Sunday night's Kennedy Center Honors gala was a fine recognition for some of America's most recognized and legendary performers. George Jones and five other recipients were honored for their distinguished careers and contributions to the arts: singer and actress Barbra Streisand, actor Morgan Freeman, choreographer Twyla Tharp and musicians Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of The Who.The honorees, recommended by members of the Kennedy Center's national artists committee, along with past recipients, received their medals at a State Department dinner on Saturday with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
President Bush and first lady Laura Bush played hosts at a reception at the White House on Sunday before going to the center with the guests of honor to watch tributes from celebrities including Joss Stone, Lily Tomlin and past Kennedy Center honoree Clint Eastwood. A two-hour broadcast will air Dec. 30 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.
The first lady spoke during the segment for Jones, 77. "There's no getting tired of a singer like him," she said. Then, Brad Paisley, Randy Travis, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks and Shelby Lynne took to the stage to perform a set of Jones' biggest hits, including Bartender's Blues, White Lightning and He Stopped Loving Her Today.
He joins other country music icons to win the award including:
Dolly Parton (2006)
Loretta Lynn (2003)
Willie Nelson (1998)
Johnny Cash (1996)
Roy Acuff (1991)
Loretta Lynn (2003)
Willie Nelson (1998)
Johnny Cash (1996)
Roy Acuff (1991)
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