(piano music)
♪ For 40 years and counting ♪
♪ It's our mission sure and true ♪
♪ To salute to the country's artists ♪
♪ And the wondrous work they do ♪
♪ In years past we come together in the center we adore ♪
♪ But we're living in a time that calls for ♪
♪ Well, something more ♪
♪ And when it comes to talent so impactive ♪
♪ Why not make the celebration interactive ♪
(smooth music)
♪ We honor an artist revered and renown ♪
♪ Whose school helps young dancers ♪
♪ Get dreams off the ground ♪
♪ Director, producer, and talent profound ♪
♪ Debbie Allen, we honor you ♪
♪ We honor a maestra, whose music is heaven ♪
♪ Who made her symphonic debut at 11 ♪
♪ On a scale 1 to 5, she's 107 ♪
♪ Midori, we honor you ♪
♪ Garth Brooks, hats off to you ♪
♪ I mean really big Oklahoma hats off to you ♪
♪ Sold millions and millions of albums ♪
♪ With smiles on all of our faces ♪
♪ You'll find that you've got friends ♪
♪ In the highest of places ♪
♪ Like me sir ♪
♪ For a voice that's immortal, whose work transcends time ♪
♪ Who sings heart and history in every rhyme ♪
♪ Who changed how we see who's oh freedom sublime ♪
♪ Joan Baez we honor you ♪
♪ Dick Van Dyke leaves us walking on air ♪
♪ A legend of laughter who falls with flair ♪
♪ A national treasure beyond all compare ♪
♪ A showman through and through ♪
♪ Just sound all the strings, have those javelins hurled ♪
♪ Open our minds to a different world ♪
♪ Because of your art we honor you ♪
- We couldn't be prouder to salute these wonderful artists
and celebrate the cultural heritage
by which a great society is defined and remembered.
And yes, it's true,
while this year's celebration
is even more innovative than anticipated,
we welcome the opportunity to salute these five
inspirational honorees.
(gentle music)
♪ Here on the brink of change ♪
♪ How do we come together ♪
♪ What kind of hope will see us through ♪
♪ What magic can we make ♪
♪ How do we meet this moment ♪
♪ With grateful hearts we look to you ♪
♪ When asked what we can do with all the gifts we're given ♪
♪ What kind of truth will we define ♪
♪ Tonight we thank the stars ♪
♪ Who change the world we live in ♪
♪ And honor human spark divine ♪
♪ Who writes our country's song ♪
♪ In language universal ♪
♪ Who dares to make the chorus strong ♪
♪ Who shares their joy unbound ♪
♪ So stars are ours for reaching ♪
♪ And shows us how to sing along ♪
♪ To those who reach for stars and write a nation's story ♪
♪ Who put their love in every line ♪
♪ Tonight we thank the stars who grow a nation's glory ♪
♪ And honor human spark divine ♪
♪ No dreams should be unsung ♪
♪ No hope should be unspoken ♪
♪ But shine a light for all to see ♪
♪ And when a voice is shared ♪
♪ The chain remains unbroken ♪
♪ Reminding us the best is yet to be ♪
♪ Here on the brink of change ♪
♪ We're thankful for each moment ♪
♪ Not brief, but strong and shining through ♪
♪ What magic can we make ♪
♪ Now that we come together ♪
♪ To toast these wondrous points of view ♪
♪ Tonight we thank the stars who forge new paths before us ♪
♪ In this great land of yours and mine ♪
♪ And so tonight we sing, join in a county's chorus ♪
♪ And honor human spark divine, let freedom dance ♪
♪ Let freedom sing ♪
♪ From every laugh to every string ♪
♪ Tonight we sing ♪
♪ And honor human spark divine ♪
(gentle music)