The Country Music Side of the Late Glenn Frey
The music world lost a giant today, news of Glenn Frey's passing is circling the globe and as we all look back on his life and career I have so many concert memories and favorite Eagles songs in my head, However, I also immediately thought about the 1993 event that is credited with the Eagles reuniting. Plus, the country music success the Eagles had with J.D Souther single "How Long" that they released in 2007.
Skip to the video if you already know this story. If you don't then read on. In the early 1990's Travis Tritt and country artists came together to pay tribute to the Eagles with an album entitled "Common Thread:The Songs of the Eagles". And the story says that it was the December 6, 1993 taping of Travis Tritt's video for "Take It Easy" from that album that is credited with the Eagles getting back together. Travis requested the "Long Run" Eagles line up for the video and lucky for all of us they all showed up. The whole tale is cover in a great Flashback article by Rolling Stone in December of 2014. Click here to read more.
The 1993 tribute album included covers from Alan Jackson, Vince Gill, Trisha Yearwood and other top country artists in Nashville at the time. The 13 songs album contains many Eagle's fan favorites like Tequila Sunrise, Lyin' Eyes and New Kid in Town. Glenn Frey actually help pen 11 of the 13 songs selected for the tribute record. None of the country version singles went to the top of the charts. But the album went number one on the country charts in both the United States and Canada..
The Eagles had some of their own country music fame after reuniting. They ranked number 34 on CMT's 40 Greatest Men of Country Music in 2003. And in 2008 they won the Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for How Long
Here is the video that brought the boys back together. Travis Tritt featuring the Eagles on his tribute song "Take It Easy"
On a more recent career note, the Eagles were chosen for the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors this past December. Due to Glenn's health they postponed the award for a year. Sadly, Glenn will now have to be there in spirit when they receive the award. I am sure he won't miss it.