Sting, Tom Hanks among Kennedy Center honorees

By: 10 years ago

This Feb. 16, 2014 file photo shows actor Tom Hanks in London. The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced the selections Thursday which include Hanks, Sting, Lily Tomlin, ballerina Patricia McBride and singer Al Green. AP

WASHINGTON — It’s a rare honor for an artist to receive accolades from the president, let alone have him sing one of your tunes.

Now Al Green can claim both, knowing that President Barack Obama is a fan. Green is among five leading artists receiving this year’s Kennedy Center Honors, the national awards for influencing American culture through the arts.

Fellow honorees are Tom Hanks, Sting, Lily Tomlin and ballerina Patricia McBride. The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced the selections Thursday.

They will be saluted by top entertainers in a performance Dec. 7 in Washington. The weekend of festivities also includes a dinner hosted by Secretary of State John Kerry and a reception at the White House.

The show will be broadcast Dec. 30 on CBS.