Doug Davis, Clive Davis’ Son and Co-Pilot for the Pre-Grammy Gala, on This Year’s Show and 18 Years of Memories
variety.comJem Aswad Executive Editor, Music In an industry filled with blowhards, Doug Davis flies pretty far under the radar, at least for a major music attorney, son of one of its most legendary executives and, for nearly two decades, co-pilot of that legendary executive’s iconic annual event, the Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Gala.
Even those who have known him for years may be surprised to learn that Doug is up for his fifth Grammy this year, as a co-producer of the late President Jimmy Carter’s album, “Last Sundays in Plains: A Centennial Celebration” in the Best Audio Book, Narration and Storytelling Recording category. (His previous wins were in jazz categories as a co-producer of Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra’s “Four Questions” and other albums.) Yet a large percentage of his time for the last 18 years has been occupied by his work on the Gala, which features a jaw-dropping, completely unique lineup of talent and guests every year that is largely assembled by Clive, Doug and special event producer Stacy Carr.
To cite just one example, last year’s invitees included Tom Hanks, Cher, Meryl Streep, Nancy and Paul Pelosi, Stevie Wonder, Shania Twain, Janelle Monae, Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick, Dua Lipa, Berry Gordy, Brandi Carlile, Jon Bon Jovi, Andra Day, Lenny Kravitz, Megan Thee Stallion, Gayle King … we could go on.
And every year there are once-in-a-lifetime performances (head here for Clive’s own favorites). Needless to say, it’s a massive undertaking, and not only is this year the gala’s 50th anniversary, it’s been transformed into a fund-raiser for Los Angeles wildfire relief.
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