MusiCares Salutes Neil Diamond

(CBS)  The Grammys wouldn't be the Grammys without its annual tribute to an artist who has found a way to give back. This year's MusiCares salute goes to Neil Diamond.

Diamond is one of pop music's most enduring stars. He can do what few others can -- turn a stadium-sized concert into an intimate sing along.

"What is it like to be on stage and have 40,000 people singing your words?" Early Show national correspondent Hattie Kauffman asked.

"It's a thrill. There are no words to describe it because it means to me that my music has become a part of their lives," Diamond said.

It will be a far different crowd when Diamond is honored as MusiCares Person of the Year by some of music's biggest stars.

"How does it feel to be back at the Grammys?" Kauffman asked.

"It's always exciting because you see all the great musical artists of the day. I become a fan again ... 'Oh my God, look who's here and I love their record!'" he said.

Country star Tim McGraw is just one of the artists singing a Diamond classic at the annual Grammy Week gala dinner and concert - now in its 19th year - held in Los Angeles on Feb. 6.

"He is such an icon, it's hard to imagine there being anyone like him," McGraw said.

"I was a little stunned ... I didn't think anybody would want to come up and sing my songs," Diamond said.

"It sounds like you're modest after all this time," Kauffman said.

"This doesn't happen to me all the time, so I'm a little bit awed by it," he said.

The award is not only for his legendary run, but for his charitable work for victims of Hurricane Ike. After touring the devastation, he raised money for new homes.

"Their homes were wiped away. They were living out of cars and tents. I felt I really had to step in and do whatever I could," he said.

Diamond's first track was back in 1966.

"I think I read you were 15 when you wrote your first song?" Kaufmann asked.

"I had a girlfriend and I wanted to give her something, and I didn't have any money to buy her anything, so I decided I'd make up a song. I'd never done that before," Diamond said. "So it's part of me. I write, therefore I am."

"Are some things easier for you to say in song, rather than in person?" Kauffman asked.

"Absolutely there are things I say in song I could never ever say directly to a person. They just expose you and make you vulnerable, but for some reason I'm able to do it in a song and that's what I do," he admitted.

Diamond's last three concerts grossed a staggering $168 million. He has released 46 albums in a career now in its fifth decade.

"What keeps you going?" Kauffman asked.

"I love what I'm doing. I can't think of a better thing to do with my time. I've loved it from the beginning. I got hooked at 16 and I'm still hooked," he said.

The 51st Annual Grammy Awards airs Sunday, Feb. 8 (8:00-11:30 p.m. ET/delayed PT), on CBS.

[tjm509]

Neil, Thanks for being the soundtrack of my life and the millions of other fans around the world. You deserve this award and so much more!! Good Health to you.
BTW September 16th 1976, it was a tuesday, I was one the "The Rain People". I''ve been with you ever since.

[stahurskimj]

What a GREAT tribute to a GREAT artist!
Neil has transended time with unbelievable music
for decades when others have faded away.
Composing all his own work is astonishing .
The well never will run dry.
I for one am in awe .
God bles forever.

[nephelly]

Never criticise others until you have walked a few miles in their shoes but I doubt you could manage this. Neil Diamond deserves all the recognition he is at last receiving the past couple of years. Fabulous concert tour, two great albums and many awards. I am only puzzled as to why this did not happen many years ago !!!

[spiritwalk]

Well, only in America, I guess

Posted by hennighg

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Only in America could someone write a song like "Sweet Caroline", which has nothing to do with baseball or Boston and have it become the theme song of the Boston Red Sox. And that by popular demand of the fans who sing it every home game.

[behan44]

Mediocre and trite hennigrg and Mihann are your comments. As an irish author says, "Critics are like eunuchs in a harem, they know how it''s done, they''ve seen it done every day, but they''re unable to do it themselves". Intelligent comments at least require some thought.

[edamos54]

I was never the biggest Neil Diamond fan, but I know
for a fact that he can singlehandedly turn a mere con-
cert into an event. He did that at the Hollywood Bowl
many years ago. He''s a gifted songwriter, arranger,
singer, producer and on-stage personality. I surely
sound like a big fan, but I''m not. I just recognize
true talent. He has it all.

[rlquilt]

What a wonderful tribute to a totally fantastic singer, song writter, entertainer. His recent concert tour was fantastic. It is really about time he is recognized for the volume of incredable music he has provided over the years. It is incredable the musicians that will be singing his music at the Music Cares ceremony. Neil is making a huge effort to help the people in Oak Island left homeless by the recent hurricane but there is much more that he does. He is an incredable person and so very humble. Way to go Neil! Congratulations

[imisaid]

To kmurphy28,the Musicares Lifetime Achievement Award is tonight (not televised) and the Grammys are on Sunday night.

To hennighg, you obviously do not know anything about this extremely talented songwriter, musician and singer,or even been to one of his concerts, not to mention all the work he is doing to build homes in Oak Island, Texas after Hurricaine Ike. All the proceeds from his souvenirs at the concerts are going to build homes and he is matching that amount. Do you even know what Musicare is about? Your comments were rude and uncalled for. I am very proud to be a Neil Diamond Fan.

[mihann]

Isn''t Ol''Neil lookin'' old? Is he still gruntin'' his songs?

[leanne61-2009]

A Brilliant musician finally given the accolades he deserves and that are long overdue.

Anyone who thinks that you only have to live long enough to receive an award like this has no idea what it is all about.

It is about TALENT and ACHIEVEMENT