The annual MusiCares Person of the Year dinner will be like New Jersey West, with Bruce Springsteen among the performers announced to salute Jon Bon Jovi just prior to the Grammys in L.A. on Feb. 2.
The lineup just put up by the Recording Academy includes a good deal of acts that either hail from the east or the southeast — the latter meaning an abundance of artists from the country or Americana worlds, many of them currently Grammy-nominated.
The list of performers covering Bon Jovi tunes also includes Shania Twain, Jason Isbell, Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, Melissa Etheridge, the War and Treaty, Brandy Clark, Damiano David of Måneskin, Goo Goo Dolls and Marcus King. The group Bon Jovi itself is additionally set to perform.
Actor-comedian Jim Gaffigan will host, and presenters will include Gayle King and Kylie Minogue.
The event is being produced by Lewis & Clark, made up of Joe Lewis and R.A. Clark, with Rob Mathes as musical director.
It takes place next Friday at the Los Angeles Convention Center, where a dinner and tribute concert will be preceded by a cocktail reception and silent auction.
“Jon Bon Jovi is a rock ‘n’ roll trailblazer, influencing countless artists over the years,” Laura Segura, MusiCares’ executive director, said in a statement. “MusiCares is honored to pay tribute to him as our 2024 Person of the Year. Bon Jovi has also lent his life’s work to philanthropic efforts that align with the health and human services mission of MusiCares, forever changing the lives of those in need.”
The Jon Bon Jovi salute follows on the heels of last year’s tribute to Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson. Other recent honorees include Joni Mitchell, Dolly Parton and Fleetwood Mac.