Sheryl Crow Shares a Mysterious Fax from Friend Don Henley After Winning Her Grammy for Best New Artist

Sheryl Crow at the 1995 Grammys.
Credit :

Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Sheryl Crow released her debut album Tuesday Night Music Club in 1993.
• The album’s biggest single, “All I Wanna Do,” peaked at No. 2 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 for six weeks.
• She won the Grammy for Best New Artist in 1995.

Approximately 30 years ago, Sheryl Crow emerged as an overnight sensation at the age of 33 after years of hard work and struggles, including waiting tables. In a recent episode of the MGM+ series Word + Music, Crow reflects on her journey to stardom. Prior to her breakout with the 1993 album Tuesday Night Music Club, she worked as a jingles singer for McDonald’s, served as a backup vocalist for Michael Jackson, and wrote songs for other artists, including Celine Dion and Wynonna Judd.

Sheryl Crow and Michael Jackson in 1988.

Pete Still/Redferns/Getty

Crow credits her friend and mentor Don Henley of the Eagles for encouraging her to stop giving away her best material and start recording it herself. After signing with A&M Records, she initially requested that her debut album be shelved due to dissatisfaction with the content. This led to the release of her second debut album, Tuesday Night Music Club, which featured the hit single “All I Wanna Do,” marking the beginning of her rise to fame.

Reflecting on her career, Crow mentioned her notable Grammy achievements in 1995, when she was nominated for five awards and won three, including Best New Artist. She humorously noted, “Obviously, it takes a long time to be a best new artist.”

Don Henley and Sheryl Crow.

James Leynse/Corbis via Getty

One cherished memory from that time includes a fax from Henley congratulating Crow on her Grammy win. “He used to call me ‘Pookie,'” she recounted, highlighting the significance of mentorship in her career. The fax humorously noted the list of past winners of the same award, suggesting the precarious nature of fame.

While many Best New Artist winners have struggled after their initial success, Crow joins the ranks of those whose careers flourished. Artists like Bobby Darin, Tom Jones, and Mariah Carey also achieved commendable careers after their wins. Thus, Crow’s journey refutes the notion of a “best new artist curse.”

Sheryl Crow’s ‘Tuesday Night Music Club’.

A&M

Crow’s career has proven to be remarkably successful, cementing her status as one of the most prominent singer-songwriters of the 1990s. With numerous hits, six additional Grammy Awards, and an honor in 2023 as part of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside Henley and the Eagles, her legacy continues to grow.

The series Word + Music, a spin-off of an Audible initiative, aims to showcase musicians’ stories through innovative visuals and technology-enhanced performances. According to CEO Van Toffler, the series brings a human and emotional touch to music, combining performance and imagery for a compelling experience.

Sheryl Crow on ‘Words + Music’.

Justin Lubin/MGM+

Toffler noted that the series has successfully reimagined the classic MTV formats Storytellers and Unplugged, adding a modern twist. The recent episode featuring John Legend premiered on November 30, with upcoming installments featuring Elvis Costello on December 14 and Alanis Morissette on December 21.