Country star and half of the Sugarland duo Jennifer Nettles was among the performers for this year’s Kennedy Center Honors. Nettles' performance honored Bruce Springsteen, one of five honorees of the night. The entertainment special is scheduled to be broadcast Tuesday, Dec. 29, at 9 p.m. EST on CBS.
Mel Brooks, Dave Brubeck, Grace Bumbry, Robert De Niro and Bruce Springsteen, the honorees, were all present at the black-tie gala, hosted by Caroline Kennedy. The annual event recognizes recipients for their lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts in dance, music, theater, opera, motion pictures and television. Keeping with tradition, the roster of performers and presenters remains secret prior to the gala, and a short biographical film is featured during each honoree's tribute.
Performers and presenters also included Roger Bart, Gary Beach, Jack Black, Matthew Broderick, Harry Connick, Jr., Cory English, Simon Estes, Melissa Etheridge, Aretha Franklin, Jane Krakowski, John Mellencamp, Martin Scorsese, Martin Short, Meryl Streep and many more.
President and Mrs. Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden were seated with the honorees in the Presidential Box of the Opera House at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., after having just attended the traditional White House reception for the honorees.
Host Caroline Kennedy commenced the festivities by quoting her father, President John F. Kennedy, who said, "I look forward to an America that will not be afraid of grace and beauty. I look forward to an America that will reward achievement in the arts as we reward achievement in business or statecraft."
