(TULSA, Okla.) Aug. 11, 2026 — The Woody Guthrie Center today announced that legendary entertainer, humanitarian and activist Bette Midler has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Woody Guthrie Prize.

For more than 50 years, Midler has inspired audiences around the world as a singer, actress, author and producer. Beyond her celebrated career, she is also one of America’s most recognized advocates for environmental conservation, public spaces, LGBTQ+ rights, public health initiatives and a wide range of humanitarian causes.

The 2026 Woody Guthrie Prize event will take place on Oct. 16 at the historic Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa, Okla. The fundraising event will feature remarks from Cady Shaw and members of the Guthrie family, the award ceremony and an intimate conversation between Ms. Midler and music journalist Rona Elliot. The evening will conclude with a special solo acoustic performance by rising country star Bryan Andrews, whose honest storytelling, blue-collar perspective and fearless songwriting have captured significant attention on social media.

“I am so honored to have been chosen to receive the Woody Guthrie Prize this year. I loved his music, and I loved the way he lived his life, always seeking to spread the word that justice could and should be served and that every American, no matter what their station, deserved a fair shake in life,” Midler stated. “His integrity, his honesty and his moral compass inspired me and countless others to climb aboard his train, and to live our lives dedicated to the principles he taught us through his songs. In this world, there are the powerful and the powerless, and he spoke to and for the powerless, turning the rough, bleeding edges of American life into a grand, ragged opera. 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. The struggle for fairness and justice never ends, and he is one of the greatest Americans we were ever lucky enough to have among us to light the way. It's hard to say what my favorite Woody Guthrie song is...most people would say "This Land is Your Land", which is indeed a wonderful song, but the one I've always loved is "I Ain't Got No Home In This World Anymore". It's a snapshot of a certain time in America; a cold, hard wind howling through a boxcar door, a fierce and lonely whistle blown in the face of an indifferent world, an anthem of the dispossessed. I love it because it doesn’t ask for pity — it just states the facts, paints the story of the migrant and the outcast with unmatched clarity and reminds us that in his day and ours, beneath the neon lights and boosterism, there is always a shadow army of the forgotten and Woody Guthrie was their ultimate, uncompromising scribe.”

Her recent re-recording and collaboration celebrating Woody Guthrie’s iconic “All You Fascists Bound to Lose” further underscores her commitment to preserving and extending his legacy.

Nora Guthrie, daughter of Woody, says, “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. Using everything she's got — a song, a dance, a film, a good joke — all her talents are directed towards one goal, to support the often precarious lives of others.”

Since 2014, the Woody Guthrie Prize has honored artists who exemplify Guthrie’s spirit and legacy by speaking out through music, film, literature, dance and other art forms while serving as a positive force for social change. Past recipients include Pete Seeger, Mavis Staples, Kris Kristofferson, Norman Lear, John Mellencamp, Chuck D, Joan Baez, Bruce Springsteen, Pussy Riot, Tom Morello and U2.

“We are delighted to recognize Bette Midler with the 2026 Woody Guthrie Prize and celebrate not only her remarkable artistic achievements, but also her enduring commitment to creating a more just, more inclusive and more hopeful world, just like Woody,” says Cady Shaw, Senior Director of the Woody Guthrie Center. “Her participation in this event, our most important fundraiser of the year, will ensure our educational programs, events and exhibits remain possible and accessible.”

Andrews shared, “I’m honored to be part of an event that celebrates artists whose music has shaped so many lives. 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.”

Tickets will go on sale exclusively to Woody Guthrie Center members on Aug. 28, 2026. To become a member, visit www.woodyguthriecenter.org. Membership and ticket proceeds will fund the center's 2028 educational programming, public events, exhibitions and outreach. For sponsorship and other support opportunities, contact support@woodyguthriecenter.org. For general event inquiries, contact info@woodyguthriecenter.org.

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