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MUSIC PEOPLE
NEWS
JANUARY 2026 Volume 57 Number 01 Issue 671
Editor Kelly Gregory
Contributors David Allan, Janet Aspley, Donnie Ayers, Craig Baguley, Jonny Brick, Chris Brown, Tony Byworth, Rosie Carter, Don Cusic, Larry Delaney, Julie Flaskett, Marshall Gardener, Michael Hingston, Stan Hitchcock, Tony Ives, Sianna King, Spencer Leigh, John Lomax III, Bryce Martin, Adrian Peel, Paul Riley, Chris Smith, Tom Travis, Walt Trott, Dan Wallace, Dave Watkins, Jack Watkins
New release consultant Steve Tidbury
Photographers Patricia Presley, Barry Dixon
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GEORGE STRAIT
RECEIVES PRESIDENT’ S MEDAL
C ountry superstar George Strait
received the Presidential Medal from President Donald Trump on 6 December, headlining a highly personalised group of honourees at the White House.
Strait was recognised alongside rock legends KISS, actor Sylvester Stallone, singer Gloria Gaynor, and Broadway’ s original Phantom, Michael Crawford. Trump praised the group as“ perhaps the most accomplished and renowned class of Kennedy Center Honorees ever assembled.”
The ceremony’ s location— the White House rather than the Kennedy Center— underscored a shift in the award’ s administration. President
Trump, who has recently overhauled the Kennedy Center board, stated he was“ 98 % involved” in selecting this year’ s recipients.
Strait, accepting his medal, removed his hat as Trump noted the indelible mark the King of Country has left on American life.
The new honours also featured custom-designed medals donated by Tiffany & Co. The evening’ s tribute performances, filmed at the Kennedy Center, are set to air on CBS and Paramount + on December 23rd, with President Trump hosting the broadcast. The event celebrated artists who, in Trump’ s words,“ have defined entire genres.”
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