McCartney books White House gig

WASHINGTON, May 24 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama is to present rock 'n' roll icon Paul McCartney with the 3rd Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, the White House announced Monday.

The president and first lady Michelle Obama are to serve as hosts of a June 2 concert in the East Room honoring McCartney.

Obama previously presented the Gershwin Prize last year when the Library of Congress honored Stevie Wonder.

This year's concert is to be broadcast on PBS stations July 28 as "In Performance at the White House Celebrating the Music of Paul McCartney: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize."

The award commemorates George and Ira Gershwin, the famous U.S. songwriting team whose extensive manuscript collections are kept in the Library of Congress. The prize is presented to musicians whose lifetime contributions in the field of popular song exemplify the standard of excellence associated with the Gershwins, the White House noted.

The initial Gershwin Prize was presented to Paul Simon.