Dave Grohl Gloria Estefan Susan Tedeschi Dave Grohl, Gloria Estefan Bestowed with James Smithson Bicentennial Medals ByCillea Houghton December 11, 2022 4:31 pm Dave Grohl, Susan Tedeschi and Gloria and Emilio Estefan have received a distinguished honor from the Smithsonian Institute. Videos by American Songwriter All four artists were presented with the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal on Thursday (Dec. 8), for their respective contributions to music and the arts during a ceremony at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. The award was established in 1965 and is named after James Smithson, the founding donor of the Smithsonian Institute. The medal is given to “persons who have made distinguished contributions to the advancement of areas of interest to the Smithsonia,” according to the Smithsonian’s website. As a drummer for Nirvana and co-founder and frontman of the Foo Fighters, Grohl has won multiple Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of both bands in 2014 and 2021, respectively. In addition to the Bicentennial Medal, the Estefans, who are husband and wife, have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Gloria is also the second best-selling Latin artist of all time. In 2010, Tedeschi and her husband Derek Trucks co-founded the Tedeschi Trucks Band which has won several awards, including a Grammy Award in 2012 for Best Blues Album. “A true dream come true! I am honored and blessed!” Gloria shares on social media. “Thank you to everyone for all the years of love and support!” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gloria Estefan (@gloriaestefan) “What an honor today to be presented with this medal and to have a part of our history as a part of the exhibit at the @smithsonian American History,” Emilio wrote on Instagram, adding in another post that shows he and his wife standing onstage, “what a proud moment!” “It’s such an incredible honor to be given the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal and be part of this community,” Tedeschi said upon accepting the Medal, according to a press release. “Don’t let people tell you that you can’t do what your dreams are because you can. I started playing guitar just to prove the point that women can play guitar.” Past recipients of the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal include Jerry Lee Lewis, Betty White and Clint Eastwood. Photo: Courtesy of the National Museum of American History ←Previous Article Dionne Warwick Shares Advice She Gave Snoop Dogg, New Doc on the Way Next Article Tina Turner Mourns the Loss of Son, Ronnie: ‘You Left The World Far Too Early’→ Leave a ReplyOnly members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in. More From: Latest Music News & Stories Spotify Taps Cody Johnson, Carly Pearce, and More to Perform on Its CMA Fest Stage May 20, 2026 3:22 pm Alan Jackson to Celebrate America and Honor Veterans With Rare Memorial Day Show May 20, 2026 2:37 pm Luke Combs Tips Big at Kids’ Lemonade Stand, They Mistake Him for a Famous Golfer May 20, 2026 2:21 pm Reba McEntire Surprises Nashville VA Patients With Heartfelt Room Visits May 20, 2026 12:10 pm Radio Hall of Fame Reveals 2026 Inductees May 20, 2026 11:43 am Woman Who Inspired Greta Van Fleet’s Name Passes Away at 95 May 20, 2026 10:40 am You May Also Like Dave Grohl Nearly Cracked the Code to the Afterlife Thanks to a Dream Visit From Taylor Hawkins March 20, 2026 7:35 pm Dave Grohl Admits Music Became His Lifeline After Taylor Hawkins Died: “Made Me Question Everything About Life” March 18, 2026 10:58 am Dave Grohl Says He’s “Totally Uninvolved” in Daughter Violet’s Music Career—And Didn’t Even Know She Signed a Record Deal February 26, 2026 4:22 pm Dave Grohl Addresses Why Drummer Josh Freese Was Fired From Foo Fighters: “He Didn’t Feel Our Music Really Resonated With Him” February 20, 2026 2:00 pm Daughter of Foo Fighters Legend Dave Grohl Just Signed With Republic Records January 24, 2026 5:16 pm In His Honor: Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl To Be Saluted at LA Gala for His Charitable Work Feeding Local Homeless People September 8, 2025 7:26 pm Follow American Songwriter for more breaking news Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest YouTube Latest Posts 3 One-Hit Wonders From the 1980s That Deserve a Second Chance at Fame Today 3 Soft Rock Songs That Defined Summer for Millions of Americans in 1971 Spotify Taps Cody Johnson, Carly Pearce, and More to Perform on Its CMA Fest Stage