According to a report from Variety, Tracy Chapman, who is not frequently seen in public, may make a special appearance at the 2024 Grammy Awards where she will perform with Luke Combs.
According to insiders, Chapman and Luke Combs will perform together on stage, singing Chapman's popular folk-pop song from the late 1980s called "Fast Car." The song tells the story of a couple trying to break free from poverty. In 2023, Combs included a cover of "Fast Car" on his album Gettin' Old, which helped the song reach the top of the country radio charts.
If Chapman decides to perform at the Grammys, it will be a significant and unexpected moment that will likely generate a lot of buzz. Variety reports that she has only appeared in front of cameras three times since 2009, when she finished her last tour.
However, Combs has openly expressed his desire to perform "Fast Car" with the original songwriter and recording artist. In July, after his country cover reached No. 1, his team released a statement indicating that he did not currently have any plans to perform with Chapman, but he would be thrilled if the opportunity presented itself.
Although she has mostly kept a low profile since the song gained popularity again, Chapman has made a few supportive statements about Combs' success with "Fast Car." When the song reached No. 1 on the country charts, she expressed her happiness for Combs and her gratitude towards a new group of fans who have embraced her song. She also mentioned that she never anticipated being on the country charts, but she feels honored to be there.
During the 2023 CMA Awards in November, the song "Fast Car" was awarded Song of the Year. This particular award is given to songwriters, so Tracy Chapman, the songwriter of the song, became the first Black woman to win CMA Song of the Year as the only songwriter. Although Chapman was not present at the ceremony, a message from her was read out loud from the stage after her win was announced.
"I regret that I couldn't attend the event tonight. It means a lot to me that my song is being acknowledged again after 35 years since it was first released. I am grateful to the CMAs and want to give a special thank you to Luke and all the fans of 'Fast Car'."
The song "Fast Car" by Combs is up for Best Country Solo Performance at the Grammy Awards this year. This nomination is his seventh at the Grammys, and if he wins, it will be his first Grammy award.
The 2024 Grammy Awards ceremony will be held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California on Sunday, February 4, 2024. The event will be televised on CBS and also available for live streaming on Paramount+.
15 Country music artists who have never won a Grammy award, listed in order of ranking. Photo credit goes to Billy Dukes.
Additional content from Taste of Country can be found on their website. For more updates