Willie Nelson To Receive Library of Congress Gershwin Prize
By Andy Kahn Jul 10, 2015 • 12:04 pm PDT
Country music legend Willie Nelson has been chosen to be the next recipient of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Nelson joins previous honorees including Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Burt Bacharach & Hal David, Carole King and Billy Joel.
[Photo by David McClister]
The Gershwin Prize for Popular Song honors living musicians in the spirit of pioneering songwriters George and Ira Gershwin. Honorees are chosen for their career-spanning work “promoting song to enhance cultural understanding; entertaining and informing audiences; and inspiring new generations.”
“It is an honor to be the next recipient of the Gershwin Prize,” Nelson said. “I appreciate it greatly.” Nelson will receive the award in November at an event in Washington D.C.
“Willie Nelson is a musical explorer, redrawing the boundaries of country music throughout his career,” Librarian of Congress James Billington said. “A master communicator, the sincerity and universally appealing message of his lyrics place him in a category of his own while still remaining grounded in his country-music roots. His achievements as a songwriter and performer are legendary. Like America itself, he has absorbed and assimilated diverse stylistic influences into his stories and songs. He has helped make country music one of the most universally beloved forms of American artistic expression.”
The Gershwin Prize for Popular Song honors living musicians in the spirit of pioneering songwriters George and Ira Gershwin. Honorees are chosen for their career-spanning work “promoting song to enhance cultural understanding; entertaining and informing audiences; and inspiring new generations.”
“It is an honor to be the next recipient of the Gershwin Prize,” Nelson said. “I appreciate it greatly.” Nelson will receive the award in November at an event in Washington D.C.
“Willie Nelson is a musical explorer, redrawing the boundaries of country music throughout his career,” Librarian of Congress James Billington said. “A master communicator, the sincerity and universally appealing message of his lyrics place him in a category of his own while still remaining grounded in his country-music roots. His achievements as a songwriter and performer are legendary. Like America itself, he has absorbed and assimilated diverse stylistic influences into his stories and songs. He has helped make country music one of the most universally beloved forms of American artistic expression.”
