Refugee 7 Report post Posted January 13, 2009 Bruce Springsteen, Bono, Stevie Wonder and Garth Brooks top a roster of big-name acts who'll gather in Washington, DC, next Sunday (1/18) for a free concert that will mark the official start of inaugural festivities for President-Elect Barack Obama. Dubbed "We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial," the event will also feature Mary J. Blige, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp, Usher Raymond IV, Shakira, James Taylor, Will.I.Am, and Beyonce. Additional performers will be announced, according to organizers. Veteran producer Rob Mathes will serve as musical director and arranger for the event's house band, which will back all of the aforementioned artists. In addition to the musical performances, the event will also feature Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington, all of whom are scheduled to give readings of historical passages. "Our intention is to root the event in history, celebrating the moments when our nation has united to face great challenges and prevail," executive producer George Stevens, Jr. (The Kennedy Center Honors) said in a prepared statement "We will combine historical readings by prominent actors with music from an array of the greatest stars of today." According to a press release, HBO will "televise the event on an open signal, working with all of its distributors to allow Americans across the country with access to cable, telcos or satellite television to join in the Opening Celebration for free." Full details about the event are available at the Presidential Inaugural Committee's website. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brandonwood20 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2009 Can't wait for the Inauguration. Go Presidentlial Elect Obama!! I'm not too sure about Garth though... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weird monkey 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2009 I heard a rumor - here I go again with the rumors - that Bob might play a song. I doubt he'll play, but if he does, I hope it's Maggie's Farm. That's the Prez-elect's 'Dylan Song' Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martin03345 167 Report post Posted January 13, 2009 I doubt Bob would show up Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echosoftom 3 Report post Posted January 14, 2009 ^ Don't count old Bob out, you never know. I'm looking forward to all the inaugural festivities, except Beyonce, UGH! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weird monkey 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2009 Here's the email as it was passed on to me: "There are going to be major concerts on Sat, Sun & Monday afternoons. The Sunday afternoon (at least) is produced by HBO, who produced the giant concert for Clinton's Inaug. Basically, none of the performers are announced in advance to keep the crowds down. at the unnannounced show in Jan '93, besides Bob Dylan perfoming Chimes of Freedom, others performing unnannounced were Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Melissa Etheridge, Tony Bennett, LL Cool J, Michael Stipe, etc. etc. this year's secret line-up will include: Aretha (confirmed) Shakira (confirmed) Bruce Springsteen (confirmed, Sunday, Lincoln Memorial) James Taylor (confirmed, "Shower The People") Wynton Marsalis (confirmed, Monday, MLK) Stevie Wonder Bob Dylan The Grateful Dead Sheryl Crow Melissa Etheridge Will.I.Am John Legend Jay-Z (also doing Warner Theater show) The reason I'm telling you all this is -- this only airs once (when it goes live) -- with so many performers, HBO can only get a one-time-airing rights from everyone -- so in order to capture it, you have to record it when it happens. artists may very well perform at multiple events. Aretha and Yo To Ma are both performing at the swearing-in itself -- but ya know that ain't gonna be the only time. the MLK concert on Monday may be covered live by multiple networks." The 2 reasons I think there is a possibility that Bob would show up, is that he performed at the March in Washington and I think this ranks right up there as an important milestone in our history, and the late, great, Odetta was scheduled to perform - I think he'd play in her honor. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echosoftom 3 Report post Posted January 14, 2009 Marcia, I think you're right about Bob and Odetta Holmes connection. She was planning to perform at the inauguration as well. :085: And, thanks for the heads up about the show. Better fire up the TiVo. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
