CBS will broadcast two special two-hour throwbacks dedicated to Grammy Awards featuring legendary producer Ken Ehrlich. The first “Grammy Greats: The Stories Behind the Songs” will air Friday. The second “ Grammy Greats: The Most Memorable Moments ” showcasing unusual duet pairings and unique single moments from past award shows airs Sunday.
Producer Ken Ehrlich Presents Grammy Specials After Decades of Awards Show Experience and Relationships
Ken Ehrlich who produced nearly every Grammy telecast between 1980 to 2020 (except for one ) presents two Grammy shows for this holiday weekend. He personally selected clips interviewed artists and shared stories from the Grammys extensive archives. Interviews by Ehrlich also feature major music names Billie Eilish Finneas Joni Mitchell Dua Lipa Sting Elton John John Mayer Annie Lennox St Vincent and Bonnie Raitt among others. Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich secured all the big stars to tell compelling stories across both specials.
Three CBS Specials Highlight Ehrlich's Impact Across a Full Week Demonstrating Music's Broad Appeal
CBS aired Andrea Bocelli Christmas special on Christmas Eve that also was produced by Ehrlich. This triple program format marks Ehrlich’s most intense programming schedule over the span of a single week within the last twenty five years . Ehrlich’s programs show a broad range of artistic talent across diverse musical styles with programs like Andrea Bocelli's special alongside the two Grammy special broadcasts further solidifying the creative and production efforts of Ehrlich within CBS networks. This programming also gives an extensive view into music through different angles such as awards and behind the scenes analysis of creative processes within song creation itself.
“Grammy Greats: The Stories Behind the Songs” Explores Meaningful Songwriting With Insights by Leading Artists
Variety interviewed producer Ehrlich about "Grammy Greats The Stories Behind the Songs" which is broadcast Friday evening also featuring a co-host from Mickey Guyton plus “Memorable Moments” that is broadcast Sunday evening with Jimmy Jam as co-host and both broadcasts airing on CBS. Gayle King will co-host all programs alongside Mickey Guyton plus Jimmy Jam. Ehrlich indicated the Song of the Year category had specific appeal as the focus of a special that allowed for more in depth creative insight. Ehrlich described this category as his personal favorite because from his childhood his core love of music came through listening to all types of songs especially after growing up on Elvis and doo-wop in his childhood. The special program on songwriting has its basis in stories behind the creation process showing performers and writers and the processes they followed along the way. Several interviews involved major in person discussions from music names like Sting John Mayer Billie Eilish and Finneas plus a variety of virtual talks such as Dua Lipa all showcasing how songs form into a creative process of art form and its impact with the listening audience.
Ehrlich's Focus on Lyricism and Personal Narratives as Source for Compelling Music Stories From Grammys
Ehrlich explained song creation holds personal narratives for performers and writers alike giving each performance depth that was specifically highlighted during the shows many selections. Song selection was deliberately chosen for their individual impact as well as those that might require introduction as well for wider range of viewing audience. Ehrlich included the 2023 Song of the Year winner Bonnie Raitt’s “Just Like That” to highlight its emotional and storytelling focus while contrasting the often popular category “Record of the Year”. The segment highlighting "Dance With My Father" by Luther Vandross and Richard Marx and Celine’s performance touched upon both deep human emotions as well as artistic creation adding meaningful emotional layers into its storyline. This episode demonstrated through his chosen tracks powerful impact from music extending to the way he engaged in personal conversations with major personalities all demonstrating a profound engagement with story telling through musical narratives.
Brandi Carlile’s Unique Perspective On Songwriting Highlighted in Special as She Analyzes Classic Tunes and Meaning
Brandi Carlile shares her opinions about songwriting as an accomplished songwriter whose past works such as “The Story” are considered among the best that demonstrate analytical yet emotional takes. Ehrlich has indicated how the label failed to promote “The Story” at release before its success further showing her musical journey that she also discussed within the broadcast specials. Ehrlich often references Elton John and his long term admiration for finding new and talented musical performers including the discovery of Brandi Carlile during New Orleans discussions highlighting how he has worked alongside other established talent to identify new and coming musical performances that may be missed among audiences. The collaborative element of these broadcasts emphasizes the many different aspects of musical enjoyment along with sharing and communication.
"Grammy Greats: The Most Memorable Moments" Captures Memorable Musical Moments
Ehrlich states the most special moment to him was “In Memoriam” segment created by him which also added the element of putting musical performances to the memorial segments. Ehrlich originally hesitated in producing the In Memoriam however eventually did add a musical touch that continues throughout the years today such as his 2003 Clash tribute which included collaborations from Bruce Springsteen Elvis Costello Dave Grohl and Little Steven. A tribute honoring Ray Charles brought together Bonnie and Billy Preston and also a later show featuring Bonnie Raitt plus Alicia Keys together with other events also highlighted the many artistic performances during the special broadcasts.
“Grammy Greats: The Most Memorable Moments” also includes performance of Dua Lipa and St Vincent medley with "Masseduction"/"One Kiss" before Dua Lipa achieved fame and mainstream recognition demonstrating many performances often bring exposure to unknown names into wide spread stardom. Ehrlich had originally intended to put St Vincent on stage but later made a creative match with Dua Lipa leading to their popular duet creating a more compelling performance which also pushed for progressive visual and presentation to create unique and artistic interpretation that often is missed throughout larger network broadcasting productions.
This specific presentation highlighted the progression of hip-hop at the Grammy Awards plus performances from earlier time periods such as T.I. MIA Jay and Kanye collaboration in 2009 showcasing the growing reach within mainstream popularity among a varied listening demographic. Prince with Beyoncé collaboration for “Baby I’m a Star” became another unforgettable Grammy’s highlight that came to being after he called the show for inclusion for the award show demonstrating the influence that the show also carries along with many individual performers during performances. Ehrlich stated that Prince was an inspiration that challenged many of his own production approaches as he created moments that elevated and altered his creative processes.
Ehrlich Discusses Ongoing Fascination With Music and Broad Interest In Both Established and Upcoming Artists
Ehrlich communicates a genuine love for music saying he enjoys communicating with emerging talents with young and more experienced talent alike. Ehrlich said the shared language of music provides connection showing musical love across different generations plus life experiences that can bond even individuals that might come from completely opposite ends of societal viewpoints. His background listening to African American artists during childhood has served to shape the musical preferences he has curated over time as he worked alongside Cliff and Richard who were among the greatest influence to his personal development while he was young and still figuring out the world as they introduced him to classic sounds of music.
Looking Back at 2007 “At the Grammys!: Behind the Scenes at Music’s Biggest Night" After Recent CBS Broadcast Specials
Ehrlich compared doing these broadcasts to the feeling he had in 2007 when writing “At the Grammys!: Behind the Scenes at Music’s Biggest Night”. He noted that these broadcast specials made him look back at his life experiences with some humility as well and acknowledge some important musical milestones and creative influences that helped to mold his creative spirit that allows to continually work toward his craft. The 2024 year saw him do four CBS specials with Elton John also among the productions marking a year of huge projects and continued influence on popular broadcast.
Ehrlich suggested that if people show good viewership to the broadcasts that CBS and The Recording Academy would welcome other creative collaboration showing there may be more specials planned highlighting “Record and Album of the Year” titles while including categories with historical value from different genres . These planned series would be for a limited duration that should allow opportunity to unearth memorable performances for the wider audience especially those with a history of great value that is often forgotten due to popular focus on current stars and artists within the pop space.