Willie Nelson honored with Gerswhin Award, performs “Living in the Promised Land”
The country legend received the Library of Congress award, will perform at “Imagine” concert in December.
via @ Rolling Stone
Willie Nelson, the iconic country singer & activist, received the Library of Congress Gerswhin Prize for Popular Song on November 18th, 2015, becoming the first country music artist to garner the prestigious award. The award, whose winners are selected by the Library of Congress in consultation with music experts, was created in 2007 and is named after the prolific American songwriters George & Ira Gerswhin. It celebrates, “the work of an artist whose career reflects lifetime achievement in promoting song as a vehicle of musical expression and cultural understanding.” Nelson joins an accomplished pantheon of fellow recipients including Paul Simon, Paul McCartney, Paul McCartney, Carole King, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Burt Bacharach and Hal David.
Honored at an exclusive Gala in Washington, D.C., The Red Headed Stranger performed to a rapt audience, who he reminded to lend a hand to anyone seeking a new life in America with his classic song, “Living in the Promised Land”. Written by David Lynn Jones, Nelson recorded the song in 1986, the lead single from his album, “The Promiseland” – the track hit #1 on the country chart, his 12th #1 single. Watch Nelson perform the song for the first time since 2004, alongside sons Lukas and Micah:
Next month, Willie Nelson will bring his message of love & acceptance to the music of another who shared his vision for peace – John Lennon – at a special concert in New York City. Performing alongside an all-star lineup of music greats, Nelson will appear live at “Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert” at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5th, celebrating the music, life & message of John Lennon. He’s joined by fellow country outlaw Kris Kristofferson, country star Sheryl Crow, rock n’ roll legends Steven Tyler, Peter Frampton, & Tom Morello as well a roll-call of music’s hottest acts of 2015: Aloe Blacc, Brandon Flowers, Chris Stapleton, Eric Church, Juanes, Pat Monahan and more to be announced.