For over 40 years, The Kennedy Center Awards have celebrated America’s cultural icons. This year’s cast of honorees are terrific.  In alphabetic order they are: the opera singer Justino Diaz, Motown’s creator Berry Gordy, singer-actor Bette Midler, Saturday Night Live producer Lorne Michaels, and singer Joni Mitchell.

Every December, CBS has broadcast the show as a Christmas week special (Tonight, CBS at 9-set your DVR.) Each show celebrates the five significant figures that were honored at a performance in Washington D.C. earlier in the month.  The broadcast takes the best 2 hours and presents each honorees’ biography followed by tribute performances by their peers or proteges.

Through the years the highlights have included: Beyonce’s electrifying performance of “Proud Mary” in saluting Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin’s heartfelt version of “A Natural Woman” in tribute to Carole King, Hearts stirring “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin, and Bruce Springsteen’s intense take on the “The Times are A-Changin’ by Bob Dylan are a few of my favorites.  It is always so touching to watch the usual very emotional reactions of the honorees.

Among the tribute performers I am looking forward to tonight are: Stevie Wonder, Norah Jones, Herbie Hancock, Brandi Carlisle, and Steve Martin.  Dave Letterman (with a a newly trimmed beard) is the host.

Of the 2021 honorees-Diaz, Gordy, Midler, Michaels, and Mitchell-do you have a favorite? Who do you think is and will continue to be the most influential on our culture?