by Jason George
The Illinois ball for president-elect Barack Obama's inauguration might be Washington D.C.'s hottest ticket, but the event's headliners aren't exactly Kanye, The Boss or any of those A-list entertainers who've endorsed Obama.
In fact, wedding singers, corporate-events crooners and bar mitzvah bands make up the list of the musicians scheduled to perform at the Illinois State Society's Jan. 19 Inaugural Gala, according to a partial list obtained by the Tribune.
Planners say they are still hoping to hire a handful more professional acts, who will also be joined by two high school choirs.
Of course, it's not the musical entertainment that's making the D.C. event so popular but the assumption that Obama will keep with inaugural tradition and hit his home state's party. In 2001 and 2005, Texas' "Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball" reigned as the not-miss affair because of Pres. George W. Bush's Lone Star connections. In 2005, headliners at that ball included Asleep at the Wheel, Lyle Lovett and Clay Walker.
You'll notice, if you know your country music, that all those acts are home state heroes for Texans, which can not be said for the confirmed performers at the Illinois event - of the eight names I was given, at least seven are not Illinois-based acts. (The 8th group, "Madrigals," is a name used by several groups, so if you know which one is performing at the gala send it along. Wise-guys can save their email postage, as I can confirm that the Madrigals choral group has nothing to do with Madrigals, the shuttered all-male-strip club in Boystown Andersonville.)
'The Land of Lincoln''s very own Abe Lincoln was reportedly a member of the Illinois Society of Washington D.C., but no sitting president has ever attended the state's inaugural ball, and the event's organizers say they are excited to host this year's big one, which has a $1 million budget, financed through donations, ticket sales, Society membership and gala sponsorship.
Speaking of tickets, all 1,500 of the $500-a-piece tickets for the dinner/gala/reception have sold out. And while there are still $300 tickets to attend just the gala, those who buy them will party in an ancillary ballroom, where there will be "entertainment and live feeds to the main ballroom," according to the Illinois States Society.
In the main ballroom, the rooms will themed around Illinois sights. So, the Society says, you can "meet your friends under the Marshall Fields' clock in the City of Chicago ballroom where you can dance to the big-band music of the Bob Hardwick Sound....Imagine the rolling muddy Mississippi while you sit in the Riverboat Lounge listening to honky-tonk piano player Daryl Ott" and so on.
The Society's list of confirmed performers, with links to info about each artist, is as follows:
Doctors Orders
Second Nature
Southern Wind
The Bob Hardwick Sound
Daryl Ott
Strolling Strings
Comments
Rock on, Illinoians, Rock on !! Have yourselves a Ball, there's an Illinoian in our White House !! Not since President Lincoln has there been one of us, in there !! Enjoy the moment. Good luck, to our new President, may God, and all of the other deities, help him, in his many important decisions. If you don't have all of the nation behind you, at least you have 65,000,000-plus voters supporting you. So, if you don't mind, go to work and change America, so every girl and boy has a chance to be President, like you !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | November 20, 2008 9:42 AM
I'm sure the musicians listed are all wonderful, but have the organizers asked any higher-profile Illinois performers? Buddy Guy and Smashing Pumpkins come to mind, and there are many others.
Posted by: zaza | November 20, 2008 10:37 AM
actually, Ulysses S Grant was also from Illinois, so Obama will be the 3rd Illinois President
I agree -- Smashing Pumpkins, Buddy Guy, The Ides of March -- bring in the A-list
Posted by: fentoad | November 20, 2008 10:51 AM
I have to say as an Illinois musician, I'm somewhat insulted.
Why not exhibit the rich and diverse musical and cultural offerings of our home-state at a party thrown in recognition of our great state and our great candidate?
From Jazz and Blues, to Alt-Country and Indie-Rock, to Hip-Hop and House, to Classical and World Music, Chicago (and Illinois as a whole) has been a pioneer in almost every genre of music that often goes unrecognized.
I guess nothing has changed.
Posted by: Dan | November 20, 2008 11:05 AM
Ronald Reagan was born in Tampico, IL, grew up in Dixon, IL until age 18 and while president called Dixon his hometown. I think there is an arguement for him being an Illinois president.
Posted by: ReaganFan | November 20, 2008 11:12 AM
I'd like to cast votes for Wilco and Buddy Guy
Posted by: Dan from LaGrange | November 20, 2008 11:17 AM
AUTO MAKERS EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT MUST GO
New faces should be recruited who are respected for excellence in marketing, innovation, creativity, labor relations.
Automakers should cut executive perks drastically. Get rid of the planes, executive dining rooms — all the symbols that breed resentment among the hundreds of thousands who will also be sacrificing to keep the companies afloat.
Investments must be made for the future. No more focus on quarterly earnings or the kind of short-term stock appreciation that means quick riches for executives with options.
Manage with an eye on cash flow, balance sheets, long-term appreciation.
Invest in truly competitive products / innovative technologies (fuel-saving designs) — that may not arrive for years.
Federal government should invest more in basic research on new energy sources, fuel-economy technology, etc. that will ultimately benefit the automotive industry.
The American auto industry is vital to our national interest as an employer / manufacturing hub.
Fundamental restructuring the Auto INDUSTRY.
Federal government should propel newly competitive / viable automakers.
SAVE THE MIDDLE CLASS WORKERS AND NOT THE CRIMINAL GOP REPUBLICAN CEOs/TOP EXECUTIVES WHO MISMANAGED OUR GREAT AUTO INDUSTRY.
NO MORE OUTRAGEOUS EXECUTIVE SALARIES
NO MORE OUTRAGEOUS EXECUTIVE BONUSES
NO MORE OUTRAGEOUS EXECUTIVE GOLDEN PARACHUTES
NO MORE OUTRAGEOUS WALL STREET HIRED CONGRESSIONAL STOOGES
NO MORE OUTRAGEOUS EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGED LAWS
NO MORE OUTRAGEOUS EXECUTIVE WALL STREET INSIDE TRADING
NO MORE OUTRAGEOUS EXECUTIVE OFFSHSORE TAX HAVENS
NO MORE OUTRAGEOUS EXECUTIVE TAX AVOIDANCE
PROSECUTE, CONFISCATE AND LIQUIDATE THE ASSETS OF SUPER RICH GOP REPUBLICANS WHO MISMANAGED AMERICAN INDUSTRIES AND DEFRAUDED THE US TREASURY (AMERICAN MIDDLE CLASS) OF $3,000,000,000,000.
US CONSTITUTION PROFESSOR OF HARVARD LAW - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA WILL REINSTATE THE US CONSTITUTION AND RIGHTS OF THE MIDDLE CLASS
I CANNOT IMAGINE A FORMER GOOD PRESIDENT (BILL/HILLARY) SERVING HIS COUNTRY ANY BETTER THAN ACTING AS SECRETARY OF STATE. THIS COULD BECOME A GREAT SMOOTH TRANSITION TREND.
2008 PRESIDENT OBAMA – SECRETARY OF STATE CLINTON
2012 PRESIDENT OBAMA – SECRETARY OF STATE CLINTON
2016 PRESIDENT CLINTON – SECRETARY OF STATE OBAMA
OF THE PEOPLE,
BY THE PEOPLE,
FOR THE PEOPLE
BRING BACK AMERICA’S GREAT AUTO INDUSTRY AND MIDDLE CLASS WORKERS.
WOULD JAPAN ALLOW ECONOMY BOOSTERS TOYOTA, NISSAN AND HONDA TO GO BANKRUPT?
NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
HOW STUPID TO EVEN CONSIDER TURNING OUR BACKS ON OUR BROTHER CITY DETROIT.
DETROIT WON WORLD WAR II WITH THE VAST PRODUCTION OF TANKS, JEEPS, PLANES, ETC.
DETROIT MOTORCITY IS AN INTRICATE PART OF OUR NATIONAL ECONOMY.
IF AMERICA WAS A SPRINTER, THEN DETROIT WOULD BE OUR LEGS.
GET RID OF GOP REPUBLICAN OVER PRICED AMERICAN AUTO EXECUTIVES STEALING $BILLIONS FROM THE US TREASURY AND REPLACE THEM WITH INTELLIGENT EXECUTIVES MAKING NORMAL SALARIES.
RETROFIT AMERICAN MOTORS TO MASS PRODUCE LONG LASTING (15 YEARS) LOW MAINTENANCE AND HIGH FUEL EFFICIENT (50 MPG) HYBRID / ELECTRIC CARS FOR UNDER $23,000.
AMERICAN MIDDLE CLASS WORKERS COME FIRST
AMERICAN MIDDLE CLASS AREAS COME FIRST
AMERICAN MIDDLE CLASS COMES FIRST
PRODUCE AND BUY:
AMERICAN HOMES
AMERICAN CARS
AMERICAN CLEAN AGRICULTURE (STOP TOXIC FOOD)
AMERICAN TEXTILES
WE WILL TRADE, BUT WE WILL PRODUCE AND SUPPORT THE AMERICAN MIDDLE CLASS FIRST.
MY FATHER DROVE ONLY CHEVY IMPALAS
MY BROTHER DROVE A CHEVY MONTE CARLO
MY COUSIN DROVE A CHEVY MONTE CARLO
MY OTHER BROTHER DROVE A CHEVY CAMARO
MY WIFE AND I WILL BUY A CHEVY MALIBU HYBRID WITH A 10 YEARS WARRANTY
Posted by: GOP REPUBLICAN FRAUD AGAINST AMERICA | November 20, 2008 11:29 AM
I agree with Mr. GOP etc..
And I agree with Don Fitz.
But you know what?
A lavish Illinois celebratory ball will NOT PLAY EVEN IN PEORIA.
I'm a huge Obama supporter.
But if we party hardy right now, it will be a huge black eye.
WE'RE TORTURING PEOPLE!
http://www.thenation.com/doc
/20081201/gitmo_video
WE'RE KILLING INNOCENT CIVILIANS IN THIS UNHOLY WAR!
WE'RE NOT TAKING CARE OF OUR VETERANS!
But we're bailing out the execs who KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR!
Posted by: Beans and Weanies, Kids | November 20, 2008 11:59 AM
You gotta love the completely unedited, fact-check free nature of blogs: It's KANYE, not KAYNE. And Madrigal's, the "shuttered all-male-strip club" was not in Boystown, but Andersonville.
Posted by: bravophile | November 20, 2008 12:36 PM
Actuaaly, Grant was born in Ohio.
Posted by: Buckeye | November 20, 2008 1:02 PM
Jennifer Hudson would be perfect
Posted by: Kim | November 20, 2008 1:37 PM
"Actuaaly, Grant was born in Ohio.
Posted by: Buckeye"
If that's the standard, Lincoln was born in Ohio and Obama in Hawaii. So the only Illinois President would be Reagan, although he was elected as a California resident.
I'm still waiting for the "Land of Obama" signs to be erected at the border, and the increase in license plate fees to put a hologram picture of O and that slogan on the license plates.
Posted by: jack | November 20, 2008 2:29 PM
I heard that Wilco is playing at the DC inaugural.
Posted by: ch | November 20, 2008 2:41 PM
Wow - I could see how Common, Kanye West, and Smashing Pumpkins might be "too big" of a draw - but not even REO Speedwagon (Roll with the Changes) or Cheap Trick? Mavis Staples? Styx?
Posted by: MB | November 20, 2008 2:48 PM
Only one US President was born and raised and attended college in Illinois- Ronald W Reagan! His name is often out of the mix when people mention Presidents from Illinois. Obama has the opportunity to join the ranks of Reagan and Lincoln and become one of the greatest US Presidents that this nation has ever seen.
Posted by: IllinoisProud | November 20, 2008 2:48 PM
I'll cast my vote for the Alkaline Trio!
Posted by: Greg | November 20, 2008 2:59 PM
My nominations for "A" list entertainers. Franz Benteler and His Royal Strings, Corky Siegal, and Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater.
Posted by: Brad Nailer | November 20, 2008 3:10 PM
I have to agree with Dan. As a Chicago musician I was completely disappointed to see that all of the musicians selected are from the Washington D.C. area.
What I don't get is why they don't bring in musicians from Illinois for the Illinois Inaugural Ball.
My band has played for many Illinois and US dignitaries and for the Al Gore (not so) victory party and it is very upsetting to see that the will only be celebrating Illinois in spirit...not in actual presence.
Posted by: Snowball12 | November 20, 2008 3:31 PM
Another one agreeing with Dan and Snowball. I'm a Chicago musician and when I was in a band, venues here hired out-of-towners. But try and get hired in, say, Milwaukee, and then it was all, "Oh, we like to hire our local people."
Illinois is not a good state to be a musician from. Maybe we should all invent New York or DC addresses to get gigs.
Posted by: Alec the Smart | November 20, 2008 4:03 PM
i don't get it... the big band is from NEW YORK? Doesnt either the President-Elect or the DNC believe there are any appropriately worthy musicians from Illinois? Do I still have time to change my vote to "none of the above"?
Posted by: Jon McGahan | November 20, 2008 4:19 PM
Of course Reagan is an Illinois President. He was born here and grew up here. He only worked in California.
Posted by: Dan | November 20, 2008 4:23 PM
Uuuuhh...the Inaugural balls are on the 20th - after the swearing in. Things like the Illinois State Gala are OTHER fun parties that happen in the days before the swearing in. But, the inaugural balls are for seeing the President up and close - not the President elect!
Posted by: DooDad | November 20, 2008 5:49 PM
Ah! Come on folks! You'll know that Honest Abe was born in Kentucky, not Ohio!? You knew that, didn't you?
Posted by: joe wood | November 20, 2008 7:58 PM
Isn't a million dollars kind of steep for a party? Couldn't we use that money for something a little more beneficial to society/the city? I work in the event industry and must say that that's one heck of a large party budget. Hope it's a good time.
Posted by: JohnE B | November 20, 2008 8:08 PM
REO, Styx and Cheap Trick! The holy trinity of Illinois rock!
Posted by: Jim Anchower | November 20, 2008 8:47 PM
The two biggest names in Chicago music, Buddy Guy and Mavis Staples. Especially Staples since she was part of the Freedom Movement led by Dr. King. Her band, The Staples Singers performed at his rallies.
Posted by: Walker | November 20, 2008 9:08 PM
Please allow this historical event to have all the bang that it and the first family deserve. No other president has been criticized for a fancy gala. Wonder why anyone would want to short change the Obama family???????
Posted by: cheryl | November 20, 2008 9:13 PM
Uh, Madrigals in Andersonville closed down a few years ago. Silly, silly writer. Don't you know anything about Chicago gay strip clubs?
Posted by: Moshe Adams | November 20, 2008 10:32 PM
She is definitely crooked
Posted by: John C | November 20, 2008 11:28 PM
LIZ PHAIR!!!!
Posted by: jodi | November 20, 2008 11:38 PM
The concept of "A" List is a media created fantasy. Everyone's crap stinks...never ever forget that!!!
Posted by: gposner | November 21, 2008 12:03 AM
HERE’S A GREAT JAZZY SONG FOR THE OBAMA’S INAUGURAL BALL!
“GETTIN' READY"
When you hear it, you’ll be tapping your feet!
You'll be back in a happy-era.
You'll be singing along.
You'll be part of...
the dream.
For your viewing pleasure:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tia253AMjHA
Look for "Gettin' Ready" on you tube.
Pass it along and enjoy!
Posted by: Deborah Webbe | November 23, 2008 8:47 PM
HERE’S A GREAT JAZZY SONG FOR THE OBAMA’S INAUGURAL BALL!
“GETTIN' READY"
When you hear it, you’ll be tapping your feet!
You'll be back in a happy-era.
You'll be singing along.
You'll be part of...
the dream.
For your viewing pleasure:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tia253AMjHA
Look for "Gettin' Ready" on you tube.
Pass it along and enjoy!
Posted by: Deborah Webbe | November 23, 2008 10:21 PM
Actually Linclon was born in Kentucky and lived in Indiana before moving to Illinois
Posted by: jd | November 24, 2008 1:38 AM
I just want to make a correction about where the people who buy the $300 tickets will party. This article states that they will be in an ancillary ballroom, but that is not accurate according to the Illinois State Society website, which states that "Ticket sales for the Gala Reception, Dinner, and Ball are $500 per person. Holders of these tickets will be seated in the ancillary ballroom as the main ballroom is sold out. There will be dinner entertainment and live feeds to the main ballroom." The website also states that "The second half of the evening is open to both our Gala Reception and Dinner guests as well as to the others who purchased tickets only for the Gala Ball." This means that the $300 tickets do not include the dinner gala, therefore there will be no need to seat the purchasers of those tickets in an ancillary ballroom. Here is the website in case anyone wants to read it for him/herself to make sure to get the facts right: http://illinoisstatesociety.com/Gala2009.htm. Thanks!
-Shana
Posted by: Shana | November 26, 2008 1:50 PM
The ballroom should be in Chicago as well, are they going to have salsa, merengue and bachata ?
Posted by: Fengshuilife | December 5, 2008 12:21 PM
I am a trumpet player in one of the bands performing for the Illinois Gala, and while I see where the musicians from the Chicago area are coming from, all I can say is...a gig is a gig, and I was happy to take this one. It just so happened that one of the talent agencies that was chosen to book the event has worked with my band for years. They would not have booked us for such a high profile gig if they didn't think we could handle it. I can assure you that we are taking this gig very seriously and will put on a great show.
Jason - in your 2nd paragraph, you use the words "professional acts". Are you implying that my band and the others already booked are not "professionals"?
Posted by: Nick | December 9, 2008 10:52 PM
I would love to attend this ball, but I do not know anyone connected with it. But, I am going to the Green Inaugural Ball. So I am happy : )
Posted by: Luke Havlicek | January 5, 2009 9:37 PM
There are so many wonderful events going on. And a lot of cool things being made for Obama. One of the most unique memorabilia products to give away to your guests is http://ObamaInABottle.com Now that is different! Looks like fun. Their email is obamainabottle@gmail.com
I want to get one at the ball I am going to.
Posted by: Obama In A Bottle | January 6, 2009 6:06 AM
I went to the gala last night... there was NOBama! There was Roland Burris, Dick Durbin, George Clinton, and Bill Murray in attendance. THAT'S IT! There were a bunch of wedding bands; it was in the sweaty basement of the Rennaisance Hotel, it was oversold to a bunch of nobodies (including me lol). $1 million budget? I estimated ticket sales were around $1.5 million! Who is pocketing the rest? A $mill is nothing considering the thousands of people there taking a few sips from a martini and then leaving it behind to grab a slice of pizza. I was disappointed to say the least!
Posted by: Dave78DC | January 20, 2009 10:34 AM
i hope obama does good
Posted by: jacob | January 28, 2009 1:16 PM
Obama WILL do good, im pretty confident
Posted by: elizabeth | March 26, 2009 5:52 PM