7:55 p.m. — Hanson and some friends from their native Oklahoma whipped into “Delta Lady” to kick off a tribute to another of the state’s heroes, the late Leon Russell, during the Recording Academy party. “Leon left a huge hole, but he also left a lot of songs that will last forever,” Taylor Hanson told the crowd of mostly Recording Academy members. “We’re honored to just scratch the surface.” The troupe hit most of the right moments, with drummer Zac Hanson singing “Roll Away The Stone,” Isaac Hanson and John Fullbright sharing vocals on “Home Sweet Oklahoma” and Fullbright leading a jaunty take on “If I Were A Carpenter,” “Tightrope” and “Stranger In A Strange Land,” the latter also featuring Austin saxophonist Carlos Sosa. Taylor Hanson ended the show with a solo “Song For You” and promised to champion Russell, who died Nov. 13 at the age of 74, for a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in the coming year. The performance was accompanied by a live painting of a Russell portrait that will be auctioned to benefit MusiCares. — Gary Graff
