Carpenter receives honor for free speech efforts

The award recognizes artists who have used their work to raise awareness and promote free speech through their music and other efforts. Past recipients include Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Joan Baez, Mavis Staples, Judy Collins, Charlie Daniels and Steve Earle.

The event will include a conversation with Carpenter about her music and career and will feature guest musical performances by Judy Collins and Rodney Crowell.

"Mary Chapin Carpenter is clearly comfortable in the marketplace of ideas," said Ken Paulson, president and chief operating officer of the Newseum and the First Amendment Center. "Her career has been one of absolute integrity. She has consistently written and performed songs that take a stand and reflect the human condition, while her activism outside of her art has also effected real change for real people."

Paulson noted that "from early recordings like He Thinks He'll Keep Her to the self-reflection of A Place In The World to the powerful perspective of Houston and On With the Song, she has used the power of free expression to craft statements of substance and emotion."

Carpenter is a dedicated supporter of organizations including Campaign for a Landmine-Free World, Artists Against Hunger and Poverty, Voters for Choice, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation and other groups.

The First Amendment Center, with offices at the Newseum and Vanderbilt University, works to build support for First Amendment freedoms through education, information and entertainment.

On April 27, Carpenter will release her new album, "The Age of Miracles," on Zoe/Rounder Records.