Billy Joel, 4 others receive Kennedy Center Honors

Secretary of State John Kerry, with the 2013 Kennedy Center honorees, from left, seated Shirley MacLain, and Martina Arroyo, along with Teresa Heinz Kerry. Standing are Billy Joel, Carlos Santana, and Herbie Hancock, pose for a photo at the State Department for the Kennedy Center Honors gala dinner on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013 in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

The "Piano Man" who became one of the world's best-selling artists of all time with such hits as "Just the Way You Are," ''Uptown Girl" and "Allentown" is being awarded the nation's highest honor Sunday for influencing American culture through the arts.

Billy Joel joins Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock, opera star Martina Arroyo and actress Shirley MacLaine in receiving the Kennedy Center Honors. All of them have been playing music, dancing or singing since they were children — and have never stopped.

Joel said the honor stands apart from his six Grammys.

Billy Joel making Madison Square Garden a monthly venue

Billy Joel is definitely in a New York state of mind.

The legendary singer has signed a deal to perform at Madison Square Garden in New York City once a month, the venue announced on Tuesday. Joel will become the first musical artist to have such a franchise at the Garden.

"Since his first show in 1978, Billy has performed 46 shows at Madison Square Garden, including an unprecedented 12 consecutive sold-out shows that have earned Billy a spot among the Garden greats with a banner raised in his honor," James L. Dolan, executive chairman of The Madison Square Garden Company said via a press release. "Today, we take that relationship even further and are extremely honored to have Billy as The Garden's first music franchise."