Rosanne Cash Honored With Smithsonian Ingenuity Award

Grammy winning singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash was honored at the third annual Smithsonian Ingenuity Awards on Thursday (Oct. 16).

Smithsonian magazine, the flagship publication of Smithsonian Media, saluted 10 groundbreaking individuals, including Cash, across nine categories: technology, performing and visual arts, natural and physical sciences, education, historical scholarship, social progress and youth achievement. The awards have been described as the Golden Globes of Intellect, showcasing incredibly intelligent, exceptional, innovative Americans.

Cash, who released 'The River & the Thread' in January, was honored for her 2014 concept album, receiving the Ingenuity Award for her efforts in performing arts. She was presented the award by music producing legend T Bone Burnett.

In addition to her new record, the 59-year-old has been a mainstay in country music for years -- and not just because her father was Johnny Cash. She's had 11 No. 1 country hit singles, 21 Top 40 country singles and two gold records. Plus, Cash nabbed a Grammy in 1985 for 'I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me' and has been nominated twelve times.

Says Smithsonian editor-in-chief Michael Caruso, “It is thrilling to be able to bring together this group of extraordinary minds, celebrate their revolutionary work, and share their accomplishments with the world.”

The Smithsonian ceremony was held at the Kogod Courtyard in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. NPR's Michel Martin hosted the event.