Last night, singer and actor Harry Connick Jr. hosted United We Sing: A Grammy Tribute to Unsung Heroes, a virtual event that gathers Grammy-award winners to thank essential workers on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Helping Connick Jr. host waa his daughter, Georgia Connick, as they traveled across the country with a limited film crew to meet essential workers in person and thank them for their service. As they journeyed throughout the U.S., Connick Jr. opened a Zoom meeting with a different celebrity at every stop he made. The stars who participated to show their gratitude include Oprah Winfrey, Jamie Foxx, Andra Day, Cyndi Lauper, Dave Matthews, Tim McGraw, Queen Latifah, Brad Pitt, and many more.
Harry Connick Jr. Travels for Essential Workers!
The first stop on the 'thank you' road trip was Queens, NY to visit Suzanna Jamison, Harry Connick Jr.'s sister who works as a military doctor stationed at Queens Hospital Center. After navigating the narrow streets of New York City, Connick Jr. and his daughter stopped in Chattanooga, TN with special guest Tim McGraw to say a special thank you to a truck driver couple.
Queen Latifah made an appearance on the next stop at Irvington High School in Newark, New Jersey. Being an alumnus herself when her mom was teaching at the school, Latifah made sure to show her support for the teachers there who have pioneered during the COVID-19 pandemic, calling them "superstars".
The show then went into a medley of musical collaborations with Trombone Shorty and Little Big Town singing a cover of "Jambalaya (On The Bayou)" by Hank Williams, Irma Thomas and Cyndi Lauper joining voices for Thomas's "It's Raining", and Jamie Foxx singing a rendition of "Grandma's Hands" by Bill Withers.
On the last stop of their whirlwind adventure, Brad Pitt first made an appearance to joke around and give thanks to a supervisor of trash pick-up, and then a second time to help Connick Jr. close the show with his original song, "Stars Still Shine". With the help of a gospel choir and orchestra, Connick dedicated the song to all essential workers they met along the way and the several more they have yet to thank for all of their hard work.
To listen to Connick's song "Stars Still Shine", click here and all the proceeds will go towards the Ellis Marsalis Center.
If you didn't watch the event live, no worries! Check out the CBS YouTube page for clips of the show!
