Bette Midler Named 2026 Woody Guthrie Prize Honoree

The Woody Guthrie Center has announced Bette Midler as the recipient of the 2026 Woody Guthrie Prize. The award ceremony will be held on October 16 at Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The evening will include remarks from Woody Guthrie Center Senior Director Cady Shaw and members of the Guthrie family, the award presentation, and a conversation between Midler and music journalist Rona Elliot. Independent country artist Bryan Andrews will close the night with a solo acoustic performance.

Midler released a re-recording of Woody Guthrie's "All You Fascists Bound to Lose" as part of her connection to the legacy being honored. In accepting the recognition, she said: "To receive an honor bearing the name of a man who fought the giants with nothing but a guitar and a clean conscience is a humbling thing, and it serves as a stark reminder that a writer's true business is always to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable."

Nora Guthrie, Woody's daughter, offered this on Midler's selection: "What I love about Bette Midler is that she is one of the rare artists that bring joy, laughter and love to the Good Fight. Always on the side of people that are historically unseen or ignored, Bette brings all of them to our attention."

Shaw added: "Her participation in this event, our most important fundraiser of the year, will ensure our educational programs, events and exhibits remain possible and accessible."

The Woody Guthrie Prize has been awarded since 2014 to artists who, according to the center, reflect Guthrie's spirit by speaking out through their art and working toward social change. Past recipients have included Pete Seeger, Mavis Staples, Joan Baez, Chuck D, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Morello, and U2.

Andrews, who according to the release has built a following of over 3.8 million on TikTok as an independent country artist, said of the opportunity: "Woody Guthrie's legacy continues to inspire songwriters everywhere, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to be involved. History will be told and it will be told through art."

For independent artists, Andrews' presence on this stage is a concrete reminder that building an audience through honest songwriting and social media can open doors that traditional industry paths do not.

Tickets go on sale exclusively to Woody Guthrie Center members on August 28, 2026. Membership is available at woodyguthriecenter.org. Proceeds support the center's educational programming, exhibitions, and outreach through 2028.