Oprah, McCartney lead Kennedy Center gala

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Stedman Graham (from left), Oprah Winfrey, Paul McCartney, Trade Representative Ron Kirk, first lady Michelle Obama and President Obama sing the National Anthem.

WASHINGTON -- When The Beatles were storming America, Oprah Winfrey had the band's poster on her bedroom wall, Merle Haggard was free from prison, Jerry Herman was making Broadway sing and Bill T. Jones was not yet a dancer but growing up in a migrant labor camp.

On Sunday, these leading artists who followed divergent paths since the 1960s joined Paul McCartney to receive the Kennedy Center Honors, attending with President Obama.

''They're being honored for their unique ability to bring us closer together and to capture something larger about who we are -- not just as Americans, but as human beings,'' Obama said.

McCartney praised Obama. "You know, great things just come in bundles,'' he said. ''I am a big fan of this president, and I think he's a great man whose got some difficulties.''

For Winfrey, the prize comes during the 25th and final season of her talk show. After her Washington visit, she will take about 300 members of her audience to Australia for a vacation over the holidays.

Winfrey was one of the first to support Obama in his presidential run.

''Michelle and I love Oprah Winfrey, personally love this woman,'' the president said.