Kennedy Center Honors Dec.26; Martin, Ross, Scorsese Among Recipients

The 30th Annual Kennedy Center Honors will be broadcast tonight, December 26 on CBS at 9PM (Eastern).  Recipients to be honored at this year's national celebration of the arts are pianist Leon Fleisher, actor and writer Steve Martin, singer Diana Ross, film director Martin Scorsese, and songwriter Brian Wilson.

"Honors recipients are recognized for their lifetime of contributions to American culture through the performing arts - whether in dance, music, theater, opera, motion pictures or television - each is selected by the Kennedy Center's Board of Trustees. The primary criterion in the selection process is excellence," explain press notes, "The Honors are not designated by art form or category of artistic achievement; nevertheless, the selection process, has achieved a balance between the artistic disciplines over the years.

Among the performers giving thanks and tribute to the honorees are Yolanda Adams, Steve Carell, Kristin Chenoweth, Ciara, Francis Ford Coppola, Robert De Niro, Cameron Diaz, Art Garfunkel, Hootie and the Blowfish, Terrence Howard, Bill Irwin, Lyle Lovett, Yo-Yo Ma, Vanessa Redgrave, Smokey Robinson, Earl Scruggs, Martin Short and Jordin Sparks.

The celebration took place on Sunday, December 2 at the Kennedy Center Opera House stage.  For further details on the awards and recipients, visit www.kennedy-center.org