Sting & Al Green Among Kennedy Center Honorees

It’s a rare honor for an artist to receive accolades from the president, let alone have him sing one of your tunes.

Now Al Green can claim both, knowing that President Barack Obama is a fan. Green is among five artists receiving this year’s Kennedy Center Honors, the national awards for influencing American culture through the arts, the center announced Thursday (Sept. 4).

Sting, Tom Hanks, Lily Tomlin and ballerina Patricia McBride will also receive the honor. They will be saluted by top entertainers in a performance Dec. 7 and a reception at the White House. The show will be broadcast Dec. 30 on CBS.