“I am a simple man blessed to be able to make a living at what I love, and I am a fortunate man to have learned from the best—from men like Muddy Waters—who made me promise to keep the Blues alive. I cannot begin to describe my feelings of deep gratitude to be receiving the Kennedy Center Honor. I am even more humbled because this award was beyond my wildest dreams in 1957 when I left home and my mother and father to pluck my guitar promising to return to them one day with a polka dot Cadillac. This Louisiana, and now Chicago, man respectfully thanks the Kennedy Center for such high praise and especially for recognizing and helping to keep the Blues alive today.”