DirecTV in the News

Alanis Morissette and Brian McKnight on DirecTV

October 19, 2000 - Music in High Places is a DirecTV series featuring musicians like Alanis Morissette and Brian McKnight performing in the furthest corners of the globe.

"It's National Geographic-meets-MTV," cracks executive producer Anthony Eaton. "With the possible exception of MTV's Unplugged, there hasn't been a music show that allows an artist to spread their wings such as this show does … in places that they feel spiritually drawn to."

The premise is simple: In each episode, a different artist travels to a remote location where they explore the terrain, and (hopefully) connect with the natives of that area, guiding viewers through a journey that is historical, cultural, musical, and even spiritual.

In the debut episode, that spiritual aspect is delivered via the connection between the natural wonders of the Navajo Nation's Canyon de Chelly, the Navajo people, and the music of Alanis Morissette. Morissette is clearly moved by the inner beauty of the Navajo Indians whom she meets and the awe-inspiring landscape in which they live.

"I feel blessed," Alanis Morissette says of her experience. In addition to being given a crash course in the rituals and customs of the Navajo, Morissette is also invited to join in a drum circle. She also performs "Ironic," "That I Would Be Good," and an impromptu, a cappella rendition of "Uninvited."

"It's beautiful in a way I didn't even comprehend until I came here," she says, calling the canyon "the purest environment in which I could express myself."

Brian McKnight had a similar experience in Sao Louis, Brazil. "I've always wanted to take my music to places where it wouldn't be heard," he explains of the opportunity Higher Places gave him.

Like Morissette, McKnight traveled with select musicians and performed music acoustically in locations where "unplugged" was the only option.

"This concept works better for singer-songwriters who are also pretty decent musicians," Eaton admits.

"The location is as important as anything else in stimulating the magic," Eaton mentions of the destinations where the artists perform. Some of the other hot spots include Machu Picchu, Peru (in which Melissa Etheridge has expressed interest); the Taj Mahal in India; and Chichen Itza, Mexico, selected by Sugar Ray for its upcoming segment.

The artists will obviously guarantee a certain number of viewers, but Eaton hopes people will see beyond their celebrity status.

"The overall goal is to show the humanity of the artists and the indigenous people they're going to be amongst. Music is the universal language and it reaches across all language, racial, religious barriers to communicate in a very pure way. That's the essence of the show."

Sadly, some barriers remain insurmountable. Fighting between the Israelis and Palestinians forced the cancellation of production in Wynonna Judd's original location, Jerusalem. "We had crew members calling up saying, 'I'd rather not go,'" Eaton recalls. Judd opted for Venice, Italy, instead.

If anyone thinks Music in High Places sounds a little too lofty, rest assured there's room for humor on the show, too. For the impending shoot at Stonehenge, Eaton admits, "I wish to take Spinal Tap," and — with all seriousness — adds, "I think it would be loads of fun."