Photo Courtesy: Dyer Design

On Saturday, Feb. 1, the Americana Music Associate and American Music Foundation teamed up for a pre-Grammy salute to celebrate the mastery of John Hiatt’s musical output and sage career. The night also served as a benefit for MusiCares to help the Los Angeles community impacted by early January wildfires.  

A stacked lineup of artists showed their love and musical appreciation for Hiatt. Each seized the opportunity to cover a tune associated with the honoree, beginning with Little Feat, who offered their take on “Slow Turning.” Then, Molly Jenson and Phillip Kroenengold stepped up and delivered “She Loves the Jerk.”

Shemekia Copeland added soul to “Love Like Blood” before Hiatt’s daughter, Lilly, performed “You Must Go.” Later on, Cedric Burnside applied his might to “Icy Blue Heart” before swapping spots with Michael McDonald, who offered a rendition of Hiatt’s “Have a Little Faith in Me.” “Drive South” brought Sarah Jarosz to the forefront before Maggie Rose continued her LA sweep (following participation in the Dead’s MusiCares Honors event) by playing “Riding With the King.” 

Harvard grad and member Rage Against the Machines’ Tom Morello covered “The River Knows Your Name” ahead of Lyle Lovett’s treatment of “Train to Birmingham.” Before the honorees arrived on stage, The Milk Cartoon Kids gave their all on “One for the One,” which preluded I’m With Her, who played through the Crossing Muddy Waters title track. 

Hiatt turned up next and joined Los Lobos for a take on “Down on the River Bed.” Without guests, the honoree gave wings to his own “Memphis in the Meantime,” Ry Cooder’s “Across the Borderline.” Returning to his originals, Hiatt worked through the aptly titled “The Music Is Hot” before Brandy Clark assisted the music maven with “Thing Called Love.” 

Hiatt has received 10 Grammy nominations during his career, covering a wide range of genres, including rock, country, contemporary folk, Americana, and more, but he has never won the award. 

Hiatt joins a list that already includes previous honorees: Paul Simon (2024), Lucinda Williams (2023), Willie Nelson (2020), John Prine (2019), Emmy Lou Harris (2018), and others.