George Strait Named 2025 Kennedy Center Honoree
The country icon joins prestigious list of honorees.
Written by Amanda Tempel
Country music legend George Strait has joined an elite group, becoming only the eleventh artist from the genre to receive a prestigious Kennedy Center Honor. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced the selection of five Honorees who will receive the 48th Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime artistic achievements. Other honorees include rock band KISS, Tony-award winning stage and screen star Michael Crawford, Grammy-winning disco pioneer Gloria Gaynor, blockbuster film powerhouse, and Hollywood icon Sylvester Stallone.
George Strait is known as the "King of Country Music," with over 100 million RIAA certifications while earning more than 60 major entertainment industry awards as well as countless nominations and becoming the only act in history to have a Top 10 hit every year for over three decades. Offstage, Strait’s philanthropy has raised tens of millions of dollars for military and children’s causes, including the Jenifer Strait Foundation to preserve the memory of their daughter and presenting 127 mortgage-free homes to wounded veterans through the Military Warriors Support Foundation.
In a statement Kennedy Center President Ambassador Richard Grenell said, “For nearly half a century, this tradition has celebrated those whose voices and visions tell our nation’s story and share it with the world. This year’s Honorees have left an indelible mark on our history, reminding us that the arts are for everyone.”
On Sunday, December 7, in a star-studded celebration on the Kennedy Center Opera House stage, the 48th class of Kennedy Center Honorees will be saluted by today’s leading performers from New York, Hollywood, and the arts capitals of the world. Seated in the Box Tier of the iconic Kennedy Center Opera House, the Honorees will accept the recognition and gratitude of their peers through performances and tributes. The 48th Kennedy Center Honors Gala concludes with a post-performance party in the Grand Foyer.
The Kennedy Center Honors recognizes and celebrates individuals whose unique artistic contributions have shaped our world. Recipients have each had an impact on the rich tapestry of American life and culture through the performing arts. Whether in music, dance, theater, opera, motion pictures, or television, each Kennedy Center Honoree has a unique place in the fabric of our nation and their influence has inspired audiences from all walks of life.
The Honoree selection process includes solicitation of recommendations from former Honorees, the artistic community, the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees, and the general public. This year’s selected Honorees were chosen based on the recommendation of the Center’s Special Honors Advisory Committee.
How To Watch the Kennedy Center Honors
The 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors is set to air on the CBS Television Network and stream on Paramount. Check back for a date and time!
Every Country Artist that is a Kennedy Center Honoree
2020 - Garth Brooks
2019 - Linda Ronstadt
2018 - Reba McEntire
2010 - Merle Haggard
2008 - George Jones
2006 - Dolly Parton
2003 - Loretta Lynn
1998 - Willie Nelson
1996 - Johnny Cash
1991 - Roy Acuff
Across The Country With Amanda
Listen to Across The Country With Amanda, a weekly syndicated radio program featuring the legends you love, and the best in today’s country! Hear exclusive interviews and get the latest country music news. Find a station near you here.
Country Music News
Listen to the Podcast
George Strait has become only the eleventh country artist to receive the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor, cementing his place among the genre’s legends.