By CLTure
February 1, 2024
According to Variety, legendary folk/blues singer-songwriter and musician Tracy Chapman will make a rare appearance at the Grammys to perform her hit song, “Fast Car,” with North Carolina’s own Luke Combs. The song was of course covered by the country star for his 2023 album, Gettin’ Old, and went on to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Country Charts. The song also made Chapman the first Black woman to earn a No. 1 country song as a solo writer.
Combs, who was born in Huntersville, but grew up in Asheville, attended Appalachian State University, releasing his first EP, The Way She Rides, in February 2014. Following the release of his debut studio album, This One’s for You, in 2017, Combs was named New Artist of the Year at the 52nd Annual Country Music Association Awards. His latest album, Gettin’ Old, which was released in March of 2023, reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and No. 2 on the Country Albums Chart. The release was followed by a world tour that saw back-to-back sold-out stadium shows in Charlotte back in July.
For Chapman, this will be one of the few rare public performances since her last national tour in 2009. The four-time Grammy Award-winner who rose to stardom in 1988, following the release of her self-titled debut album, famously performed the singles “Fast Car” and “Talkin’ ‘Bout a Revolution” at Nelson Mandela’s 70th Birthday Tribute at Wembley Stadium the same year. Chapman went on to release seven more studio albums with her latest, Our Bright Future, in 2008, and a Greatest Hits record in 2015, last performing on national television in 2020 on Late Night with Seth Myers.
Combs’ cover of “Fast Car” is nominated for Best Country Solo Performance at this year’s 66th annual Grammy Awards, and it could be his first win, following six previous nominations. The awards ceremony will also feature performances by SZA, Burna Boy, Billy Joel, Fantasia, Stevie Wonder, Olivia Rodrigo, Billy Eilish, Travis Scott, Dua Lipa, Lenny Kravitz, Joni Mitchell, and more.
Hosted by comedian Trevor Noah, the 66th annual Grammy Awards will air Sunday, February 4, 2024 at 8 p.m. on CBS and streaming live on Paramount+.
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