Mountain Musings with Uncle Mott

So You Want To Be A Rock And Roll Star

Being a skeptic, I wasn’t so sure I wanted to watch this year’s Grammy Awards presentation on Feb. 5, but now I’m glad I did. I figured they would mostly be honoring a bunch of foul-mouthed, non-melodious, gangster rappers bad-mouthing the cops, and very few jazz, country, pop and rock musicians, although there would be some of those as well.

So, you want to be a rock and roll star? Then listen now to what I say. Just get an electric guitar then take some time to learn how to play, and with your hair hung right and your pants too tight, it’s gonna be all right, then it’s time to go downtown where the agent man won’t let you down. Sell your soul to the company who are waiting to sell plastic ware and, in a week, or two, if you make the charts, the girls tear you apart… (“So You Want To Be a Rock And Roll Star” – The Byrds – 1967)

What I did like about the Grammys…I mean besides Taylor Swift. (Hey, if I was a teeny bopper, I’d be a “Swifty,” too). Excuse me for the interruption. Let’s see, where was I? Oh, yes, what I liked about the Grammys. First of all, I liked Bad Bunny, who I had never actually seen or heard before. Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rican singer, whose songs are in Spanish and the background music is sort of jazzy, took home his third Grammy in the Best Music Urbana Album category.

Lizzo, who won a Grammy for Best Record of the Year, proved, once again, that she is quite capable of belting out a number with her stunning voice, as did Adele and the fashionably late Beyonce.

Stevie Wonder’s performance, with fellow Motown legend Smokey Robinson, was awesome, as they worked their way through the Temptations’ “The Way You Do the Things you Do” and Smokey’s “Tears of a Clown,” followed by Stevie’s “Higher Ground” with country music star Chris Stapleton shredding on guitar, as the likes of Shania Twain, Chris Martin and Taylor Swift danced with others in the audience. A real showstopper. For me, it was the highlight of the two-hour presentation.

On the other hand, the worst part of the show was the embarrassing performance by Sam Smith, who showed up wearing a dress and singing like a little girl, which he always does. Not to mention Harry Styles… Hmmm. Reminds me of an outfit covered with hair or cat fur.

I enjoyed hearing Brandi Carlile, who won for Best Americana Album, and the live performances by Adele and Kelsea Ballerini. Other than those mentioned, there wasn’t much to satisfy my rock ‘n roll soul.

The price you paid for your riches and fame, was it all a strange game? You’re a little insane, the money the game and the public acclaim, don’t forget what you are, you’re a rock and roll star.

Keep it flyin’,

Uncle Mott