Obama pays tribute to country music

By Ken Thomas

Associated Press

Published: Monday, Nov. 21 2011 5:56 p.m. MST

View 3 photos »

From left, Lyle Lovett, and Darius Rucker, perform during an interactive student workshop on the history of Country music hosted by first lady Michelle Obama, Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, in the State Dinning Room of the White House in Washington.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais, Associated Press

Summary

President Barack Obama is turning the White House into a country music hall, inviting an array of country stars to perform in the East Room.

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is turning the White House into a country music hall, inviting an array of country stars to perform in the East Room.

The White House is paying tribute to country music, with performances by Dierks Bentley, Alison Krauss, Lyle Lovett, Kris Kristofferson, Darius Rucker, James Taylor and others.

Obama says he's been on the road so much lately that Johnny Cash "was really singing our song when he sang, 'I've been everywhere, man.'"

The concert is part of a White House music series that has celebrated jazz, country, classical, Motown and Latin music.

"Country Music: In Performance at the White House," will be broadcast on Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST on PBS stations.

Comments