The White House Goes Country

Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

The White House's East Room was turned into -- in the words of President Barack Obama -- "a bona fide country music hall" Monday night (Nov. 21). Lauren Alaina, Dierks Bentley,Alison Krauss, Kris Kristofferson, Lyle Lovett, Darius Rucker, James Taylor and the Band Perry were all invited to sing as part of the 'In Performance at the White House' series.


"Over the past five years, I've had the extraordinary opportunity to travel all across America," said President Obama before introducing the night's performers (quote viaPolitico). "I've hopped on planes to big cities. I've ridden buses through small towns. And along the way, I've gained an appreciation for just how much country music means to so many Americans.


"Country music is all about life in America," he continued. "It's about storytelling -- giving voice to the emotions of everyday life. Country music can be about love. It can be about heartache. It can sing sad times, or it can yell out that I'm just here having a good time. And it can remind us, especially when lots of our friends and neighbors are going through tough times, of what we've got to fight for and who we have to be. It reminds us that this is America. This is the place where you can make it if you try."

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