Willie Nelson has been recognized for his 60 years of contributions to popular music. The singer/songwriter received the 2015 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular song in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.

The celebration lasted two days, beginning on Monday with a presentation and display in the Library’s historic Thomas Jefferson Building.

Nelson said, "It is a great honor to be receiving the Gershwin award. I have been a fan of Ira and George Gershwins' music since I was a little guy and in appreciation for the award - and also I wanted to make some great music - I've just recorded a complete Gershwin album.  It's called ‘Summertime’."

In honor of the legendary songwriting team, the Gershwin Prize recognizes a living musical artist's lifetime achievement in promoting the genre of song as a vehicle of cultural understanding, entertaining and informing audiences, and inspiring new generations.  Previous recipients are Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, songwriting duo Burt Bacharach and the late Hal David, Carole King and Billy Joel.

A concert featuring a group of outstanding entertainers paid homage to Nelson’s music, which has always been steeped in country but with a willingness to explore other genres. Among his hits were “Crazy,” made famous originally by the late Patsy Cline; “Funny How Time Slips Away,” “Hello Walls,” “Always On My Mind” and “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.”

Among the performers were Edie Brickell, Leon Bridges, Rosanne Cash, Ana Gabriel, Jamey Johnson, Alison Krauss, Cyndi Lauper, Raul Malo of The Mavericks, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Paul Simon, Neil Young and Buckwheat Zydeco.  Nelson also performed some of his favorite tunes.  The master of ceremonies for the evening was actor Don Johnson.

"I could not have wished for a more complete source of inspiration in life, and in music, than my father," said the country music icon's son Lukas Nelson, also a singer, songwriter and guitarist. "I count myself as one of the luckiest people alive to have been born to such a noble, loving, and gifted human being."

The concert, "Willie Nelson: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize," will air on PBS stations nationwide at 9 p.m. Eastern on Friday, January 15 (check local listings).  The program also will be broadcast at a later date via the American Forces Network to U.S. Department of Defense locations around the world.

 

More From KXRB