This Year's Winners of Honorees

This year's winners of honorees are Merle Haggard, Jerry Herman, Bill T. Jones, Sir Paul McCartney and Oprah Winfrey.

Singer Merle Haggard, composer Jerry Herman, choreographer Bill T. Jones, musician Paul McCartney and presenter Oprah had all the honored on December 5, a lifetime achievement for the performing arts.

Before they attended the black tie gala at the Kennedy Center (CBS broadcast the program on Tuesday night), who were honored at the White House by President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.

Merle Haggard is no stranger to the White House was a guest of both Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan, who - when he was governor of California - was granted a pardon singer crimes and errors which led to three years in prison in San Quentin.