit toys,” Carlile said. “I am such a misfit. It is this music that has shaped my life and made me who I am and even gave me my family — Tim and Phil. I came out of the closet at 15 years old in high school, and I can assure you that I never got invited to any parties or got to attend a dance.
"To be embraced by this community has been the dance of a lifetime," she added. "Thank you for being my island.”
"The Joke" appears on Carlile's Grammy Awards-winning album By the Way, I Forgive You. It edged out stiff competition, including Lee Ann Womack's "All the Trouble," a Jeff Tweedy and Mavis Staples collaboration and a pair of songs off John Prine's fantastic album Tree of Forgiveness.
Carlile won three pre-telecast awards. She's also up for three of the all-genre "general field" categories, which will be handed out during the 2019 Grammy Awards live broadcast, which begins at 8PM ET on CBS.
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