Joni Mitchell Recieves the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song

The tribute concert premieres on March 31

• Christina Zeiders
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  Christina Zeiders is the Communications Specialist at WITF. She helps get the word out about all of WITF's programs, events and community conversations.

The Library of Congress has honored music icon Joni Mitchell with the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. The tribute concert took place in Washington D.C. on March 1 and will make its broadcast premiere on March 31 at 9pm on WITF TV and the PBS or WITF app.

After getting her start by performing in coffee shops and nightclubs in Canada, Mitchell went on to set a new standard of marrying music and lyrics. Songs such as Both Sides, Now, Chelsea Morning, Big Yellow Taxi, Woodstock, and The Circle Game made Mitchell a household name.

“Joni Mitchell’s music and artistry have left a distinct impression on American culture and internationally, crossing from folk music with a distinctive voice whose songs will stay with us for the ages,” Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden said. “Joni Mitchell’s music has so many artists and music lovers all singing her tunes. We are honored to present the Gershwin Prize to this musical genius.”

While Mitchell’s early work is often considered “folk,” her style draws from jazz, classical, and rock as she blended various musical genres. Her music often defies categorization. And as a lyricist, she was unafraid to delve into the personal and political to explore the reality of living within societal norms and time-worn traditions.

Mitchell redefined the role of women musicians, overseeing all aspects of her albums, including songwriting, arrangements, performance, production, and artwork.

“This is a very prestigious award,” Mitchell said. “Thank you for honoring me.”

The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song is the nation’s highest award for influence, impact, and achievement in popular music. The honoree is selected by the Librarian of Congress in consultation with a board of scholars, producers, performers, songwriters, and other music specialists.

Previous recipients are Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, songwriting duo Burt Bacharach and the late Hal David, Carole King, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, Smokey Robinson, Tony Bennett, Emilio and Gloria Estefan, Garth Brooks, and Lionel Richie.

Watch Joni Mitchell: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song on Friday, March 31 at 9pm on WITF TV, stream it live from the PBS or WITF app, or stream it on-demand starting on April 1.

About Joni Mitchell

Mitchell signed to Reprise Records in 1968 and released her debut, Song To A Seagull, the same year. The albums that followed set a new standard for the marriage of music and lyrics and made her the premier female singer-songwriter of a revolutionary new generation of artists.

The accolades bestowed on Mitchell have been vast, including multiple Grammy Awards®, the Kennedy Center Honors, the Polar Music Prize, MusiCares Person of the Year, and inductions into both the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

In her native Canada, Mitchell has received the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, Canada’s highest honor in the performing arts, and has been named a Companion of the Order of Canada, Canada’s highest civilian honor. She was also recently presented with an honorary doctorate from the Berklee College of Music.

Mitchell has never stopped making art, recently launching the Joni Mitchell Archives, which began with her curating her vast catalog to reveal hours of previously unissued studio and live recordings. In 2022, Mitchell won a Grammy for producing the first volume in the series, Joni Mitchell Archives Vol. 1: The Early Years (1963 to 1967).

This year is set to be another landmark year for Joni Mitchell as she brings her Joni Jam to the stage for her first headlining concert in over two decades at Washington state’s legendary Gorge Amphitheatre in June.

Watch Joni Mitchell: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song on Friday, March 31 at 9pm on WITF TV, stream it live from the PBS or WITF app, or stream it on-demand starting on April 1.