According to Richard Leiby and DeNeen L. Brown of the Washington Post, “the free mega-concert signaled a departure from the Bush administration’s frequent efforts to distance itself from Hollywood.” Which makes it sound like Jamie Foxx, Stevie Wonder, Tom Hanks, Jack Black, Usher, Bruce Springsteen, U2, and Jon Bon Jovi (to name just a few) would have loved to perform in 2005’s inauguration if only Bush hadn’t rebuffed them. Or maybe Leiby and Brown simply meant the reverse. I’m guessing a McCain inauguration concert would have consisted of the Charlie Daniels Band, Blues Traveler, Hootie & the Blowfish, KC & the Sunshine Band, and Lee Greenwood. Maybe Chaka Khan if she isn’t busy. P.S. Did I miss opera singer Denyce Graves at the concert? Or is she performing today? Or is the extremely talented and beautiful African-American soprano from D.C. being punished for singing at Bush’s second inaugural?
