**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**LEGENDARY SINGER AL GREEN HONORED WITH STELLAR ACHIEVEMENT AWARD IN WASHINGTON, D.C.**
**WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 26, 2023)** — In a formal ceremony held yesterday afternoon at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, legendary soul and gospel singer Albert “Al” Greene was presented with the nation's highest honor for artistic excellence. The event, co-sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Smithsonian Institution, recognized Mr. Green’s unparalleled six-decade career.
**What:** The accolade, formally titled the "Stellar Achievement in Music and Community Award," was conferred for Mr. Green’s contributions to the musical canon, specifically his pioneering work in the Memphis soul sound, as well as his transformative spiritual leadership as a pastor and his extensive philanthropic work in underserved communities.
**Who:** The award was presented to Reverend Al Green, 77. Notable attendees included fellow Memphis Recording Academy inductees, members of Congress, and the current Mayor of Washington, D.C. Mr. Green, who was ordained in 1987, delivered a short benediction before a five-minute medley of his iconic hits, including “Let’s Stay Together” and “Tired of Being Alone.”
**Where:** The ceremony took place in the grand concert hall of the Kennedy Center. The venue was chosen specifically to underscore the national significance of the honoree’s legacy.
**When:** The presentation was made at precisely 3:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, concluding a week of events honoring the 50th anniversary of the release of his landmark album, *Call Me*.
**Why:** Officials stated the award was intended to recognize not only Mr. Green’s commercial success—including eight Grammy Awards and a 2004 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—but also his enduring cultural and spiritual impact.