Where was the E Street Band?

I just finished watching the Kennedy Center Awards and I can't help but wonder why the E Street Band didn't play for Bruce Springsteen? It seemed strange to me. Sting was there. But then again Sting is always doing these things. He seems to know everyone! What is it with Sting? He's always doing tributes to other artists. He's a tribute whore. And what's with the beard? He looks like a British naval officer, I expected to see him in a fisherman's turtleneck sweater, like he's the new Gorton's Fish spokesperson. So I'm still curious as to why the E Street Band wasn't there.