John Mellencamp has been added to the lineup of performers at the 2025 Grammy Hall of Fame Gala, which takes place May 16 at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles. Mellencamp and young Texas-based singer/songwriter Conan Gray will salute Republic Records, which has been chosen as the 2025 “Label Honoree” at the ceremony.
This year’s event will be the second annual Grammy Hall of Fame Gala, which celebrates the latest recordings chosen for induction into the institution. The performance lineup will also feature a variety of artists paying musical tribute to the inductees.
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Thirteen recordings are being inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame this year. They include Santana’s Supernatural album; Emmylou Harris’ Wrecking Ball album; Eddie Floyd’s classic soul hit “Knock on Wood”; Big Star’s debut album, #1 Record; Cat Stevens’ Tea for the Tillerman album; Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine’s single “Conga”; JAY-Z’s Reasonable Doubt album; Luther Vandross’ Never Too Much album; and J.D. Crowe & The New South’s self-titled album.
Harris and Floyd will both perform at the ceremony in honor of their own recordings being inducted. Santana drummer Cindy Blackman Santana, who also is Carlos Santana’s wife, will salute Supernatural. Big Star drummer Jody Stephens will pay tribute his group’s #1 Record.
Jon Batiste, who will be presented with the inaugural Ray Charles “Architect of Sound” Award, at the event, also will perform. Other artists slated to perform at the gala are Grammy-winning R&B/jazz vocalist Ledisi, Grammy-winning singer/actor Leslie Odom Jr., and Australian rock-guitar whiz Orianthi.
Additional performers and tribute details will be announced soon.
More About Republic Records
Republic Records, a division of Universal Music Group, is being recognized as the Grammy Hall of Fame’s 2025 “Label Honoree” in part because of home to a wide range of internationally popular artists. The company also is involved with a variety of innovative partnerships with various artists and label imprints.
In addition, Republic recently launched a film and TV division and a children’s music division.
“We are forever grateful for the incredible artists, songwriters and storytellers that we’ve had the privilege of supporting over the years,” Republic Records co-founder and CEO Monte Lipman said in a statement. “Anytime you’re recognized by your peers, it’s always a humbling moment—and in this case, the significance of this award is truly exceptional.”
Grammy Museum President/CEO Michael Sticka added, “Republic Records has consistently shaped the sound of popular music and launched some of the most influential artists of our time. Their sustained success and cultural impact make them a fitting honoree at this year’s Grammy Hall of Fame Gala, where we celebrate the recordings—and the industry visionaries—whose legacies continue to inspire.”
About Mellencamp’s Most Recent Performance Plans
Mellencamp, who is signed to Republic Records, hasn’t performed at any public event yet in 2025, and he currently has no other scheduled performances this year.
He last performed on October 18, 2024, at Indiana University in Bloomington at the unveiling of a statue in his honor at the school. The singer/songwriter played a three-song set with an acoustic band at the event.
Prior to that, Mellencamp performed at the 2024 Farm Aid concert on September 21 in Saratoga Springs, New York. Meanwhile, from late July to mid-September, he took part in the 2024 edition of Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival Tour.