The Greatest Showman #889 - Reality Burst

Paul McCartney Takes the Stage.

This legendary superstar needs no introduction. His legacy speaks for itself. After The Beatles disbanded, Paul McCartney continued to release countless classic works as a solo artist, earning a permanent spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His influence on future generations of musicians remains profound.

Tonight, Paul makes a grand entrance as a guest of honor, here to announce the final award of the evening: Album of the Year!

At the Grammys, the significance and prestige of the four major categories are unmatched, with Producer of the Year and Album of the Year often regarded as the pinnacle. The former recognizes the best producers (which this year was awarded to Adele), while the latter celebrates the artistic quality of an entire album, much like the Oscars' Best Picture award.

The five nominees for Album of the Year are Adele's 21, Bruno Mars' Bugs and Rogues, Spitfire's Wasting Light, Lady Gaga's Born This Way, and Renly's Don Quixote.

Among these, 21, Bugs and Rogues, and Born This Way all belong to the pop genre, with all three shortlisted for the Best Pop Album category—21 won that distinction. Pop and electronic music have undeniably dominated the current music scene, even overtaking hip-hop and R&B.

Wasting Light represents rock music, a genre that has been in decline in recent years. Over the past three Grammys, no rock album had received nominations for the top four categories. Yet, Spitfire's strong showing this year brought rock back into the conversation, earning a nomination and, notably, the Best Rock Album award.

Don Quixote is a folk album—a genre that has faded from mainstream recognition. The last pure folk album to be nominated for Album of the Year was Bob Dylan's Time-Out-of-Mind in 1998, which also won the award.

Before the ceremony, 21 was widely expected to be the evening's big winner, with Bugs and Rogues its strongest competition. However, Wasting Light emerged as a surprise contender, casting doubt on whether pop would continue to dominate or if rock would reclaim its place. Or perhaps there was something else in store…

Renly made his way backstage, where a noticeable shift had taken place. The singers and crew who had gathered around eagerly congratulated him. The buzz in the backstage area was palpable, and Renly encountered at least thirty well-wishers in the short walk from the stage to the waiting room.

John Legend, who had been with him, grinned. Noticing Renly's overwhelmed expression, he quipped, "You'll get used to it. Not because of the trophy, but because you're an actor. You know, it's like a flock of ducks, and suddenly, a swan appears—it makes things a little delicate."

For musicians, there's always a subtle hierarchy, with singers often looking up to actors. But the award Renly received—Newcomer of the Year—quietly bridged that gap, offering a rare moment when musicians and actors were on equal footing.

"Are you sure I'm a swan? I feel more like a kitten who refuses to swim," Renly joked, poking fun at his "actor" status while maintaining humility. His self-deprecating humor made John laugh heartily.

Entering the spacious waiting room, Renly was greeted by Nathan, who couldn't hide his surprise, and Andy and Roy, whose shocked expressions were unmistakable.

Before they had a chance to speak, the room fell into a hushed silence as someone announced, "It'll be announced soon!"

Renly and John turned their attention to the large screen in the corner. Paul McCartney was preparing to announce the final award, and the tension in the air was thick.

Could Adele complete the sweep? Having already won five awards that evening, she was on track to match Beyoncé's record of six trophies in a single year. But could Album of the Year be hers? Or was there a surprise winner on the horizon?

Everyone was holding their breath, eagerly awaiting the moment.

Renly scanned the room. The atmosphere was electric. Even the sound of heartbeat and breathing seemed to vanish. He had been a bystander until now, but in this moment, the tension became tangible. He felt it in his chest—the fluttering excitement.

Suddenly, Paul McCartney tore open the envelope, glancing at the card before leaning into the microphone to announce the winner. "The winner of Album of the Year is… Don Quixote, by Renly Hall."

Time seemed to stop. The words barely registered in Renly's mind. Then, a massive wave of applause broke out. The audience had chosen folk. The Grammy Awards had chosen folk music, breaking a 14-year tradition by awarding Album of the Year to a pure folk album. In that moment, folk was back, making its return to the center of the music world.

Adele had completed her sweep of the evening, but Renly had defied all expectations. His album, with no major publicity and a niche genre, had claimed the top prize.

The waiting room exploded in joy. Nathan reflexively hugged Renly, overcome with emotion. The others, including Roy and Andy, were frozen in disbelief, tears in their eyes.

The happiness was overwhelming. Renly was quickly surrounded by well-wishers. John Legend, maintaining some calm amid the chaos, guided Renly toward the stage.

"Go on, this is your moment!" John exclaimed, giving Renly a pat on the back. For John, the victory of a folk album was a milestone, a celebration of music's true artistry.

Renly finally grasped the weight of the moment. It was surreal—like his victories at the Emmys, Sundance, and the Berlin Film Festival—but this time, it was in music. He had won Album of the Year at the Grammys.

As he made his way to the stage, Renly could barely contain his excitement. He handed the gramophone trophy to John, who was still cheering him on, before taking the final step toward the stage.

He had won, as a singer. As a dreamer. Renly had won.