Introduction
Travis Tritt Reflects on Glenn Frey and the Unexpected Moment That Helped Reunite the Eagles
Country star Travis Tritt holds a unique place in the Eagles’ legendary story — and it all began with a tribute album that seemed harmless at the time. Decades later, Tritt still remembers the day he met the band, calling the experience both humbling and life-changing, especially because of the impression Glenn Frey left on him.
A Tribute Song That Sparked a Historic Reunion
In 1993, Tritt was invited to take part in Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles, a country tribute to the iconic rock group. He chose to record “Take It Easy,” the classic penned by Glenn Frey and Jackson Browne.
The song was selected as the project’s single — and it was Tritt who suggested that the music video include the Eagles themselves.
What followed became a milestone in rock history.
The group’s classic lineup — Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Don Felder and Timothy B. Schmit — had not performed together since their bitter split in 1980. But for the video shoot, they stood side-by-side with Tritt, playing as if no time had passed at all.
“Honestly, it was just an idea I threw out there,” Tritt told Rolling Stone Country. “I had no clue it would end up being the spark that pushed them back into working together after 14 years apart.”
Within a year, the Eagles officially reunited for the Hell Freezes Over album and tour — a turn of events many fans believe began with that very video.
Glenn Frey: A Rock Legend With No Ego
While the entire band made an impact on Tritt, it was Glenn Frey who left the deepest mark. Despite being a founding member of one of the best-selling bands in American history, Frey carried himself with genuine humility.
“Here’s a guy who was one of the biggest rock stars of our generation,” Tritt recalled. “But he never acted like he was above anybody. He always took time to encourage people, no matter who they were.”
Tritt said that Frey’s kindness and grounded nature served as a reminder of how artists should treat others — no matter how famous they become.
A Lasting Legacy That Reaches Beyond Rock
Tritt pointed to the Eagles’ catalog as a defining influence not only in rock, but in modern country music. He also mentioned some of his favorite Frey moments, from the gritty solo hit “Smuggler’s Blues” to the timeless “Take It Easy.”
“If you listen to everything the Eagles created, plus what Glenn did on his own, it’s just top-tier work,” Tritt said. “He had an unbelievable work ethic and a real love for music. That kind of passion is what anyone in our business needs if they want to last.”
For Tritt, sharing a stage — and a moment in history — with Frey remains one of his greatest honors.
“To be around him, to hear the songs he made, and to see the way he carried himself… you just knew you were in the presence of one of the greats.”