When Ned Lamont was a young boy, he learned about rock music by listening to the Rolling Stones. Today, more than 50 years later, Lamont is governor of Connecticut, and he decided that legendary Stones guitarist Keith Richards should be the first recipient of a new honor known as the Governor’s Award of Excellence.

Richards, a longtime Connecticut resident, on Wednesday received the inaugural Connecticut Governor’s Award of Excellence. He was recognized for his support of local arts organizations. Richards, who lives in Weston, accepted the award at the Westport Library from Gov. Ned Lamont and his wife, Annie.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced today, March 3, that Rolling Stones guitarist and longtime state resident Keith Richards will be the first recipient of the Connecticut Governor’s

Gov. Ned Lamont plans to honor rock legend Keith Richards with the first-ever Connecticut Governor’s Award of Excellence. Richards, a founding member of the world-renowned Rolling Stones, is a longtime Connecticut resident.

Keith has lived in Connecticut for 40 years and was recognized with the very first Governor’s Award of Excellence established this year. It was given to Keith during a small ceremony in another very quaint Connecticut town just minutes from Weston, in Westport, at the local library.

A four-time Grammy winner and Rolling Stones founding member was honored in Westport Wednesday for contributions to the State of Connecticut. Keith Richards was the first recipient of the Governor’s Award of Excellence,

Rolling Stones legend and longtime Connecticut resident Keith Richards is receiving the first-ever Connecticut Governor’s Award of Excellence, an honor celebrating those who embody the state’s values of creativity,