Country stars croon at the White House

I had no idea this was happening. I wonder where was the scrutiny of these performers as it was a couple of months back surrounding Common and Jill Scott. I have to admit I wish there had been more 'ole school' country artist. Artists like, The Oakridge Boys, Alabama, Shania and the like. Oh well, I am sure that the performers enjoyed themselves.

As President Obama noted in his remarks, Hootie was in the house Monday evening for “Country Music: In Performance at the White House.”

Hootie, known these days as country star Darius Rucker, was joined by White House regular James Taylor, Lyle Lovett, Kris Kristofferson, Mickey, “Idol”’s Lauren Alaina, The Band Perry, Dierks Bentley and Alison Krauss for an evening of song.

The seventh in the Obama administration’s series of White House musical evenings dedicated to a particular genre, Monday’s event celebrated the history of country.

According to a release from the White House, the president said, “It is a proud history that runs from barn stomping to the great honky tonks to the big stage to the GRAMMYs.” He also quoted country star Brad Paisley, saying, “It’s about storytelling – giving voice to the emotions of everyday life. Brad Paisley put it simply: ‘This is real, this is your life in a song. This is country music.’”

Before the evening performance at the White House, scheduled for broadcast Wednesday on PBS, the first lady hosted a country music workshop for local students with Kristofferson, Lovett and Rucker.

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