We Are One

The inauguration festivities kicked off today with a concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.  The theme was about change and past inagurals.  It incorporated music that played a part in President Obama's campaign and America culture.  HBO aired it for free on cable and satellite systems.  NPR streamed the audio. 

The concert was full of many great performances by many different genres; rock, pop, hip-hop, country.  It kicked off with Bruce Springsteen performing The Rising with a choir.  It was great as most of the rest of the show.  Actors bridged the performances with tales of past inagurations and the words of former presidents and important figures in the US Civil Rights movement.

The rest of the performers played songs that made it a very moving afternoon.

• Bruce - The Rising
• Mary J. Blige - Lean On Me
• Bon Jovi and Bettye LaVette - A Change Is Gonna Come
• James Taylor, John Legend and Jennifer Nettles - Shower the People
• John Mellencamp - Pink Houses
• Josh Groban and Heather Headley - My Country, 'tis of Thee
• Will.i.am, Herbie Hancock and Sheryl Crow - One Love
• U.S. Naval Academy Glee Club and Renee Fleming - You'll Never Walk Alone
• Garth Brooks - American Pie / Shout
• Usher, Shakira and Stevie Wonder - Higher Ground
• U2 - Pride (In The Name of Love) / City of Blinding Lights
• Bruce and Pete Seeger - This Land is Your Land
• Beyonce - America the Beautiful

 In addition to the music, the President and Vice-President Elect addressed the crowd.  Joe Biden talked as though he was in a huge crowd and forgot he had a microphone.  As he returned to his seat, it appeared that his wife and the President Elect gave him some ribbing.

As I said earlier, it was a very emotional program and a fitting kick off to a great week in this country's history.