Brandi Carlile already had a big night ahead at the 2019 GRAMMYS. Her breakout song "The Joke" was nominated for four GRAMMYS, including Song Of The Year and Record Of The Year, while her album By The Way, I Forgive You, on which the song is featured, was also nominated for Album Of The Year and Best Americana Album.
That night, she performed "The Joke" on the GRAMMY stage, a performance that would become a career-defining moment for Carlile. "Performing 'The Joke' on the GRAMMYS absolutely changed my whole life. Everything changed for me after doing that," she reflects.
Fellow GRAMMY-winning Americana superstar Bonnie Raitt echoes the sentiment. "When Brandi sang 'The Joke,' [she] brought the house down," Raitt remembers. "She's one of the most powerful, evocative singers. When I grow up, I wanna be Brandi Carlile."
That night, Carlile won three GRAMMYS, including Best American Roots Song and Best American Roots Performance for "The Joke" and Best Americana Album for By The Way, I Forgive You.
Watch more memorable GRAMMY performances at the upcoming 2026 GRAMMYS, which take place Sunday, Feb. 1, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and broadcast live on the CBS Television Network and stream live and on demand on Paramount+. Watch GRAMMY highlights and exclusive performances from the 2026 GRAMMYS all year long on live.GRAMMY.com.
My GRAMMY Performance is an intimate and inspiring interview series that invites artists to reflect on their performances on the GRAMMY stage throughout the decades.
