The Kennedy Center Honors is an annual honor given to those in performing arts for their lifetime contributions to American culture, and Johnny Mathis is more than deserving, not only for his lifetime contributions, but also for his excellence and longevity in the music business.

Mr. Mathis’ accomplishments are numerous and varied. He recently celebrated 65 years as the “voice of romance”. He has set many records and precedents in the music industry. His greatest hits album, released in 1958, became one of the most popular albums of all time and spent an unprecedented 490 continuous weeks (almost ten years) on Billboard’s Top Albums Chart.  This record has been noted in the Guinness Book of World Records. At one point in his career, he was one of only five recording artists to have a Top 40 Hits spanning each of his first four decades as a recording artist.  He also achieved 50 hits on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary Chart and ranks as the all-time #6 Album Artist in the history of Billboard’s Pop Album charts.

Mr. Mathis has been honored to make appearances before various heads of state, the British Royal Family and U.S. presidents.

Mr. Mathis has received the following honors:

star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame;
five Grammy nominations;
inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame three times;
Ella Award from the Society of Singers;
Gold Medal of the Academy of Achievement award;
Art Gilmore Career Achievement Award;
Induction into America’s Pop Music Hall of Fame;
Lifetime Achievement Award in City Hall by the Mayor and City Council of Los Angeles and;
released 79 studio albums and continues to be Columbia Records’ longest signed record artist.
At 86, Mr. Mathis is still performing before sold out audiences. In spite of his busy tour schedule, he does volunteer work with many charities. He is an avid golfer and plays when his schedule permits.