It’s an ersatz show with barely more than meaningless medals, but it does prove that the arts are our nation’s heritage, its driver, its soul.

I mean when you see the President and his wife rocking out, you know that music moves the country in a way no other medium can, and if you just harness the zeitgeist, you will possess more power than any politician and any banker.

And the problem is the talent. If you’ve got the lead singer of Panic! At The Disco singing Billy Joel’s “Big Shot” you may have appealed to the kids but you’ve lost all credibility.

However, Rufus Wainwright finally got his star turn with “New York State Of Mind,” he wrung its essence out, but improved on the original not a whit.

Unlike Don Henley, who extracted a soulful feeling different yet equal from “She’s Got A Way.”

Don Henley – She’s Got A Way – Billy Joel Kennedy Center Honor

But the reason I mention Henley is he’s a peer. Billy seemed near tears as Henley performed his song. We all want respect. Mostly from those we respect. And in this short segment, Billy’s night was made.

But the highlight of the evening was Buddy Guy’s rendition of Muddy Waters’s “Hoochie Coochie Man.”

Performance is a funny game. It’s he who transcends who is remembered. You can be good, you can be great, but if you can blow us away…

And that’s what Buddy Guy did.

Buddy Guy: The Kennedy Center Honors 2013 – Hoochie Coochie Man

It was kind of like Prince at the Super Bowl. An unexpected victory lap that defined the experience. But most people still don’t know Mr. Guy, he has gotten awards, but not a victory lap with the public, but last night he did.

He’s so relaxed. Unlike so many of today’s stars, he’s not working too hard. He’s reveling in his talent. And so are we.

It’s like you’re hearing the song for the very first time. But as it goes on, your mind is stretched all the way back to the progenitor, the blues come alive in the hands of this lifer respected by the players who has never gotten the public adulation of Clapton, Page or Beck.

It seems so effortless. Like he’s spent his whole life preparing. Like he can wake up in the morning, pick up his Strat and deliver at will.

And it’s all now, not calculated and premeditated like the efforts of the politicians and the businessmen.

It’s what we all strive for. It’s the nougat of sex. The essence of life.

We all want to live in the moment.

And last night, Buddy Guy did.

Acts followed him, but no one else could equal his power, his ability to channel life.

Be careful of who opens for you.

And when you get your chance… DELIVER!