Al Green is named Kennedy Center Honoree

Last night, Dec. 7, Al Green along with four other entertainers (Tom Hanks, Sting, Lily Tomlin, Patricia McBride) were recognized for his work in entertainment and how it is has benefited our culture.

The Honors recipients recognized for their lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts—whether in music, dance, theater, opera, motion pictures, or television—are selected by the Executive Committee of the Center's Board of Trustees. The primary criterion in the selection process is excellence. The Honors are not designated by art form or category of artistic achievement; the selection process, over the years, has produced balance among the various arts and artistic disciplines.

The Honoree selection process includes solicitation of recommendations from the general public and an advisory committee comprised of artists, past Honorees and Kennedy Center board members.Kennedy Center

The 37th Annual Kennedy Honors will be broadcasted on December 30.

Here's some little known facts about Al Green:

1. He was born in Dansby/Forrest City, AR.

2. Al use to be a pimp in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

3. Green was kicked out of his family home for listening to secular music of Jackie Wilson

4. First hot was with Al Greene and the Soul Mates

5.  Al dropped the last "e" from his lat name before singing with Hi Records

6. The girlfriend that through grits on him was already married to someone else.

7. Al Green has won 8 grammy's

photo via Ron Sachs-Pool/Getty Images