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Headshot of Willie Nelson superimposed on a graphic background of a bandana

Willie Nelson

It is a great honor to be receiving the Gershwin award. I have been a fan of Ira and George Gershwin's music since I was a little guy and, in appreciation for the award—and also I wanted to make some great music—I’ve just recorded a complete Gershwin album. It’s called Summertime.
—Willie Nelson

2015 Gershwin Willie Nelson Videos

Willie Nelson is a country music legend. In his six-decade career, he has produced more than 200 albums and has earned countless awards and accolades as a musician, author, actor and activist. As a songwriter and performer, this iconic Texan became the voice of the heartland with such hits as “Crazy” and “Funny How Time Slips Away,” but he has continually pushed musical boundaries. He diversified his repertory and turned pop standards such as “Blue Skies” and “Mona Lisa” into country hits and such pop tunes as “Always on My Mind” and “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before” into crossover favorites. Nelson has won ten Grammy Awards plus the Grammy Lifetime Achievement and Grammy Legend Awards. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and his album “Red Headed Stranger” was inducted into the Library’s National Recording Registry. Nelson and the Family Band continue to tour and to entertain and inspire sold-out audiences across the country with their annual Outlaw Music Festival.

Image gallery

Willie Nelson signs the Librarian's guest book with Acting Librarian David Mao looking on. Willie Nelson peruses newspapers in the Jefferson Congressional Reading Room Willie Nelson's signature in the Librarian's guest book Librarian of Congress James H. Billington and Marjorie Billington greet Willie Nelson and Annie D'Angelo with Music Division Chief Susan Vita looking on. Lucas Nelson, Annie D'Angelo, Willie Nelson, Micah Nelson pose for a photo in the Congressional Reading Room. Acting Librarian of Congress David Mao presents Willie Nelson with a cetificate with Congressman Gregg Harper in the background. Close-up shot of Willie Nelson smiling after being pinned with his Gershwin Prize for Popular Song lapel pin. Congresswomen Nancy Pelosi and Candice Miller and Congressman Gregg Harper present Willie Nelson with a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol in his honor Willie Nelson speaking at a podium in the Library of Congress Willie Nelson and family members view treasures from the Library's collections. 1 of 5 Willie Nelson and family members view treasures from the Library's collections. 2 of 5 Willie Nelson and family members view treasures from the Library's collections. 3 of 5 Willie Nelson and family members view treasures from the Library's collections. 4 of 5 Willie Nelson and family members view treasures from the Library's collections. 5 of 5 Willie Nelson, with his back to the camera, on a tour of the Main Reading Room of the Library of Congress Willie Nelson and family members taking a selfie in the Library's Main Reading Room Willie Nelson with his wife, Annie D'Angelo and Acting Librarian of Congress David Mao in the honoree's box in Constitution Hall Close up shot of Willie Nelson smiling backstage on concert night Leon Bridges and Willie Nelson posing for a photo backstage on concert night Willie Nelson with Buckwheat Zydeco on the right, band member on the left. Acting Librarian of Congress David Mao presenting Honoree Willie Nelson with the Gershwin Prize at Constitution Hall Willie Nelson performs with his famed guitar Trigger. Willie Nelson is joined onstage by Cyndi Lauper as they perform at the Gershwin Prize concert. Lucas Nelson, Willie Nelson and Micah Nelson performing on stage at the Gershwin Prize concert Concert finale with Neil Young, Lucas Nelson, Willie Nelson, Paul Simon, Edie Brickell, Don Johnson, Ana Gabriel and band members all performing on stage