The War and Treaty, Earth, Wind & Fire, more on new episode of 'Celebrity Family Feud'
July 30, 2024's edition of ABC's "Celebrity Family Feud" series features a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame act and five Nashville-respected acts familiar to Americana, country and roots music.
Note that the acts referred to are R&B icons Earth, Wind & Fire taking on The War and Treaty's hand-selected group of BRELAND, Dom Flemons, Valerie June and Rissi Palmer.
Given that the Emmy-winning Family Feud brand turns 50 in two years and it's still pulling in an estimated average of 4 million viewers per episode, it's worth noting.
The episode, recorded in April, debuts July 30, 2024, on ABC at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT before becoming available to stream on Hulu.
The participants
2024 has seen The War and Treaty emerge as a network television staple while achieving two Grammy nominations, Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association nominations and another Americana Music Association award victory.
They're joined by veteran roots musician, Black country and folk ethnomusicologist of sorts and 2024 Grammy-winning performer (for his album "Traveling Wildfire") Dom Flemons, Academy of Country Music Award-winning U.S. State Department Global Music Ambassador BRELAND, Grammy-nominated and critically-acclaimed Americana star Valerie June and Rissi Palmer, a veteran country music performer and industry and multimedia star, renowned for her Apple Music Radio "Color Me Country" broadcast and frequent correspondent appearances on CMT's Hot 20 Countdown.
Over six decades, their opponents, Earth, Wind & Fire, have sold nearly 100 million records worldwide via a vibrant fusion of Afro-pop, funk, jazz, multiple Latin styles and soul music. Between 1973 and 1980, the group sold nearly 20 million albums, including chart-topping singles "After The Love Has Gone," "Boogie Wonderland," "September" and "Shining Star," among many others.
Via social media, The War and Treaty offered the following statement:
"Growing up in both of our households, watching Family Feud was a must. When we found out we were facing our musical heroes Earth, Wind & Fire, we wanted to honor them and their legacy by standing across from them with our friends who are all in a different musical space than them. As Folk/Americana/Country artists, we wanted to show unity and growth in how our community has grown. More importantly, we wanted to show Earth, Wind & Fire that it's because of them and their examples and sacrifices that we are who we are and have the courage and freedom to express our art."
'Celebrity Family Feud' has staying power
For the past decade, the Steve Harvey-hosted version of "Celebrity Family Feud" has become a popular ABC staple.
According to Deadline, 2023 saw the program routinely garner over 4 million viewings per episode and increase its 18-49 demographic by 25 percent.
In 2015, ABC announced a "Celebrity Family Feud" revival. It marked the first time that any version of Family Feud aired on ABC since the last airing of the Richard Dawson-hosted original version in 1985.
Alongside the Nashville favorites and Earth, Wind & Fire, Daughtry, Walker Hayes, Megan Thee Stallion, Ne-Yo, Papa Roach, Robin Thicke and Meghan Trainor are among the musicians featured in 2024's "Celebrity Family Feud" season.
In a March 2024 interview, Harvey noted that "(Family Feud) is an iconic program that is tailor-made for (his) quick-witted, magical and (comedic) gift."
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: War and Treaty, more celebs on special 'Family Feud' spinoff
