Reba McEntire will soon join the likes of Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson by receiving the Kennedy Center Honors at this year's ceremony in Washington D.C. on December 2. This prestigious award is given to those in the arts community who have greatly impacted American culture.
"The world looks to America for its creative instincts and artistic courage," Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter said in a statement. "This year's slate of Honorees represents the pinnacle of our nation's originality and the rich mosaic of diverse perspectives and art forms that has come to define who we are as a people."
Country music star Reba McEntire will be in fine company with singer/actress/personality icon Cher, composer Phillip Glass and saxophonist/jazz legend Wayne Shorter. And while the Kennedy Center Honors are usually awarded to individuals, a special case has been made for the co-creators of "Hamilton," including writer and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda, director Thomas Kail, choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler and music director Alex Lacamoire.
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Since President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump didn't attend the event last year, there's speculation that they once again will not go due to the outspoken nature of some of the honorees. But not one to mix politics with her craft, McEntire said "I will be there with bells on. I have been looking forward to this so much."
McEntire's special award is well-deserved for her lifetime achievements that include the creation of 28 studios records, a lengthy television filmography, and songs that made it to No. 1 across four decades starting in the 1980s. In the past, McEntire has attended the ceremony to surprise past honorees Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Carol Burnett, so it's very fitting that she's finally receiving the accolades herself.
