On Wednesday, May 23, the Library of Congress will be awarding a new annual prize; the Gershwin Prize for popular song. The first recipient will honored at a gala concert held at the Warner Theater in downtown Washington DC. The Library of Congress describes the Gershwin Prize as follows: "named in honor of the legendary George and Ira Gershwin, this newly created award recognizes the profound and positive effect of popular music on the world’s culture. The prize will be given annually to a composer or performer whose lifetime contributions exemplify the standard of excellence associated with the Gershwins".

The performer/composer who will be receiving this award is Paul Simon. Once half of the very successful performing duo of Simon and Garfunkel, Paul Simon is also an extremely talented solo performer/composer. He has won numerous awards both as part of Simon and Garfunkel and as a solo performer. A press release from the Library of Congress gives details of Paul Simon's career and the many awards which he has received. A second press release gives the details of the concert. Those of us who are not able to attend the concert in Washington DC tonight will be able to share in the event when it is broadcast on PBS television June 27.

Paul Simon's song Graceland has been added to the National Recording Registry which was created by the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000. The goal of this law, Public Law 106-474, was to create "a comprehensive national program to ensure the survival, conservation, and increased public availability of America's sound recording heritage". Sound recordings preserved include music, monologues, and speeches. The Library of Congress provides a description of the National Recording Preservation Board, its members and its functions. Recordings can be nominated for preservation by anyone. The Library of Congress has published the criteria and procedure for nomination on their website.

If you are interested in listening to Graceland, the library has the CD in MAM. There are also many more Paul Simon CDs to choose from, among others : One-trick pony and Negotiations and love songs 1971-1986. If you are a Simon and Garfunkel fan, here are two good listening choices : Simon and Garfunkel's greatest hits and Simon and Garfunkel : the concert in Central Park. If you are a Gershwin fan or you are wondering exactly who the Gershwins are, the library has a biography of George Gershwin, a book about George and Ira titled Fascinating rhythm and a CD of Gershwin music, By George: Gershwin"s greatest hits.