0 Stevie Wonder Wows with the Gershwin Prize
- News
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 02/20/2009
The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song is named in honor of the legendary George and Ira Gershwin.
The prize is given annually to a composer or performer whose lifetime contributions exemplify the standard of excellence associated with the "Rhapsody in Blue" guys George and Ira Gershwin.
Stevie Wonder will receive the award on Wednesday, February 25, 2009.
Paul Simon won the first Gershwin Prize in 2007.
"Stevie Wonder In Performance at the White House: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize" will feature an evening of celebration with President and Mrs. Obama in honor of Wonder's receipt of the prize.
The one hour concert takes place February 25th and will include performances by Wonder, Tony Bennett, Diana Krall, Martina McBride, Esperanza Spalding, Will.i.am, and Mary Mary.
President Obama will present the Gershwin Prize to Stevie Wonder during the event.
Motown Stevie has captured all of the big awards including 32 number 1 R&B and pop hits, 25 Grammy Awards, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996.
Wonder received an Academy Award for "I Just Called to Say I Love You" from the 1984 film The Woman in Red. In 1989, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Stevie became the youngest honoree of the Kennedy Center Honors in 1999. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002.
"Stevie Wonder In Performance at the White House: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize" will be the first "In Performance at the White House" program during President Barack Obama's Administration.
Many PBS stations will air the concert on Thursday evening, February 26, 2009.