Hoedown at the White House

Since I was awake very early this morning I happened to catch a new blurb on CNN. it was President Obama's schedule for the upcoming week. I was not paying too much attention until the Tuesday schedule was announced. It was just a few words, but it caught my attention - Country music at the White House.

Being a country music fan I thought I heard incorrectly. My husband and I listen to country music stations, and he reads Country Weekly Magazine, and watches the Opry on TV - he had not heard about it. Some quick research and now I know, and I'll share it with you.

The White House has been having a series of musical events they are calling The White House Music Series, which was introduced by First Lady Michelle Obama. They have already featured jazz at a Jazz Master Class. The series will have musicians of all ages. Interaction between musicians and children is meant to educate and enlighten the children about all types of music. The Jazz event was very successful. The White House is looking forward to the next music event, Country Music and a Classical event will be held in the fall.

Next on the agenda will be this Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - Country Music. The White House should be into some heavy duty toe-tappin' with the likes of country music star Brad Paisley along with Alison Krauss and Union Station. Tuesday will be an all day event with workshops for 120 students from O.W. Smith school in Nashville, along with students from other schools across the country. Students will learn about song writing, as well as country music traditions. The day will end with a special performance for the President and Mrs. Obama, along with White House staff and members of Congress.

To give credit where credit is due, the Country Music Celebration is presented with assistance from The Country Music Association and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. It is being produced by the Grand Ole Opry and Great American Country Television.

Country Music has been a part of Washington festivities and activities for years. East Tennessee's own Kenny Chesney sang the National Anthem for a t-ball game on the White House lawn a year ago. Lee Greenwood was a guest of George H.W. Bush for a bbq on the White House lawn. Don't forget Willie Nelson who smoked a little pot on the White House roof when he visited during Jimmy Carter's administration.

So if you happen to be near the White House on Tuesday and get an urge to put on cowboy boots and a hat and all of a sudden you feel like doing some line dancing, don't be surprised! Country Music should be oozing through the portico during the Country Music Segment of the White House Music Series.

Sources:
GACTV.com
PositivelyBarack.com