Athens native Brittany Howard takes center stage at Oscars during ‘Sinners’ tribute

When the Academy Awards turned its spotlight to the music of Sinners, Alabama had a presence onstage.

During the 98th Academy Awards ceremony, Brittany Howard—best known as the powerhouse vocalist behind Alabama Shakes—joined a large group of performers for a tribute to the film’s music. The performance centered on the song “I Lied to You,” featured in Sinners.
Brittany Howard
(Alabama Shakes/Facebook)

Actor and musician Miles Caton led the performance, reprising the song from the film while surrounded by an eclectic lineup of artists. The stage filled with blues, soul, and rock talent, including ShaboozeyEric GalesChristone “Kingfish” IngramBobby Rush, and Alice Smith. Acclaimed ballet dancer Misty Copeland also appeared as part of the tribute.

Howard stood out with her signature Gibson SG guitar and unmistakable vocals, adding an extra layer of grit and soul to the performance. The Athens, Alabama, native also contributed to the film’s soundtrack herself, writing and performing the song “Pale, Pale Moon.” In the film, the track is sung by actress Jayme Lawson.

Howard co-wrote the song with composer Ludwig Göransson, whose score for Sinners earned the Oscar for Best Original Score. The film had a strong night overall, taking home several awards, including Best Original Screenplay for director Ryan Coogler.

For Howard, the moment capped off a busy stretch of music. The Grammy-winning singer has recently reunited with Alabama Shakes for new performances and upcoming tour dates, including a stop in Tuscaloosa.

The Oscars performance served as another reminder that the Athens native’s powerful voice—and Alabama’s musical influence—continues to resonate on some of the biggest stages in entertainment.

You can watch Howard’s full Oscars performance here.

Courtesy of SoulGrown Alabama

Recent in Entertainment

Huntsville’s music community will gather later this month for a tribute concert celebrating the life and legacy of one of the city’s most influential blues musicians. “A Night of the […]

Kutter Bradley is headed to the next round of American Idol. The 22-year-old Florence native earned a spot in the American Idol Top 30 during Hollywood Week on ABC after […]