On Monday the National Medal of Arts was presented to eight people along with nine others receiving National Humanities Medals during a ceremony at the White House. One of the National Medal of Arts was presented to country legend Mel Tillis.

President Obama called Tillis one of the most inventive artists of the golden generation of singer-songwriters, noting that Tillis has written more than 1,000 songs and recorded 60 albums!Others honored Monday included pianist Andre Watts and actor Al Pacino. Go here for a full list.

 

Tillis, who's received many awards, told The Boot that this award stunned him.

"I was pleasantly surprised when I got the call because I didn't know there were any more awards left to win. I'm very thankful and what an honor."

Mel Tillis's career has spanned 55 years and he's entering 2012 with concerts planned throughout the country. Here's one of my favorite songs which became a hit for Kenny Rogers but was written by the incomparable Mel Tillis.

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