Submitted by ADeFrancesco on

The Gershwin Awards Return to DAR Constitution Hall

Lynn Young, President General

During November of last year, we were so pleased that DAR Constitution Hall was again used as the host venue for the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. This year’s recipient was my fellow Texan, Willie Nelson.

The event featured numerous special guests as they paid tribute to Willie Nelson and his long career. The guests included Rosanne Cash, Alison Kraus, Neil Young and Paul Simon among others. Many of these artists offered renditions of Willie Nelson’s most famous songs and toward the end Mr. Nelson joined them to perform a few songs as well. I never expected to hear “Whiskey River” in Constitution Hall!

It was such a pleasure to get to meet Willie Nelson prior to the ceremony in the President General’s Reception Room. He was very gracious to each of the Executive Officers and other guests, taking time for photos and to talk to everyone.

Following the ceremony there was a wonderful reception held in the O’Byrne Gallery and on the Portico. It was exciting to mingle with the guests and welcome them to our historic building. Additionally, during a conversation with Rosanne Cash she told me that she has a Revolution War Patriot! We will certainly be following up with her!

I hope you will all tune in to see our beautiful Constitution Hall during the broadcast of the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song this Friday, January 15, on PBS at 9 p.m. ET.