Garth Brooks To Receive A Kennedy Center Honor

Garth Brooks has been announced as one of the recipients of the 2020 Kennedy Center Honors. The ceremony, which traditionally is held in early December each year, is now postponed until May 2021 due to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Garth joins fellow recipients to be honored at the 43rd annual national celebration including choreographer and actress Debbie Allen; singer-songwriter and activist Joan Baez; violinist Midori; and actor Dick Van Dyke.

Brooks said, “President John F. Kennedy was a childhood hero of mine, and he has continued to be through every stage of my life. He knew that a nation is defined by its culture and a culture is defined by its arts. I have watched many of my heroes sit in that booth during their ceremony, I have even had the joyous honor of singing for some of them on their special night."

He added, "The hope is to have contributed to humanity like my heroes have, to inspire us to be the most we can be as individuals, global citizens, and a part of human history. But most of all, to simply laugh, cry, love, and dream through music...I have been blessed to do just that as a fan and as an artist.”

Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein said of Garth, "Garth Brooks heightened country music’s profile like no other singer before him; with an international presence for over 35 years."

Other country artists to be honored by the Kennedy Center include Reba McEntire, Merle Haggard, George Jones and Dolly Parton.

An Honoree medallion ceremony for the Honorees and a limited audience will be hosted by the Kennedy Center during the week of May 17–22.