The Canadian Country Music Hall of Famer attended the event in Nashville
A star-studded lineup turned out at the Grand Ole Opry House last Monday (Oct 27th) in Nashville, to honor a singular talent. The Music of My Life: A Tribute to Anne Murray saw more than a dozen luminaries take to the Opry’s cherished Circle to honor one of music’s most important figures. Murray entered the auditorium in a shimmering black sequin pantsuit to an enthusiastic crowd. At times throughout the night, she seemed genuinely overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude.
Collin Raye kicked things off with “Daydream Believer,” the Monkees song that Murray took to the No. 3 spot on the U.S. Billboard country chart in the late 70s. Pam Tillis followed, offering a beautiful rendition of “Shadows in the Moonlight.”
A colorfully clad Trisha Yearwood was third out, with the gut-wrenching “Somebody’s Always Saying Goodbye.” Before her song, she thanked Murray for being a trailblazer for women in country music. Victoria Shaw brought the heartache with “Broken Hearted Me,” as Shaw detailed how Murray’s melodies influenced her own writing. (I can certainly hear that influence now when listening to Shaw’s hit, co-written with and performed by Garth Brooks, “The River.”)
The Gatlin Brothers were next, with a particular distinction: They were able to play a song Larry Gatlin had written and several artists had recorded over the years, including Murray: “Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall.” 90s country stalwarts Shenandoah gave a powerhouse rendition of “Could I Have This Dance,” which saw patrons grab their partners for a slow dance in the aisles of the Opry House. It was one of the night’s most joyous moments.
The show continued at a clipped pace, with each artist sharing songs and stories about Murray’s influence. Lorrie Morgan offered “You Need Me,” a shiny Martina McBride delivered “Danny’s Song,” and fellow Canadian Michelle Wright had the honor of playing one of Murray’s signature tunes, “Snowbird.”
Straight No Chaser surprised the crowd with a rendition of “He Thinks I Still Care.”
But the singer and song that stole the show, unquestionably, was Christian music artist Natalie Grant and her breathtaking rendition of “How Great Thou Art.” Her a capella start crescendoed into something magnificent and indescribable, all with a purity of voice that gave the Nashville crowd goosebumps and prompted a standing ovation. Murray herself recorded the gospel standard on her 1999 Christmas album, What a Wonderful World.
There were other tributes to Murray as well. Legendary hockey coach Barry Trotz spoke of Canada’s pride in Murray, while Blake Shelton and Reba McEntire appeared via video to congratulate and thank Murray for her influence. Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame Member Randy Travis received a standing ovation as he walked out, arm-in-arm with wife Mary, as she delivered a heartfelt speech on behalf of the couple. Even though the tribute was not technically a Grand Ole Opry show, Travis’s appearance certainly felt like an “Opry moment.”
The music came to a close with K.D. Lang, barefooted in a flowy blouse, singing a freewheeling “Love Song, that bled into the whole cast–sans Yearwood and an ill Grant–returning for the Murray-penned “A Little Good News”
There was a sense throughout the night that Murray, who has long been a superstar in her native Canada, has never been fully honored for her wider impact on country music in the States. As a reporter, I can say this is likely true, as I learned a lot about her deep bench of writing and recording, which has landed Murray in multiple Halls of Fame. But not yet, it was pointed out a few times, is she in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
There were calls throughout the night for her induction, none more fervent than from a hyped up Nancy Jones, the widow of the late Hall of Famer George Jones. Her shouts of praise and revival-like calls for an Anne Murray induction had everyone fired up. And if this whole tribute is any indication, there’s a legion of fans–from Canadians who traveled to the Opry house to be part of the crowd to some of music’s most important figures–believing and holding out hope that for the next Medallion ceremony, maybe–just maybe–they’ll be ‘a little good news’ for Murray.
Collin Raye – Daydream Believer
Pam Tillis – Shadows In The Moonlight
Trisha Yearwood – Somebody’s Always Saying Goodbye
Barry Trotz – comments
Victoria Shaw – Broken Hearted Me
The Gatlin Brothers – Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall
Blake Shelton – video
Lorrie Morgan – You Needed Me
Hugh Howser – Comedy Set
Shenandoah – Could I Have This Dance
Randy and Mary Travis – comments
Michelle Wright – Snowbird
Natalie Grant – How Great Thou Art
Gordie, Amelie, & Dylan – Put Your Hand In The Hand
Reba McEntire – video
Martina McBride – Danny’s Song
Kathy Mattea – I Just Fall In Love Again
Nancy Jones – comments
Straight No Chaser – He Thinks I Still Care
k.d. lang – A Love Song
Cast – A Little Good News
