Tim McGraw will perform “I’m Not Gonna Miss You” tribute at the Academy Awards for Glen Campbell. Campbell’s song is nominated for Best Original Song at the Oscars. “I’m Not Gonna Miss You” was featured in the Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me documentary. The film centers around the legendary country singer‘s battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Since Campbell’s diagnosis in 2011, his condition has gotten worse the last few years. Campbell was moved into an Alzheimer’s facility in 2014.
Academy Award producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron released a statement regarding McGraw’s special tribute, “We couldn’t think of anyone better than Tim McGraw to properly celebrate Oscar nominee Glen Campbell.” They continued the statement, “Tim is the consummate country artist and will bring a bit of Nashville to the Oscars stage.” Tim McGraw said he was honored to be asked to sing such a powerful song by one of the legends in the music industry.
“I’m Not Gonna Miss You” was co-written by Julian Raymond. Raymond told Rolling Stone magazine that the recent nomination is accompanied with joy and sadness. “It’s a cliché thing to say, but I’m just so happy to be nominated, for him [Campbell] and his family.” Raymond added,”I just feel so happy that this whole thing is creating a brand new legacy for him and getting some of those great old songs heard.” He concluded, “As we joke, he’s lived a thousand lifetimes. He’s amazing in so many ways.”
Campbell’s family personally requested Tim McGraw to perform in honor of the iconic country singer. “Glen was always a fan of his music and Tim is sure to bring great emotional depth to the performance. We can’t wait to hear it live,” Campbell’s family released in a statement. Campbell’s wife, Kim Woolen, spoke to People magazine about her husband’s health. Woolen said Campbell is still really healthy physically, but he has lost most of his language skills. Woolen said that the singer has not lost his great sense of humor, “He’s always cheerful. He loves to laugh, and he tells jokes…it makes us laugh, and then it brings him joy that he’s made us laugh,” Woolen told People magazine. The Academy Awards will air on ABC on February 22nd at 7PM (Eastern standard time).