Neil Young and Paul Simon paid tribute to Willie Nelson as he was awarded the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, becoming the first country music star to ever receive the award.

The prestigious award honors a living performer and/or composer whose contributions to popular music exemplify the standard of excellence associated with George and Ira Gershwin.

As part of the tribute at Washington's DAR Constitution Hall, which was taped and will be broadcast on PBS on January 15, Simon and Edie Brickell performed a version of "Remember Me.

" Simon also teamed with Buckwheat Zydeco for a rendition of "Man with the Blues." Young also took to the stage for a version of "Whiskey River."

The Library of Congress started the award in 2007 and has so far given it to Simon, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Carole King, Paul McCartney and the team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David.