CMT News

Texas-based traditional country singer Don Walser will accept the National Heritage Award Sept. 20 during a special ceremony in Washington, D.C. Presented by the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Heritage Awards recognize excellence in the folk and traditional arts. This year's winners were announced in May. Honorees will receive their awards from President Clinton or from first lady Hilary Clinton in a ceremony at the Russell Senate Office Building. A special concert highlighting honorees will be held Sept. 22 at Lisner Auditorium on the George Washington University campus. Also among this year's 13 winners are blues musician Pinetop Perkins, Tejano accordionist Santiago Jimenez Jr., Arhoolie Records founder Chris Strachwitz, native Hawaiian musician Genoa Keawe and gospel greats the Dixie Hummingbirds. Walser will release a new album, I'll Hold You in My Heart, named after the old Eddy Arnold classic, on Sept. 26.