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Transcript/Script((INTRO))
[[Americas diversity as a nation is reflected in its music. As a way to celebrate that legacy the Smithsonian Museum of American History recently honored four artists who represent the broad American soundscape. Maxim Moskalkov has the story.]]
((NARRATION))
Four legendary musicians – Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Susan Tedeschi and Dave Grohl – were recently granted the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal, the Smithsonian Institution’s highest honor.
The award was established in 1965 to honor those who “have made distinguished contributions” to their fields.
Former recipients include Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, director Steven Spielberg, and theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking.
(((Anthea Hartig, National Museum of American History Director)) ((ENG))
“We’re honoring the artists who have made such a difference in their craft, but who also have given back to their communities and helped us define what it means to be American.”
((NARRATION))
American singer of Cuban descent, Gloria Estefan, has been performing for over four decades. She has received seven Grammy Awards, as well as the Presidential Medal of Freedom during her career. Along with her husband Emilio the two are credited with expanding Latin music’s popularity in the U.S.
((Gloria Estefan, Singer)) ((ENG))
“That was our only goal – to make music that people would enjoy! And then, as we grew and we wrote music and recorded it, and it started getting out there, then our goal became 'Let's share that music with as many people as possible throughout the world!'”
((Emilio Estefan, Musician and Producer)) ((ENG))
“Music has no language. What you like is what you have to do best. And the main thing for me and Gloria is to be real and to be loved the way that we are.”
((NARRATION))
American singer and guitarist, Susan Tedeschi, another recipient of the medal and a multiple Grammy Award nominee, has become famous thanks to her blues hits.
((Susan Tedeschi, Musician)) ((ENG))
“Through music we can heal. We can heal each other; we can get through these hard times. // So, through our music we try to bring hope and healing and diversity, as well as togetherness.”
((NARRATION))
Another Smithson Bicentennial Medal recipient was Dave Grohl – founder and lead singer of the rock band Foo Fighters and former drummer for the rock band Nirvana.
((Dave Grohl, Musician)) ((ENG))
“I am a DC area native, so this award holds a lot more weight than some of the others. Having grown up here and spent so much time at the Smithsonian over the years… // …we got to grow up here and experience so much culture and so much art!”
((NARRATION))
The ceremony was held before the opening of a new wing of the Museum of American History that shows how the American story has been told through pop culture.
((Maxim Moskalkov for VOA News, Washington.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Program NameSmithsonian Grants Smithson Bicentennial Medals to 4 Musicians
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Washington
Embargo DateDecember 9, 2022 18:29 EST
BylineMaxim Moskalkov
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English