No Section

Pick Six: Praise for Justin Timberlake and Chris Stapleton, Caitlyn Smith

Pick Six is a half-dozen cool things in music, from two points of view.

February 3, 2018 at 5:45AM

Justin Timberlake, left, and Chris Stapleton perform at the 49th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, in Nashville. (Marci Schmitt — Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Bonnie Dickel Hoffman of Golden Valley:

1 Justin Timberlake and Chris Stapleton, "Say Something." Since they stole the CMAs in 2015, I've waited for them to collaborate. Might J.T. invite his pal onstage at halftime?

2 Ben Platt, Grammy Awards. In a tribute to Leonard Bernstein, the star of the Tony-winning musical "Dear Evan Hansen" performed a powerful rendition of "Somewhere."

3 Ella Fitzgerald exhibit, Grammy Museum. It featured rare recordings, memorabilia and 100 songs. My favorite was No. 100 — "Mack the Knife Live in Berlin."

Contribute: popmusic@startribune.com.

Jon Bream of the Star Tribune:

1 Terry Walsh as Van Morrison in "Last Waltz" Tribute, the Cabooze. Every year, this Twin Cities barroom stalwart electrifies bargoers with just this one song, "Caravan." The voice, the outfit, the kicks. Turn up your rad-dee-yo!

2 Pink, Sheryl Crow, others blast Recording Academy CEO. Backstage at the Grammys, Neil Portnow said women need to "step up." Wrong — the Grammys need to step up.

3 Caitlyn Smith, Turf Club. Giddy at this homecoming, she displayed superb Nashville songwriting and a big voice.