The Kennedy Center Honors show will be broadcast on U.S. television on December 30th. First Lady Laura Bush paid tribute to the great George Jones as quoted in the Chicago Tribune today:

“As for me, I have been very lucky to walk through this world with my own George, and in that walk we have heard few sounds more lovely than the voice of George Jones” said Bush, marking the first time that a first lady has spoken at the annual event.

Jones, 77, overcame substance abuse problems during a long career that began at the “Grand Ole Opery” and is considered one of the great voices of American music with hits “White Lightening,” “The Grand Tour,” and “He stopped loving her today.”

Also receiving honors were the choreographer Twyla Tharp, the actor Morgan Freeman, British rock and roll musicians Peter Townsend and Roger Daltrey, and Barbra Streisand, well known star of the 1972 madcap comic film, “What’s Up, Doc?”

There is this on Twyla Tharp from the Tribune article:

Despite an atmosphere of gaiety, there is always an element of nostalgia that accompanies any lifetime achievement award. Or, as Tharp said:

“It’s the beginning of the ninth life. Cats have nine lives, this begins the ninth.”

Tharp, 67, is best known for pushing dance outside the standard categories of ballet, modern, and jazz. She has devised award winning dances to the likes of Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, and even a ballet to the Beach Boys.

“Twyla was challenging because she would never compromise on integrity,” said Michael Kaiser, President of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts adding, “She taught me the difference between making a ballet and making art.”

Not many people in the world even had an opportunity to see the dance-musical that Twyla Tharp created around the songs of Bob Dylan, “The Times They Are A-Changin’.” But among those who did see it there were I believe many who understood that it was a special thing, and that it was successful on its own terms, even if it was not destined to be a commercial success.

Fortunately, even those who live far away from New York and San Diego (the only two cities where the show was performed) can nevertheless own a unique kind of memento of this unprecedented (and unlikely ever-to-be-repeated) event: Bob Dylan’s Broadway show. That’s right! Click here for details.

…

And if you like, take a listen to George Jones, and a truly Great Piece of American Music: The Grand Tour.

...................
Share this!

Posts which might be related to this one based on a mysterious algorithm:

• George on George
• Times, Changin’, Again
• It’s Either Fortune or Fame