The Rhinestone Cowboy shines in the hearts of music’s elite

Since the Aug. 8 death of country legend Glen Campbell after a six-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease, stars across multiple genres have been paying tribute to the iconic performer on stages across North America. To date, superstars Keith Urban, Toby Keith, John Mayer, and Chris Stapleton have each dedicated a portion of one of their shows to a moving performance of a Campbell classic.

In Montreal on Aug. 12, Urban stirringly delivered “Wichita Lineman” with the poignant lyric, soaring through the emotional delivery, “And I need you more than want you. And I want you for all time.”

Many of the numerous, heartfelt reflections on Campbell’s greatness were collected by Rare Country.

During his tour stop at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pa., on Aug. 10, Stapleton covered Campbell’s popular hit, “Rhinestone Cowboy.”

“We lost a country music legend a couple days ago,” Chris explained to the audience in the clip on Rare Country. “I’m going to try to do a Glen Campbell song tonight, not because I’m going to do a great job with it, but because I want to pay my respects to Mr. Campbell.”

After succumbing to the darkness of Alzheimer’s, the line in Campbell’s popular American standard — “I’m gonna be where the lights are shinin’ on me” — soared over the crowd with Stapleton’s raw delivery.  

Like Urban, Keith chose to honor his musical hero with “Wichita Lineman,” delivering his tribute on Aug. 9 in New York.

“A great American country icon passed away this week – the great Glen Campbell,” Keith told the crowd. “[We are going to] pay homage to him tonight.” See it here.

Stars from other genres also paid tribute including Mayer, who performed “Gentle On My Mind” Aug. 8 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. “I’m going to play this song with more love than precision,” he told the audience. “I play it because it’s my favorite song in the world. Whether I play it right or wrong, I’d rather have played it.”

One tribute stands out from the rest because of the mix of voices — including both legends and some of the hottest new acts in country music — at one of the most sacred stages in the format, the Grand Ole Opry.

The Opry shared a video clip of the impromptu Aug. 9 performance of “Amazing Grace” from a group of singers that included the Oak Ridge Boys, Jeannie Seely, Luke Combs, Michael Ray and Will Hoge. Watch it here. 

One of the tributes in intensely personal and benefits others confronting the debilitating and deadly disease.

Tanya Tucker and Campbell made headlines with their often-stormy love affair in the ’80s. The couple also recorded a few duets during their relationship, including “Dream Lover” and “Shoulder to Shoulder.” Tucker was able to meet with Campbell and say her final goodbye before he passed, but she also put her feelings into a new song, “Forever Loving You.”

Rare Country posted a statement from the heartbroken singer: “I’m just devastated. Absolutely devastated. It’s been so hard these past several years knowing what he’s been going through,” Tucker said. “My heart just breaks. Glen and I shared some incredible, precious memories together for a long time. There were some ups and downs and, of course, all the downs were played out in the press. We both got past all that. Forgiveness is a wonderful thing. It’s why I’m releasing ‘Forever Loving You’ in memory of Glen and for all of those who are losing or have lost someone they love. I’ll forever love you, Glen.”

Tucker wrote “Forever Loving You” with Michael Lynn Rogers and Tennessee State Senator Rusty Crowe. Crowe is a co-sponsor on the Campbell/Falk Act, which protects communication rights for people who have become wards of the state, and those who have conservators over their financial and living situations.

“Forever Loving You” is now available from Apple Music, and proceeds will benefit the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America to help those facing the disease that claimed Campbell’s life.

Visit RareCountry.com for more country music news.

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