Kennedy Center Honors awards the best of the best

President Barack Obama, right, and first lady Michelle Obama, second from right, with recipients of the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors, from left, producer, television host and actress Oprah Winfrey, songwriter and musician Paul McCartney, sing the National Anthem during the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors Gala at the Kennedy Center in Washington. At far left in the background is Stedman Graham. (AP)
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell (2L) and his wife Alma (L) and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (R) stand for the US National Anthem during the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, DC. Recipients to be honored at the 33rd annual national celebration of the arts are: singer and songwriter Merle Haggard; composer and lyricist Jerry Herman; dancer, choreographer and director Bill T. Jones; songwriter and musician Paul McCartney; and producer, television host and actress Oprah Winfrey. (AFP)
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are are applauded by recipients of the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors, from left, Merle Haggard, Oprah Winfrey, Paul McCartney and former Secretary of State Colin Powell, right, and his wife Alma Powell, second right, during the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors at the Kennedy Center in Washington. (AP)
Gayle King walks the red carpet at the Kennedy Center Honors, in Washington. The 2010 honorees are Merle Haggard, Jerry Herman, Bill T. Jones, Paul McCartney, and Oprah Winfrey. (AP)
8President Barack Obama, right, speaks during a reception for the recipients of the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors, from left, Merle Haggard, Jerry Herman, Bill T. Jones, Paul McCartney and Oprah Winfrey in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (AP)
Recipients of the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors, Oprah Winfrey, and Paul McCartney, sing the National Anthem during the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors Gala at the Kennedy Center in Washington. Others are Stedman Graham, back left, and Trade Representative Ron Kirk, back right. (AP)
James McCartney, left, son of Paul McCartney, and Barbara Walters, walk the red carpet at the Kennedy Center Honors, in Washington. The 2010 honorees are Merle Haggard, Jerry Herman, Bill T. Jones, Paul McCartney, and Oprah Winfrey. (AP)
Carol Channing walks the red carpet at the Kennedy Center Honors, in Washington. The 2010 honorees are Merle Haggard, Jerry Herman, Bill T. Jones, Paul McCartney, and Oprah Winfrey. (AP)
Jennifer Hudson walks the red carpet at the Kennedy Center Honors, in Washington. The 2010 honorees are Merle Haggard, Jerry Herman, Bill T. Jones, Paul McCartney, and Oprah Winfrey. (AP)
Nancy Shevell, left, and Paul McCartney pose on the red carpet at the Kennedy Center Honors, in Washington. The 2010 honorees are Merle Haggard, Jerry Herman, Bill T. Jones, Paul McCartney, and Oprah Winfrey. (AP)
US President Barack Obama (2nd L) and first lady Michelle Obama stand with Colin Powell and his wife Alma and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (R) during the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington. (REUTERS)
Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y. attends the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors Gala at the Kennedy Center in Washington. (AP)
US singer Diana Ross and her son Evan pose on the red carpet of the Kennedy Center Honors gala performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington. (AFP)
Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler and guest pose on the red carpet of the Kennedy Center Honors gala performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington. (AFP)
US comedian Chris Rock and his wife Malaak pose on the red carpet of the Kennedy Center Honors gala performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington. (AFP)
US actor Alec Baldwin and guest pose on the red carpet of the Kennedy Center Honors gala performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington. (AFP)
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (3L) and family pose on the red carpet of the Kennedy Center Honors gala performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington. (AFP)
US singer Gwen Stefani (3L) and No Doubt band members pose on the red carpet of the Kennedy Center Honors gala performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington. (AFP)
US singer and actor Kris Kristofferson and wife Lisa pose on the red carpet of the Kennedy Center Honors gala performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington. (AFP)