One of the years least expected samples on a record started with an email.
A few months ago,Bonnie Raittreceived a note from Bon Iver auteurJustin Vernon.
This time, Vernon was circling back to the latter song, but in a very different way.
Bonnie Raitt is in the midst of a Raittaisance — with artists like Charli XCX and Maggie Rogers honoring her work.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty
Raitts 1989 song, which launched her comeback, addressed similar heavy and personal issues.
But they did a really artful job I was very honored.
In the shows pre-telecast, Raitt walked away with awards for American Roots Song and Americana Performance.
Her face, live on TV, registered utter and genuine disbelief.
She didnt even read my name, Raitt recalls.
She read the name of the song.
I just went into hyper-shock.
Theories about the upset victory include the possibility that Swift, Adele, and Beyonce all split the vote.
Afterwards, Swift approached her.
(What wasnt so wonderful was aDaily Mailheadline that called Raitt an Unknown Blues Singer.
They corrected it within 24 hours, she says.
But it was pretty funny to have this many Grammys and hit records and still be unknown.
Raitt says she wasnt told why she qualified for the award.
(Can you believe it?
Its not that were the establishment.
Its just that the culture can hold us all in.
you might be somebody as different and uncommercial as the Grateful Dead or me.
Its not like Im stomping down the mainstreamBillboardchart.
But I guess Ive reached some sort of legacy status.
I dont thinkAerosmith stoppedbecause they wanted they had lead-singer problems, like with Huey Lewis, she says.
Im going to keep going, even if I have to come out in a walker or electric motorbike.
Well, luckily, there are people like Charli and Justin who are making me relevant, Raitt says.
Ill take it, and wear it with pride.
