Country legend Tom T. Hall is among the recipients of the Kentucky 2020 Governor's Awards in the Arts. The Kentucky Arts Council and Kentucky governor Andy Beshear will present the award at a later date. The Kentucky Governor's Award is the Commonwealth's highest artistic honor.
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Tom T. Hall, a Carter County native and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame member, is the recipient of the National Award. Hall is known as "the Storyteller," having written some of country music's most beloved songs, including "Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon Wine," "Harper Valley P.T.A," "A Week in a Country Jail," "Country Is," "The Year That Clayton Delaney Died," "Faster Horses," "(Margie's at) the Lincoln Park Inn," "That's How I Got to Memphis," "I Like Beer," "Little Bitty" and "I Love."
In 2019, Hall was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, along with John Prine.
Additional 2020 Kentucky Governor's Award winners include Milner Award-winner Michael Johnathon of Fayette County. Johnathon is the creator and host of the syndicated television and radio program WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour, which airs on RFD-TV and public TV stations nationwide.
"What an incredible honor," Johnathon said in a statement. "I am humbled and sincerely moved and I want to thank Governor Beshear and the Kentucky Arts Council. To stand in the company of Wendell Berry, James Still, Jesse Stewart, my friends Jean Richie, Homer Ledford and so many other proud artists of Kentucky, it is deeply moving and I am more than grateful."
Author and journalist Silas House is the winner of the Artist Award. House is the author of Clay's Quilt, The Coal Tattoo, Southernmost and more.
Read More: Tom T. Hall + Dixie Hall: Inside Their 46-Year Classic Country Love Story
Read on for the full list of winners:
National Award
Tom T. Hall
Carter County
Milner Award
Michael Johnathon
Fayette County
Artist Award
Silas House
Madison County
Business Award
Tidball's
Warren County
Community Arts Award
Artists Collaborative Theatre
Pike County
Education Award
Paducah Symphony Orchestra
McCracken County
Folk Heritage Award
Shelly Zegart
Jefferson County
Government Award
City of Somerset
Pulaski County
Media Award
Al Día en América
Jefferson County
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