From Forbes: Jimmy Buffett’s Last Album Could Bring Him Back To The Grammys
Jimmy Buffett was hugely successful as a musician when it came to album sales and turning his popularity into a brand. That commercial appeal largely didn’t translate to winning awards, though.
The late musician never won a Grammy. He was only nominated twice for music’s biggest prize, and he was sadly never chosen as the favorite by voters.
Buffett passed away last September after a private battle with cancer, but before he died, he recorded one final album. It’s that collection that could bring him back to the Grammys, giving him what may be his last chance to win a piece of gold.
Equal Strain on All Parts was released in early November of 2023, which makes it eligible for the upcoming Grammys. While the set wasn’t exactly a critic’s pick, the urge to reward Buffett and his legacy may prove to be too strong for some voters to ignore.
The full-length could earn Buffett his first nomination in the Best Country Album category. His only two career nods were both in the Best Country Collaboration with Vocals—an arena which has been folded into others and which doesn’t exist anymore—so clearly the Recording Academy sees him as country.
Buffett’s team may decide to submit the collection for Best Americana Album instead. Equal Strain on All Parts reached Billboard’s Americana/Folk Albums chart, where it hit No. 1 last year. Of course, the Grammys are different from the charts, but the genre classification may remain the same.