Will Jennings 

At the 1987 Grammy Awards, “Higher Love,” a song co-written by Will Jennings, who grew up in Tyler, and Steve Winwood was named Record of the Year.

Winwood also won the Grammy for Best Male Vocal Performance for his recording of the hit song.

“Higher Love” was one of several collaborations between the two. Other songs they co-wrote and became hits for Winwood are “Back in the High Life,” ”While You See a Chance” and “The Finer Things.”

In the Spotlight 

— 2019: Alan Tudyk, who attended Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, voices the bird Iago in the live-action “Aladdin.” 

— 2017: Terrell native Jamie Foxx is a guest on “Good Morning America.”

— 2016: Elkhart native Tye Sheridan is a guest on “Good Morning America.”

— 2016: Gilmer native Johnny Mathis appears as himself in the TV special “The Queen Mary: Greatest Ocean Liner.”

— 2013: Shea Whigham, who attended Tyler Junior College, appears in “Fast & Furious 6,” the popular street racing franchise.

— 2013: Longtime U.S. Congressman Louie Gohmert, of Tyler, is a guest on “Hannity.”

— 2011: Terrell native Jamie Foxx is a guest on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

— 2010: Lindale native Miranda Lambert appears on the TV special “ACM Presents: Brooks & Dunn – The Last Rodeo.”

— 2007: At the Academy of Country Music Awards:

• Lindale native Miranda Lambert wins New Female Vocalist of the Year and is a nominee for Female Vocalist of the Year
• Troup native Paul Leim is a nominee for Percussionist of the Year

— 2007: ZZ Top, with Frankston native Frank Beard on drums, performs on “VH1 Rock Honors.”

— 2001: Shea Whigham, who attended Tyler Junior College, appears in “Tigerland.”

— 1997: Atlanta native Tracy Lawrence’s “Better Man, Better Off” peaks at No. 2 on the Billboard country singles chart.  

— 1997: “Rhythmeen” by ZZ Top, with Frankston native Frank Beard on drums, peaks at No. 35 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. 

— 1991: Irma Hall, a graduate of Texas College in Tyler, appears in “Backdraft” starring Kurt Russell.

— 1985: Honey Grove native Bill Erwin is in the TV movie “Generation.”

— 1984: Honey Grove native Bill Erwin appears in the TV movie “Invitation to Hell” starring Robert Urich and Susan Lucci.

— 1983: Mount Pleasant native Jerry Scoggins appears in the TV special “The Legend of the Beverly Hillbillies.” Scoggins sings the show’s catchy theme song.

— 1976: Tyler native Sandy Duncan is a guest celebrity on “Hollywood Squares.”

— 1940: Gilmer native Diane Fisher appears in the movie “Lillian Russell.”

— 1937: Corsicana native Mary Brian and Walter Brennan star in “Affairs of Cappy Ricks.”

— 1935: Kaufman native Ted Healy stars in “Murder in the Fleet.”