by Mark Silva
The stars will come out in force Sunday afternoon for a pre-inaugural concert at the Lincoln Memorial: Beyonce, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Herbie Hancock, John Mellencamp, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, Stevie Wonder and more.
The festival - "We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial" - will be open free to some one-million people who just might turn out on a National Mall which, for the moment, looks more like a porta-potty storage yard on a field stretching from the Lincoln to the Capitol in preparation for Obama's inauguration.
The show also will be presented by HBO at 7 pm EST Sunday.
It's not only singers and musicians who will turn out: Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp, Usher, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, will.i.am and Stevie Wonder.
Spiritual leaders and performers will read historical passages at a celebration at the memorial where the late Rev. Martin Luther King delivered his "I Have a Dream'' 40 years ago: Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington. Rev. Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Episcopal Bishop, will deliver the invocation.
The performers are conspiring on a program of music that expresses optimism and hope, according to Michael Stevens, co-producer.
Comments
I read Rev. Gene Robinson,"the first openly gay Episcopal Bishop," left his wife and children for his boyfriend.
Really, how low can one go?
Another great pick by Obama!
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | January 14, 2009 10:57 AM
Oh, Paulo--focus on what's important--like making obama PROSECUTE the REINVESTIGATE 9/11 and all the other criminal deeds done by the bushies cheneys and Ricies. And Rovies. And Rumsfelds, etc..
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=13086
Posted by: Not ready to make nice despite the well paid celebs | January 14, 2009 11:49 AM
I believe you are intentionally distorting the story Paulo; he didn't abandon the family and is still on frieindly terms with the ex-wife.
Posted by: rupert | January 14, 2009 1:27 PM
Obama believes in tolerance and diversity. I can only assume from reading Paulo's post, that Paulo does not. Who is the one going so low?
Posted by: Janstress | January 14, 2009 1:29 PM
Hm, I would think this would be on network TV, too, but maybe that's just the actual inauguration.
Posted by: Obama Shirts | January 14, 2009 4:18 PM
I read Rev. Gene Robinson,"the first openly gay Episcopal Bishop," left his wife and children for his boyfriend.
Really, how low can one go?
Another great pick by Obama!
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | January 14, 2009 10:57 AM
Well, you could leave your children and your disabled wife for a pretty young heiress.
Posted by: John Sidney | January 14, 2009 5:29 PM
Hi, I read your info. about all the musicians to perform for this great concert on Sunday. I think they should also include our New Orleans pianoman and songwriting entertainer, a true Southern Gentleman, Armand St. Martin who has written a beautiful song that captures Katrina in "Orleans Lullaby" (about how we all couldn't sleep after Katrina and about how our lives have been changed forever) which is on St. Martin's new CD, Katrina Anthem on Patty Lee Records. Check it out.
myspace.com/armandstmartin or PattyLeeRecords.com
Posted by: Patty Lee | January 17, 2009 2:39 AM