She is the seductive, silky voice in the popular group Sugarland, while he is the gruff baritone with 38 Top 10 hits and over 100 million record sales worldwide. She’s paying tribute to him tonight.
The Kennedy Center Honors have invited Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles to perform in Neil Diamond’s honor. Nettles sang “Hello Again,” one of Diamond’s most sorrowful tunes.
The Kennedy Center Honors is an annual event that recognizes American performers for their contributions to American culture throughout their careers.
Jennifer Nettles grabbed the stage, capping off a star-studded evening.
Growing up in Douglas, Georgia, Jennifer Nettles began performing at school assemblies and her Baptist church. She rose to worldwide recognition after forming Sugarland with Kristen Hall and Kristen Bush.
Founded in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2002, Sugarland has released three albums, fifteen of which have featured on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
Neil Diamond is a global icon and one of the most successful musicians of all time. He has ten Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary number one hits to his name.
Diamond made his acting debut with “The Jazz Singer” in 1980. The film is based on Samson Raphaelson’s play of the same name and features several Neil Diamond songs.
In the film, Diamond performs “Hello Again” in a moving sequence. The song was a major hit, reaching number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and third on the Adult Contemporary charts.
Jennifer Nettles came out in front of the audience at the Kennedy Center Honors and performed an emotional rendition of the song.
You can sense how much it affects Nettles as she cranks up her incredible voice in this song. She pours her heart and everything into the song, giving Diamond the honor of a lifetime.
Diamond is visibly affected by Nettles’ performance in the crowd. It’s incredible to see how much it means to him, and how much her performance influences him. His eyes are sparkling as he fights back tears.
Nettles’ touching tribute reaches many people in the audience.
“Good day, dear friend.” Hello. I’ve just phoned to notify you. Every night, I think of you. I realize it is late, but I couldn’t wait any longer. Hello.”
It’s exciting to witness this kind of commitment. If you’re a Neil Diamond fan, seeing his response to Nettles’ performance is exactly what you’re looking for.
The song ends with Nettle kissing Diamond. The night Diamond earned the Kennedy Center Honor was one of the most moving tributes. He will never forget that night.
Look at the video below for a glimpse into Neil Diamond’s unforgettable night. Acknowledging his contributions to American culture and witnessing Jennifer Nettles’ magnificent rendition of his song is truly a remarkable experience. It is truly fantastic to return and be a part of this incredible event.