As Grammy season approaches CBS will broadcast two special throwback programs between Christmas and New Year's Day. " Grammy Greats: The Stories Behind the Songs " focuses on winners of the Song of the Year category while "Grammy Greats: The Most Memorable Moments" highlights significant Grammy duets and individual performances. Ken Ehrlich a producer who has worked on almost every Grammys broadcast from 1980 through 2020 has developed both shows sharing interviews he recorded with numerous music artists.
Ken Ehrlich's Grammy Retrospectives Feature Interviews With Music Legends Including Billie Eilish And Joni Mitchell
Ken Ehrlich's expertise and involvement in countless Grammy ceremonies will be apparent in these retrospective programs and will showcase his encyclopedic knowledge of music. He has interviewed many famous artists for these special programs that include Billie Eilish and Finneas Joni Mitchell Dua Lipa Sting Elton John John Mayer Annie Lennox St. Vincent Bonnie Raitt LL Cool J Luke Combs Kenny Loggins and Brandi Carlile. The segments focus specifically on songs lyrics and memorable pairings from past ceremonies from over the years.
Three CBS Specials In One Week Mark a Milestone for Grammy Producer Ken Ehrlich
This weekend’s dual Grammy specials conclude a run of three shows produced by Ehrlich that are airing this week with the initial program premiering on Christmas Eve a Christmas Special with Andrea Bocelli. Having such large programming output within such a small timeframe isn't common for even this Grammy production veteran with this much content having not been on air in this way in 25 years according to the long term creative force at CBS.
"Grammy Greats: The Stories Behind The Songs" Focuses On Songwriters And Their Unique Experiences
Ken Ehrlich sat with Variety Magazine to discuss the Grammy Greats shows as "Grammy Greats: The Stories Behind the Songs" will debut Friday at 9PM ET with “Memorable Moments” airing Sunday at same time each show being co-hosted by Gayle King . "Grammy Greats: The Stories Behind the Songs" also sees country singer Mickey Guyton serving as co host and is especially close to Ehrlich as it covers the Song of the Year awards at the Grammys reflecting his view point as someone passionate about song writing . He expresses that his musical appreciation is mostly from the words as he started out listening to Elvis Presley and then other musical artists. His unique music appreciation and personal involvement with these artists plus his understanding of their unique creative and writing processes sets the background and tone of these shows. Ehrlich also shared that he did his Grammy interviews last summer in person with Sting John Mayer Billie Eilish Annie Lennox Kenny Loggins and St Vincent. A few select interviews including Dua Lipa were conducted virtually by the creative team.
The Andrea Bocelli Christmas Special and Rapid Production for the Television Event
The Andrea Bocelli special occurred rather suddenly after an agreement between Ken Ehrlich Branden Chapmen from the Recording Academy and CBS as network executive showed large interest in the project. The network then purchased the show which was put together in approximately three and a half weeks prior to television airing that saw the filming of two of Bocelli’s fully sold out shows at Las Vegas and Los Angeles as production events . Several new Christmas songs not part of original concerts got incorporated and captured at the performances within this quickly planned project showcasing both large scale live production events along with Christmas holiday tradition music into one unique event .
Songwriting Emphasis and Deeper Musicality Highlight The “Stories Behind the Songs” Grammy Special
Ehrlich stated in the interview the Grammy show highlighting Song of the Year winners remains closest to his heart due to his deep personal love for songwriting that developed throughout his musical exposure and development . His interview discussion with Elton John and Bernie Taupin while working on the Gershwin Prize special provided insight into song production processes and lyrical interpretation. The show uses musical selections including “What a Fool Believes” “Daughters” and “Fallin” highlighting lyrics for many different generations demonstrating the ubiquitous qualities of these tunes. Ehrlich says these songs selected feel very familiar like a part of people's DNA providing the show a common ground for viewership and for enjoyment.
Bonnie Raitt's Song of The Year Win Provides A Platform To Discuss How Songwriting Can Prevail Over Popularity
Bonnie Raitt’s win for “Just Like That” during 2023 which also highlights her personal journey within musical artistry demonstrated to many that an emotionally moving ballad that tackles transplant issues can triumph despite not becoming mainstream hit unlike most "Record of The Year" choices. The interview showed many different points of view highlighting how such an emotional song garnered success featuring Dr Jill Biden who awarded the talented artist. The award ceremony itself created a great emotional experience where art met with policy and real world social change as President Joe Biden created new transplantation laws later. Ehrlich first collaborated with Raitt for a “Sound Stage” in 1975 with their continued musical career intersecting at this pivotal performance and awards win within this project with great effect.
Brandi Carlile Offers Musical Insights Through Personal Experience and Historical Perspective
Brandi Carlile while not herself a Song of the Year winner participated as guest offering opinions about historic songwriting while talking about her own unique process and analytical abilities regarding song production. She spoke of her own career highs such as her songs “The Story” and “The Joke” which are of equal caliber or above songs that have claimed victory showcasing the nuances of music. Ken Ehrlich also discussed discovering Carlile similarly to Elton John with “The Story” recognizing talent despite label management issues who ultimately dropped her despite having such musical skill and song writing ability. Carlile's personal journey which covers being dropped by her label and the rise of "The Joke” into mainstream acceptance highlights talent will always prevail despite setbacks.
“Dance With My Father”: The Heartfelt Story Connecting Luther Vandross And Richard Marx Through Song
Richard Marx story of writing “Dance With My Father” for Luther Vandross with its emotionally connective qualities was highlighted. Marx shares he was at the Night Bird Studio when speaking with Ehrlich giving insights as to how that specific space combined with grief from his and Luthers father played huge role during musical production along with what resulted a song of meaningful emotional content. Vandross stroke soon after mixing of music forced him to take a rest while Celine Dion sang during broadcast due to the artist's own loss making story a complete meaningful whole that included everyone . The "producers" directed to those producing music were made an emphasis for interviewees with specific guidance being given. This all worked towards creating very unique interviews and musical moments captured from those that participated during the project .
In Memoriam Segment of Grammy Moments Show Creates a New Standard Of Tribute To The Artists Lost
Ehrlich notes he is responsible for initiating music during the In Memoriam segment and also recalls when Clash tribute from 2003 created opportunities to get famous individuals Bruce Springsteen Elvis Costello Dave Grohl and Little Steven on stage. This also provided unique possibilities to add musical scores where they previously were absent. After that initial success other artists including Warren Zevon were highlighted with the "Keep Me in Your Heart" segment followed by tributes to Ray Charles by Bonnie and Billy Preston and to Etta James through Bonnie and Alicia also creating memorable highlights and iconic stage show experiences.
Smoldering Performance Between Dua Lipa and St Vincent And Highlighting Hip Hop Through Performances
Dua Lipa’s and St. Vincent performance together during their medley of “Masseduction” and “One Kiss” was featured showing the close connection among the performers with high performance value. The creative team including Ken Ehrlich was eager to work with St. Vincent so pairing her with Lipa was a perfect way to elevate performances showing innovation. The pairing produced amazing chemistry due to the short rehearsal period and no one was aware of the end product in time before final event occurred providing raw connection with fans of all forms. The show addressed its prior hesitance toward the hip-hop scene showcasing T.I. M.I.A. Jay-Z and Kanye in 2009 and the 15 minute rap segment from the past year’s Grammy performances with specific acknowledgment to the innovative approaches by Harvey Mason Jr and Jesse Collins which highlighted musical shifts within the music scene over past few decades.
The Iconic Prince and Beyonce Performance Illustrates The Magic And Impact of Grammy Performances
Prince's impact at Grammy was very short however he did appear with Beyonce performing "Baby I'm a Star" and this created an iconic moment which was discussed . Prince contacted Ehrlich about performing with Beyonce to get an amazing show segment created . Ehrlich contacted Matthew Knowles and also Tina Knowles as Beyonce was working on Dangerously in Love and was concerned with solo performance time despite mother Tina’s encouragement creating behind the scene looks into the collaborative approaches between top talents. Prince as performer was both enigmatic and comedic with this show attempting to demonstrate both facets of his overall talent during his creative years and high level performances.
Ken Ehrlich's Love of Music Across Generations Highlights Universal Importance Of This Form of Art
Ken Ehrlich discusses he continues to connect with 19 year old music enthusiasts and also 50 year old music listeners showcasing music being a common ground to bond and to exchange ideas and values. He noted his cousin’s 21-year-old son sharing similar experiences of love and appreciation as with other music peers regardless of age bracket. Ehrlich's own journey into loving Black musical artists as part of early influences that led to doo-wop genres is very apparent. He started working with African American employees at shipping docks where music like blues and R&B showed up as strong forms of influence for his love of the musical experience.
Ehrlich reflects that these recent programs created experiences similar to when writing his 2007 book "At the Grammys: Behind the Scenes at Music's Biggest Night" . He has created multiple shows this year such as Elton specials with the Grammys showing his lasting influence in music despite decades in the field . The Grammys plus the CBS network have indicated more future show potential if these recent releases are well received . Ehrlich noted a potential exploration of R&B and country music and the vast range of incredible undiscovered content created through the years for further shows. He wants future generations to continue exploring these catalogs showcasing past performances that can be streamed for decades to come with unique historical and artist driven elements that continue relevance through generations of viewers and listeners.