[upbeat music] [upbeat music continues] [audience cheers] - Hey everybody, welcome to Soundcheck.

I'm Jen Eckert.

We've got a special edition of the show today.

We're at the American Music Honors inaugural event, celebrating artists who have made a profound impact on our nation's rich music history.

Now, the event it's being presented by the Bruce Springsteen archives in the Center for American Music at Monmouth University, which is located where else, but right here in New Jersey.

In this next hour, we'll hear from the honorees, which include Rocker and E Street fan member Stevie Van Zandt, legendary soul artist, Sam Moore, iconic pop soul singer, Darlene Love and singer, songwriter Steve Earle.

We're also hear from presenters and Jersey greats, John Stewart, Southside Johnny, Gary Tallent, and the boss himself, Bruce Springsteen.

Best of all, we'll bring you exclusive conversations and performances from the artists you won't hear anywhere else.

So join me for this Soundcheck from the American Music Honor Ceremony.

♪ My boy ♪ [bright music] ♪ I got so much love in my heart for him ♪ ♪ And I really don't feel like me when he's not around ♪ ♪ You know there are boys ♪ ♪ And there are boyfriends ♪ ♪ He's a fine fine boy ♪ ♪ I wanna tell the world ♪ ♪ About the boy I love ♪ ♪ He's the kinda boy I was dreaming of ♪ ♪ He's so sincere ♪ ♪ When he holds me tight ♪ ♪ When I'm blue ♪ ♪ He makes me feel all right ♪ ♪ Oh he's got a sweet sweet kiss ♪ ♪ And a true true heart ♪ ♪ And something tells me that we'll never part ♪ ♪ Oh a sweet sweet kiss ♪ ♪ And a true true heart ♪ ♪ And he's fine fine fine ♪ ♪ I know he's fine fine fine boy ♪ ♪ Let me tell you he's fine fine boy ♪ ♪ Oh oh ♪ [bright music] Bob Santelli, welcome.

We are here at the campus of Monmouth University for the American Music Honor Ceremony.

The first ever, tell me how this all came about.

- We are the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music.

We're located here on the campus of Monmouth University, and one of the things we wanted to make sure of is each year that we would select through a committee of four artists who we agree and believe that all have made a very substantial contribution to American music.

And artists also, who have not been in our estimation properly acknowledged.

They will then become part, if you will, of our extended family and carry on the overall mission of the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music, which is to basically promote and celebrate American music primarily for the next generation.

- Tell me about the history of the Bruce Springsteen Archives and the Center for American Music.

- Since I was an alum of Monmouth University and grow up in this area and knew very much about Bruce's history, the fact that just a few 100 yards from where we sit, he wrote "Born to Run."

I went to Bruce and told him of my plans.

It was interesting because this is a real reflection of who he is as a person.

He said, "It's a great idea Bruce Springsteen Archives.

But quite honestly, Bob, I'm just a chapter in an ongoing story of American music.

It's not just about me.

I'm just a part of that.

If we can figure out a way to tell that bigger story, then I'm in."

And so we came up with the concept of Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music.

♪ Somebody said ♪ ♪ What's in the dark ♪ ♪ Will surely come to the light ♪ ♪ Now your days are brighter ♪ ♪ And your burdens lighter ♪ ♪ And the whole world knows ♪ ♪ You're out of time ♪ [bright music] - Ladies and gentlemen, the Disciples of Soul.

[audience cheers] Come on.

Oh, you're gonna be Disciples, let it be of soul.

This is it, man.

The first annual American Music Honors.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the program.

This is exciting.

[audience claps] The harder rock and roll tonight flows through Highway Nine down into Monmouth ladies and gentlemen.

[audience cheers] You know what's crazy about how much people love Bruce Springsteen in New Jersey?

The song "Born to Run" has the lyric about New Jersey.

"It's a death trap, it's a suicide rap.

We gotta get out while we're young."

And we in New Jersey went, "We should make that the state song.

We should, I like that.

I like that."

- Let's talk about some of those honorees tonight.

We have Steve Earle, Sam Moore, Darlene Love, Stevie Van Zandt.

- What we like to see with these honorees, it's not just about their musical contributions.

All of their musical contributions are significant, but that they've done something, they've used their music to act as an agent for social political change, that they've gone beyond just being entertainers.

And each one of these four have done that.

- Evening, everybody, I am so sorry I can't be with you tonight, but I know it's gonna be a fabulous night.

And let me start by telling you, it's 1982.

Me and Stevie are in LA and he says, "Don't make any plans today because we're going to a show."

I said, "Whose show we going to?"

He says, "It's a surprise."

Takes me to the Roxy, out comes the legendary Darlene Love.

I couldn't believe it.

Now, by that time, Darlene had become this mysterious mythological figure in the music industry who had made just this bunch of amazing records and was considered among the best, if not the best of all the 60s singers, male or female.

And then in the 70s suddenly disappeared.

But there she was singing with her unequal gospel power with the good Lord in her blood undiminished in any way by what she's been through.

And best of all, she sang "Hungry Heart" and she's mind blowing, incredible.

Her voice completely intact.

And after the show, Stevie tells her Los Angeles isn't the place for a comeback.

She needs to come back to New York where she will be appreciated by us on the East Coast.

And sure enough, good things start to happen.

She does some Broadway shows, "Grease," "Hairspray," the Tony nominated "Leader of the Pack."

She gets the part of Danny Glover's wife and all four "Lethal Weapon" movies.

She sings "Christmas Baby, Please Come Home" on David Letterman for 28 straight years and she finally gets the chance to make the classic album she always deserved.

Introducing Darlene Love with songs written specifically for her by Elvis Costello, Cynthia Wheel, Barry Man, Jimmy Webb, Joan Jet, Michael Debar, Linda Perry, Stevie, and myself.

And she's just warming up.

It's my pleasure to present Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Darlene Love the inaugural American Music Honors Award.

Congratulations, Darlene.

[audience claps] [upbeat music] - [Jen] You're part of the first class inducted into the American Music Honors, yeah.

How are you feeling?

- I feel so great.

When I found out that they were gonna do this and they asked me and I said, "Yeah."

Most people think I'm from New Jersey I work here so much.

But then they said, "This was the first one."

And I said, "You know what?

Very rarely am I the first."

- You've got the honorees yourself, Steve Earle, Sam Moore, Stevie Van Zandt.

Talk to me about this group of influential artists that you're among.

- It's amazing because I've known just about all of them for at least 30 or 40 years.

I met Sam when he was singing with Sam and Dave in the 60s, and I met Stevie Van Zandt along with Bruce Springsteen in the 80s.

It's such a powerful group, you know?

And we all sound different.

We all have great voices, we have so much energy.

Just think about the energy that Stevie has and that Bruce has that I have and Sam has.

It's like we could probably make an atomic bomb.

- The atomic bomb of music.

- I am so grateful to be in the midst of all of you wonderful fans.

That's what I call you all.

[audience cheers] This is one of the hardest businesses I think you could ever want to be in.

You have to love it.

You have to love people that don't love you.

You go home after the show and you say, "Why am I doing this?

Why am I doing this?"

But it's because of the gift that God has given me and I truly intend to use it for the next 82 years.

[audience cheers] [bright upbeat music] Come on!

- You are performing "River Deep Mountain High" tonight.

Tell me about the importance of that song to you.

- I was recording for Phil Spector during that time, and Phil said he had this new song.

He wanted me to learn it.

When we came to the session, Tina was there.

She didn't know I was gonna be there and I didn't know she was gonna be there, but Phil had planned it the whole time.

She sung the lead and I sung the background.

Many, many years later I re-recorded that song, who produced one of my first albums was Stevie Van Zandt and he rerecorded "River Deep Mountain High."

So that song has followed me all my career.

[bright upbeat music continues] ♪ When I was a little girl ♪ ♪ I had a rag doll ♪ ♪ The only doll I've ever owned ♪ ♪ Now I love you just the way I loved that rag doll ♪ ♪ But only now my love has grown ♪ ♪ And it gets stronger ♪ ♪ Stronger ♪ ♪ In every way ♪ ♪ And it gets deeper ♪ ♪ Deeper ♪ ♪ Let me say ♪ ♪ And it gets higher ♪ ♪ Higher ♪ ♪ Day by day ♪ ♪ And do I love you ♪ ♪ My oh my ♪ ♪ Yeah river deep mountain high ♪ ♪ If I lost you would I cry ♪ ♪ Oh how I love you baby ♪ ♪ Baby baby baby ♪ [bright upbeat music continues] ♪ When you were a young boy ♪ ♪ Did you have a puppy ♪ ♪ That always followed you around ♪ ♪ Do do do do do do ♪ ♪ Well I'm gonna be as faithful as that puppy ♪ ♪ No I'll never never let you down ♪ ♪ Do do do do do do ♪ ♪ And it goes on and on ♪ ♪ On and on ♪ ♪ The river flows ♪ ♪ And it gets bigger baby ♪ ♪ Bigger ♪ ♪ Heaven knows ♪ ♪ And it gets sweeter ♪ ♪ Sweeter ♪ ♪ As it grows ♪ ♪ Do I love you my oh my ♪ ♪ River deep mountain high ♪ ♪ If I lost you would I cry ♪ ♪ Oh how I love you baby ♪ ♪ Baby baby baby ♪ - What are you most proud of?

- Number one, I didn't ever think my singing was gonna take me anywhere.

I was raised in church and I sung church songs.

But when the first Black man became president of the United States, my wish was, I would love to sing for him.

The stars got lined up in the right place and people I knew, knew them.

And I was asked to come and sing for Barack Obama for the gospel show that they did at the White House.

I mean, to go from just wanting to sing to sing Gospel.

♪ Yeah yeah ♪ ♪ I love you baby ♪ ♪ Like a school boy loves a pie ♪ ♪ I love you baby ♪ ♪ River deep and mountain high ♪ ♪ Yeah yeah yeah yeah ♪ ♪ Yeah yeah yeah yeah ♪ ♪ Yeah yeah yeah yeah ♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ ♪ Do I love you my oh my oh baby ♪ ♪ River deep mountain high ♪ ♪ If I lost you would I cry ♪ ♪ Oh how I love you baby ♪ ♪ Baby baby baby ♪ [bright upbeat music fades] [audience cheers] Thank you!

[audience cheers] - When you've been around music as long as I've been, if you're lucky, you come across an artist whose musical influences and interests are so broad and whose understanding of the importance and meaning of music is so great that sometimes you just have to sit back and admire the genius in it.

Steve Earle is an American music original, one of the many reasons why we celebrate him tonight.

Please welcome to the stage my friend Steve Earle.

[audience claps] [rock music] - Steve Earle, welcome to the American Music Honors Ceremony.

You're being honored tonight.

Tell me, when did you get the call that you were gonna be one of the inductee?

- Bruce came and did our benefit for, I have a son with autism and we have a benefit.

We do call John Henry's Friends every year for the DeKezel School.

And Bruce came and did our benefit last year and then we got this call about this and so I'm here.

I would've never missed this.

This meant a lot to me because of the name over the door of the organization giving out this award.

Because I came up doing this by the time I got to make a record, even by the time I got a publishing deal Bruce Springsteen has already put his first record out.

So I've done this thing that I do with an extremely high bar.

He is the singer songwriter of my generation.

He was the guy we all tried to keep up with.

And the greatest performer, I think, as far as just communicating with an audience that rock and roll ever produced.

I've never seen anything like it.

[audience cheers] This is a blast 'cause I get to do this and I get to accept this from you guys and Bruce and I get to play with The Disciples of Soul tonight.

Let's do that.

[rock music] [rock music continues] ♪ Well my name's John Lee Pettimore ♪ ♪ Same as my daddy and his daddy before ♪ ♪ You hardly ever saw grandaddy down here ♪ ♪ He only came to town about twice a year ♪ ♪ He'd buy 100 pounds of yeast and some copper line ♪ ♪ Everybody knew that he made moonshine ♪ ♪ Now the revenue man wanted frandaddy bad ♪ ♪ Headed up the holler with everything he had ♪ ♪ Before my time but I've been told ♪ ♪ He never come back from Copperhead Road ♪ - Tonight, you're performing "Copperhead Road."

- Yeah, I am.

There's a couple of songs I'll be remembered for.

I'll be remembered for the "Galway Girl in Ireland" for sure.

They'll say an Irish guy wrote it after I'm gone.

'Cause that's what they do.

But no doubt they'll be playing that song in 100 years.

It's part of the culture there now.

It's kind of blown my mind if that's happened 'cause I love that music a lot.

But Irish and Scottish music has a lot to do with music from the Appalachian Mountains.

And that's in what I do and has been from the beginning.

And that's kind of what "Copperhead Road" was about.

"Copperhead Road" is a few years later, my version of "Born in the USA" and that it's my post-Vietnam record.

It took everybody a while to start talking about the Vietnam War.

So dramatic for the whole country, whether you went or whether you didn't go.

So you get platooned and born in the USA and sort of at the end of that, that kind of cycle for me was, I was late, but it was "Coperhead Road."

- You and Bruce have this shared experience or skill of being able to tell the story of the everyday worker, the veteran, just the story of America that sometimes isn't told.

What story do you feel is not being told right now?

- [Steve] I think we've gotten ourselves into a trap, but we're not willing to listen to anybody.

So I don't think anybody's story is getting told now.

It's like you can't solve a problem of any sort and you can't have a functioning democracy if you're not willing to have a conversation with somebody that you know you're gonna disagree with at the beginning of the conversation.

So I don't think.

I think just pick somebody.

Everybody needs a voice at this point.

♪ Done two tour's of duty in Vietnam ♪ ♪ I came home with a brand new plan ♪ ♪ I take the seed from Colombia and Mexico ♪ ♪ I just plant it up the holler down Copperhead Road ♪ ♪ And now the D.E.A's got a chopper in the air ♪ ♪ I wake up screaming like I'm back over there ♪ ♪ I learnt a thing or two from Charlie don't you know ♪ ♪ You better stay away from Copperhead Road ♪ [rock music] ♪ Whoo ♪ [rock music continues] ♪ Copperhead Road ♪ ♪ Copperhead Road ♪ ♪ Copperhead Road ♪ [rock music fades] [audience cheers] The Disciples of Soul.

[audience cheers] - Sam Moore, welcome.

We are at the American Music Honors inaugural ceremony.

You are being honored tonight.

- Isn't that something?

- Isn't that something!

Wow, it is.

I come all the way from Florida here.

- Welcome to Jersey.

- Thank you.

- Bruce.

- Yes.

- He's one of your friends.

- One of my best friends.

- Tell me about your relationship.

- It goes way back.

- When did you first meet?

- When we first met, I didn't know anything about him and Dave and I was playing at this club.

- Stone Pony, iconic.

- Okay.

I didn't know at the time.

Dave and I were together then.

And I was told at the time that Bruce would come in to see Sam and Dave and I went, "Who is that," I did.

And they said, "Bruce Springsteen."

"Okay," and I left it alone and it went from there.

And we've been friends there ever since.

- Sam Moore, Sam Moore than just Sam and Dave, but Sam and Dave, wow.

One of those moments in your life when you hear that first Sam and Dave record and you just go, "I want to do that.

That's what I want to do."

You never hope to measure up to that, but you really realize that that's what you want to do.

They made some of the greatest duet R&B records of all time.

They sold millions and millions of records.

"Hold on, I'm coming," "Soul man," "You got me humming," "When something's wrong with my baby" and many, many more.

Please, Sam Moore.

[audience claps] - You were performing, "I thank you tonight."

- Yeah.

- Tell us the story behind the song.

- Well, I'm gonna do it.

I didn't come here to sing, you know?

- We wanna hear you sing.

- Well you guys, I'm being honest.

So why would you want me to sing?

- Because you're an icon.

You're a legend.

- Really?

- Yeah, you dunno that?

- No.

- Come on, man.

- Oh, come on man.

- Come on.

- Come on man.

You know, please.

♪ If you wanna dance ♪ ♪ Let's have a little chase tonight ♪ ♪ Can you feel it ♪ ♪ Listen to this ♪ [blues music] ♪ You didn't have to love me like you did ♪ ♪ But you did and you did ♪ ♪ And I thank you ♪ ♪ You didn't have to squeeze me like you did ♪ ♪ But you did I thank you ♪ ♪ If you took your love to somewhere else ♪ ♪ I wouldn't know what it meant to be loved to death ♪ ♪ You made me feel like I've never felt ♪ ♪ Kisses so good I had to holler for help ♪ ♪ You didn't have to squeeze like you did ♪ ♪ You did ♪ ♪ I thank you ♪ ♪ You didn't have to hold me like you did ♪ ♪ But you did ♪ ♪ I thank you ♪ ♪ Every day was something new ♪ ♪ You put on your coat 'cause your fine to-do ♪ ♪ You got me doing new things too ♪ ♪ Just so I can keep up with you ♪ ♪ You didn't have to shake me like you did ♪ ♪ But you did but you did ♪ ♪ I thank you ♪ ♪ You didn't have to like me but you did ♪ ♪ I ain't gonna lie about it ♪ ♪ I thank you ♪ ♪ All our life ♪ ♪ I've been shortchanged ♪ ♪ Without your love it's a crying shame ♪ ♪ And now I know what the fellas talk about ♪ ♪ When they say you've been turned out ♪ ♪ I wanna thank you baby ♪ ♪ Thank you baby ♪ [blues music continues] - You have influence and inspired so many artists, but who are your musical influences?

- My influence would be some people like Billy Preston, Jackie Wilson, Frank Sinatra.

I learned from these people.

I learned my presence on a stage, how to perform.

- I mean, you just had an amazing career, like you said, from Sam and Dave to your solo career.

- Yeah.

- What's next for you?

- I don't know.

- Listen, I've been doing this, this year will be 71 years.

I've been blessed to have sung in front of the Queen.

The Queen's mom sung in front of five, six Presidents.

For a fellow that come from a humble beginning, I have been blessed and I appreciate that.

I didn't ever think I would get as far as I did get.

So I got a second chance and I took advantage of.

♪ Let me tell you ♪ ♪ Baby ♪ ♪ Baby ♪ ♪ Thank you ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ [upbeat music] ♪ Yeah ♪ ♪ Thank you ♪ [upbeat music continues] [audience cheers] - My pal, little Steven Van Zandt is a pure rock and roll animal.

He does it all.

He is a singer.

He is a great guitarist, a songwriter, a band leader, great producer, performer, actor, activist.

He runs a record company and then there's the clothes, the fashion.

He does all of this in pursuit of a greater vision of the music that moved him so much as a youngster.

Steve, I love you, congratulations.

I'm proud to present to you the Inaugural American Music Honors Awards.

- [Jen] Stevie Van Zandt it is an honor to be sitting here with you.

- My pleasure.

- Tell me how this all came about.

Tell me about when you got the call that you were gonna be one of the honorees.

- I've been friends with, well, Santelli for forever.

And we had mentioned about doing the Center for American Music.

And talked about his plans about having workshops and things and we connected, connected Bob with my foundation.

I teach rock people, so we have a whole curriculum.

- Awesome.

- You know?

- Yeah.

- And the next generation bring.

- Yeah, well that's the whole point, to make this, especially the Renaissance, what I call the Renaissance period of the 50s, 60s and 70s, that needs to be accessible for future generations, so that's why the Center is so important.

I mean, there's several things around the country, but really nothing in New Jersey that represents that history.

And at this point we're sort of part of it, aren't we?

So it would be nice to have a home.

It's gonna be I think a wonderful thing when it's done and important actually.

I think what tonight needs is a little salsa.

What do you think?

Hit me!

[drumstick clacks] [upbeat salsa music] [upbeat salsa music continues] - [Jen] You and your fellow honorees tonight, you all have played many roles.

You, yourself, actor, activist, author.

Where do you feel most at home?

What role do you feel most at home at?

- I think as a drunk, I think it's really, it's really.

- Well, let's go get a drink, come on.

- The rest is all a bit, you know?

- [Jen] Yeah.

- I don't really feel comfortable doing any just one thing.

I found I flourish when I'm doing more than one thing.

If I'm doing just one thing, I overdo it, you know?

But I can give 100% to four or five things at a time.

♪ I was born lucky they always say ♪ ♪ I work in these fields of plenty ♪ ♪ Sweat for the company far away ♪ ♪ Fruit once sweet now has bitter taste ♪ ♪ My father he was a union man ♪ ♪ Very proud and outspoken ♪ ♪ They came and took him when I was young ♪ ♪ I will fight 'till his work is done ♪ ♪ And my children are hungry ♪ ♪ To taste the sweet life ♪ ♪ Though my eyes have grown tired ♪ ♪ Their desire ♪ ♪ Desire keeps me alive ♪ ♪ Come on ♪ ♪ I will gather no more of your bitter fruit ♪ ♪ I will gather no more of your bitter fruit ♪ ♪ I ♪ [upbeat salsa music continues] ♪ I have a sister she loves to dream ♪ ♪ Now she works right beside me ♪ ♪ We work the land we can never own ♪ ♪ Someday we'll reap what we have sown ♪ ♪ I don't look east I don't look west ♪ ♪ I don't understand their accent ♪ ♪ If it's not soldiers it's foreign debt ♪ ♪ But they haven't won this one yet ♪ ♪ From the fields will come fire ♪ ♪ To cleanse the lies from all sides ♪ ♪ The flames of freedom grow higher ♪ ♪ Until desire ♪ ♪ Desire is satisfied ♪ ♪ Hey ♪ ♪ I will gather no more of your bitter fruit ♪ ♪ I will gather no more of your bitter fruit ♪ ♪ Anthony on multi ♪ [drums thudding] - When you think about the kid from Middletown who started out playing at the Hullabaloo Club to now, what advice would you give your younger self?

- I wouldn't change that much.

I mean, I wouldn't tell my younger self much.

I mean, there was only one thing I was able to do.

So it wasn't like I had any options, okay.

- And you've done it well.

- Yeah, I mean, it wasn't like, "Oh, you guys were so courageous to be so steadfast in your journey to rock and roll."

No, we were losers.

We did not fit into society.

None of the options being offered us from society made any sense to us, okay?

And we were very lucky.

Very rarely we're luckiest generation.

Probably the luckiest guys in the luckiest generation ever.

♪ They want to help in America ♪ ♪ And the guns they come from America ♪ ♪ But they fight against us North America ♪ ♪ Why are the people so quiet in America ♪ ♪ Ah ya ♪ [guitar music] [guitar music continues] [upbeat salsa music] [upbeat salsa music continues] ♪ Hey hey hey hey ♪ ♪ Hey hey hey hey ♪ ♪ Hey hey hey hey ♪ ♪ Hey hey hey hey ♪ ♪ Come on ♪ ♪ Hey hey hey hey ♪ ♪ Hey hey hey hey ♪ ♪ Hey hey hey hey ♪ ♪ Hey hey hey hey ♪ [trumpet toots] [upbeat salsa music] ♪ I will gather no more of your bitter fruit ♪ ♪ I will gather no more of your bitter fruit ♪ ♪ La la la la la la la la la ♪ ♪ La la la la la la la la ♪ ♪ La la la la la la la la la ♪ ♪ La la la la la la la la ♪ ♪ La la la la la la la la la ♪ ♪ Come on you can do it ♪ ♪ La la la la la la la la la ♪ ♪ Come on New Jersey ♪ ♪ La la la la la la la la la ♪ ♪ Come on feel it Tammy ♪ ♪ La la la la la la la la la ♪ ♪ I know you can sing ♪ ♪ La la la la la la la la la ♪ ♪ Little bit louder ♪ ♪ La la la la la la la la la ♪ ♪ Let Bruce and Patty hear you ♪ ♪ La la la la la la la la la ♪ ♪ La la la la la la la la la ♪ ♪ Everybody ♪ ♪ La la la la la la la la la ♪ ♪ La la la la la la la la ♪ ♪ La la la la la ♪ ♪ La la la la la la la la la ♪ ♪ La la la la ♪ ♪ La la la la la la la la la ♪ ♪ La la la la ♪ [upbeat salsa music continues] - Danny Clinch, welcome to soundcheck.

- Thanks for having me.

- Tell me about the importance of an event like this.

- Well, I think we have an opportunity to celebrate New Jersey artists, which is really a joy for everyone here.

I mean, I feel like what did this thing sold out in like a second?

And all the people that are here being honored are really important people in the community.

And music and art means a lot to people.

- You are an iconic photographer.

You have photographed some of the honorees tonight.

Who are Sam Moore, Steve Earle, Darlene Love, Stevie Van Zandt.

Talk to me about the experience you've had with these honorees.

- Well, I have to say, I am really loving Steve's new pregame outfit that he's been wearing.

He's got that great hat and I've been hanging out backstage and every chance I get I try to get a little shot of him in that outfit, which is awesome.

He's just got such great style.

But I just think it's really important to celebrate the people who have always given back to the community.

Steven, Bruce, you know, you think about Steve Earle and what he's given back to his community.

And it's been really inspiring for me.

- Where is Jersey's place in music history?

- Man, Jersey's place in music history is deep.

You think about Count Bassy and you think about Frank Sinatra and then you can just go down the list.

I mean, it's incredible.

It really is.

And I think we could give any state a run for their money.

♪ Whoa whoa oh oh ♪ ♪ Whoa whoa oh oh whoa ♪ ♪ Whoa whoa oh oh ♪ ♪ Whoa whoa oh oh oh ♪ ♪ We lived in a time and a world of our own ♪ ♪ Makin' up the rules as we went along ♪ ♪ Just one coat between us and we never felt cold ♪ ♪ We were never gonna get old ♪ ♪ Playing cards 'til the sun came up ♪ ♪ Rollin' dice ♪ ♪ Down in the club and listen to the blues all night ♪ ♪ Girls out on the corner got lonely now and then ♪ ♪ We'd never be that free again ♪ ♪ It's been a long time since we've laughed together ♪ ♪ It's been a long time since we've cried ♪ ♪ Raise your glass for the comrades we've lost ♪ ♪ My friend it's been a long long time ♪ ♪ Workin' just enough to pay the rent ♪ ♪ Money got made baby better believe money got spent ♪ ♪ Sleepin' when we had nothin' left to do ♪ ♪ Underneath the boardwalk and up on the roof ♪ ♪ We never quite fit baby we never played the game ♪ ♪ Came out explodin' like a runaway train ♪ ♪ Up all night talkin' about dreams of better days ♪ ♪ Ain't it funny how some things don't change ♪ ♪ It's been a long time since we've laughed together ♪ ♪ It's been a long time since we've cried ♪ ♪ Raise your glass for the comrades we've lost ♪ ♪ My friend it's been a long long time ♪ [guitar music] - [Stevie] Center, you know, just like my radio show, just like my record company, just like my school curriculum, it's all about the same thing, which is preserving this incredible renaissance.

And you can start that wherever you wanna start it, at the beginning of 20th Century and making it accessible to future generations.

That's really what it's all about for us who I've dedicated the last 20 years of my life to.

- And we are celebrating that tonight.

- Absolutely.

♪ Whoa whoa oh oh oh oh ♪ [upbeat music] - Let me hear it.

♪ We lived in a time and a world of our own ♪ ♪ Makin' up the rules as we went along ♪ ♪ Just one coat between us and we never felt cold ♪ ♪ We were never gonna get old ♪ ♪ It's been a long time since we've laughed together ♪ ♪ It's been a long time since we've cried ♪ ♪ Raise your glass for the comrades we've lost ♪ ♪ My friend it's been a long long time ♪ ♪ Long time ♪ ♪ It's been a long time since we've laughed together ♪ ♪ It's been a long time since we've cried ♪ ♪ Cried ♪ ♪ Raise your glass for the comrades we've lost ♪ ♪ My friend it's been a long long time ♪ - Everybody.

♪ Whoa whoa whoa ooh oh oh ♪ ♪ Whoa whoa whoa ooh oh oh ♪ ♪ Whoa whoa whoa ooh oh oh ♪ ♪ Whoa whoa whoa ooh oh oh ♪ ♪ One more time ♪ ♪ Whoa whoa whoa ooh oh oh ♪ ♪ Whoa whoa whoa ooh oh oh ♪ ♪ Whoa whoa whoa ooh oh oh ♪ ♪ Whoa whoa whoa ooh oh oh ♪ ♪ Whoa whoa whoa ♪ ♪ It's been a long time ♪ ♪ Been a long time ♪ Thank you!

[audience cheers] Get up here, girl.

[bright upbeat music] ♪ Hey ♪ ♪ Got a man and kids in Baltimore Jack ♪ ♪ I went out for a ride and I never went back ♪ ♪ Like a river that don't know where it's flowing ♪ ♪ I took a wrong turn and I just kept going ♪ ♪ Everybody's got a hungry heart ♪ ♪ Everybody's got a hungry heart ♪ ♪ Lay down your money and you play your part ♪ ♪ Everybody's got a hungry heart ♪ ♪ Don't worry at all ♪ - Stevie promised me when we met in 1982 that he was going to produce me.

'Cause he said, "I need to record you."

I said, "Okay."

He recorded me all right.

But it was 30 years later.

- Good things come to those those who wait.

- Who wait.

- Wait patiently.

- What's it like to be on stage with him?

- It's magic 'cause I never know what Stevie's going to do.

- [Jen] It's true.

- [Darlene] And we work so good on stage because I feel like I've worked with him on stage for years, which I have not, not actually on stage, but the feeling and the respect that we have for one another, it just shows and it glows when we're on stage with one another.

- [Jen] Rock and Roll, Hall of Fame inductee, Grammy winner, actor, artist, American Music Honors inductee.

Your journey it just keeps getting better and better.

What's next for you?

- You know what I always say?

I told the Lord one day, "Well, you're giving me all these wonderful accolades that toward the end of my life."

I said, "Well, I guess maybe it's not the end of my life 'cause you keep giving me these wonderful awards."

And it is wonderful that I still have my peers and they still think, and they still are honoring me at the age of 82.

- No.

- So, maybe I have another 15, 20 years.

♪ Played your part ♪ ♪ Everybody's got a hungry heart ♪ ♪ Everybody's got a hungry heart ♪ ♪ Everybody's got a hungry heart ♪ ♪ Lay down your money and you play your part ♪ ♪ Everybody's got a hungry heart ♪ [upbeat music] ♪ Oh yeah ♪ ♪ Everybody's got a hungry heart ♪ ♪ Oh yeah ♪ ♪ Everybody's got a hungry heart ♪ ♪ Everybody's got a hungry heart ♪ ♪ Everybody's got a hungry heart ♪ ♪ Everybody's got a hungry heart ♪ ♪ Lay down your money and you play your part ♪ ♪ Everybody's got a hungry heart ♪ [upbeat music fades] [audience claps] - [Jen] You're the founding executive director of the Grammy Museum.

How did that role and that experience play into curating the Archives in the Center for American Music?

- I got to the point in my career where I really wanted to do something that tied everything together for me.

And I was born and raised in New Jersey, born in Jersey City, raised in West New York and here in the Jersey Shore.

I went to Monmouth College at the time.

So this place is my alma mater.

I wanted to make sure I was able to pull all of these things together and basically make sure that I gave back.

And so it's to my state, it's to my region, it's to my university and it's to one of my mentors and also the ongoing mission of American music and making sure that we have the opportunity and there's a place where teachers, academics, students, anyone can go and get a deeper understanding of how important this music is to our national identity.

[upbeat music] [upbeat music continues] ♪ Now listen ♪ ♪ I'm gonna sing a verse ♪ ♪ He going sing a verse.

♪ ♪ No he going to sing a verse.

♪ ♪ He going to sing a verse and Johnny goes home ♪ ♪ Okay works for me ♪ ♪ Works for you, good ♪ ♪ If you had a good time tonight ♪ ♪ Give this man a great big hand ♪ [audience claps] ♪ You got a hell of a band fella ♪ ♪ Make your own videos too ♪ ♪ We get paid ♪ ♪ They get paid okay all right ♪ ♪ All right ♪ ♪ Here I go let me sing ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ Coming to you ♪ ♪ On a dusty road ♪ ♪ Good lovin' I've got a truckload ♪ ♪ And when you get it ♪ ♪ You got something ♪ ♪ You don't worry 'cause I'm coming ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ Sing y'all ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ I got what I got the hard way ♪ ♪ Yeah I make it make better each and every day ♪ ♪ Don't you worry and don't you fret ♪ ♪ 'Cause you ain't seen nothing yet ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ Yeah yeah ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ Brought up on a side street ♪ ♪ I learned how to love before I could eat ♪ ♪ I was educated at Woodstock ♪ ♪ When I start lovin' oh, I can't stop ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ Can't hear you ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ Louder ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ Take it to the bridge ♪ ♪ Grab a rope ♪ ♪ I pull you in ♪ ♪ Say I'll give you hope ♪ ♪ And be your only girlfriend ♪ ♪ Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah ♪ [upbeat music continues] ♪ One two three ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ No no no no ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ - Y'all like that don't you?

- Yeah, they do.

♪ Lord have mercy ♪ ♪ ha ha ha ♪ ♪ Wow ♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ [upbeat music continues] ♪ Well well well ♪ ♪ Soul man ♪ ♪ Come on man ♪ ♪ Huh ♪ ♪ Shake that dirty thing yeah ♪ ♪ Shake that money maker ♪ ♪ Why don't you shake it ♪ ♪ Shake that money maker ♪ ♪ Why don't you shake it ♪ ♪ Good god ♪ ♪ Shake your money maker ♪ ♪ I said ah yeah ♪ ♪ Shake your money maker ♪ ♪ Come on ♪ ♪ Shake that money maker ♪ ♪ Come on ♪ ♪ Shake that money maker ♪ ♪ Come and tell you I want to na na na na ♪ ♪ Nah nah nah ♪ ♪ Diddle diddly diddle diddley diddley diddle ♪ Oh, go ahead, come through.

- Where you going, Joe?

First verse, Darlene take you.

♪ Coming at you on a dirt road ♪ ♪ Good lovin' I've got a truckload ♪ - [Stevie] Go ahead, go ahead.

♪ And when you get it you can't stop ♪ You ain't lying ♪ 'Cause I'm coming ♪ ♪ And show you what I got ♪ ♪ Look out ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ La la la la la la la ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ Oh la la la ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ Now double time ♪ - I wanna retire but you don't retire until you completely stop singing.

that's retirement, I'm still singing.

So what does that mean?

I'm going to go back now and do what I promised my mom and my grandmother I'm gonna finish a gospel song, some songs.

- We appreciate what you've given to American music.

- Listen, I appreciate that and thank you very kindly and it's so glad and I'm so happy to be back here to do this and I'm to be honored.

[bright music] ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ Oh man ♪ ♪ Soul man ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ Soul man ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ You a soul band ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ You're a soul man ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ You you ♪ ♪ Soul man ♪ ♪ You you you ♪ ♪ Soul man ♪ ♪ You you you ♪ ♪ Soul man ♪ ♪ Soul man ♪ ♪ Soul man ♪ ♪ Soul man ♪ ♪ Soul man ♪ ♪ I'm a soul man ♪ ♪ Soul man ♪ ♪ Yeah there's a soul man ♪ ♪ Soul man ♪ ♪ I've got a soul man ♪ ♪ Soul man ♪ ♪ I've got a soul yeah ♪ ♪ Soul man ♪ ♪ Hey ♪ ♪ Soul man ♪ ♪ Hey yeah ♪ ♪ Soul man ♪ ♪ That's all right ♪ [audience cheers] - [Jen] What an incredible night honoring all these music greats and seeing the connection these artists share not only with each other, but the connection their music has made to so many of us and their place in our nation's rich music history.

Well, thanks so much to the honorees for their time and to the Bruce Springsteen Archives and the Center for American Music for this front row seat to this awesome event.

Well, that's gonna do it for us.

I'm Jen Eckert.

We'll see you here for the next Soundcheck.

[rock music] [rock music continues] ♪ Now girl don't bother locking my door ♪ ♪ He's out there hollering ♪ ♪ Darling don't you love me no more ♪ ♪ You always let him in before now didn't you ♪ ♪ He's just singing the same old song ♪ ♪ He always sang before ♪ ♪ He's the last of the hard-core troubadours ♪ ♪ He's the last of the all night do right ♪ ♪ Hey Rosalita won't you come out tonight ♪ ♪ He's the last of the hard-core troubadours ♪ ♪ He's the last of the hard-core troubadours ♪ [rock music fades]