Television has suddenly re-discovered music, in the midst of the coronavirus shutdown.
Music-from-home specials span two networks (CBS and Fox) and two genres (country and pop). In an eight-day stretch, they total four specials, five hours and an abundance of stars.
The latest addition will have Garth Brooks and Tricia Yearwood (shown here in a previous concert) on Wednesday (April 1). CBS announced that today (Sunday, March 29) … while Fox was announcing last minute additions for its specia tonightl.
Those join two other CBS specials – Monday (March 30), hosted by James Corden; and Sunday (April 5), with much of Nashville.
Each is based on the social-distancing idea, with people performing from home. The March 29 concert was set to be live in each time zone; the April 1 one will be live Eastern and Central. Details are:
TODAY (March 29). This had been the spot for the “iHeartRadio Music Awards.” When they were postponed, the “iHeart Living Room Concert for America” was hatched as a one-hour, commerical-free event, with viewers asked to donate to charities. That’s live, at 9 p.m. ET and 6 p.m. PT on Fox.
Performers include Billie Eilish, Mariah Carey, Tim McGraw, Alicia Keys, Camila Cabello, Sam Smith, H.E.R., Billy Joe Armsrong, Dave Grohl and the Backstreet Boys. Late additions included Lady Gaga and several non-singers – Ellen Degeneres, Ken Jeong,Melissa McCarthyand Ryan Seacreast.
MONDAY (March 30): Eilish will perform for the second straight night. This time it’s part of “Homefest,” at 10 p.m. on CBS.
James Corden hosts from his garage, with music from Korean (BTS), England (Dua Lipa), Italy (Andrea Bocelli) and Los Angeles (Eilish, also John Legend). Will Ferrell and David Blaine will also be included.
WEDNESDAY (April 1): “Garth & Tricia Live” will be 9 p.m. on CBS. It will, indeed, be live … but will be delayed to 9 p.m. on the West Coast.
The idea started with the husband-wife show that Garth Brooks and Tricia Yearwood do on Facebook Live. Their concert March 23 drew 5.2 million viewers within a few hours and CBS suggested a network version. The couple and the network will combine to donate $1 million to charities.
SUNDAY (April 5): This was the first at-home concert announced, but will be the fourth to air.
When the Academy of Country Music pushed its award show back to Sept. 16, the plan was set”
“ACM Presents: Our Country” will be 8-10 p.m. on CBS, with stars at home, offering music and memories, supplemented by clips of past ACM shows.
There will be some combinations – Blake Shelton with Gwen Stefani, Kane Brown with Legend, Luke Bryan with Brad Paisley and Darius Rucker, for a tribute to the late Kenny Rogers. Groups will include Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Old Dominion and Florica Georgia Line.
Others include McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, Shania Twain, Kelsea Ballerini, Brandi Carlile, Eric Church, Luke Combs and Thomas Rhett.