Presidential inaugurations are a revered tradition in which the next President of the United States is formally sworn into office. On January 20th, Donald Trump will take the oath as the 47th president. Trump, who also served from 2017 to 2021, is only the second president in the nation’s history to have served two non-consecutive terms.
It was just announced that Carrie Underwood will perform during the ceremony, an honor that a select few artists have had before her. She will sing the beloved patriotic tune “America The Beautiful.”
NEWS:@carrieunderwood performing at Donald Trump’s inauguration pic.twitter.com/pek9EdBwkm
— Matthew Foldi (@MatthewFoldi) January 13, 2025
As we near the inauguration, take a look back at past country music artists who have performed at the historic gatherings.
Garth Brooks
Garth Brooks has been a featured performer for two presidential inaugurations. Most recently, he sang an a cappella version of the hymn “Amazing Grace” during the inauguration of Joe Biden in 2021.
Additionally, Brooks performed “The River” during Bill Clinton’s first inauguration in 1993.
Lee Greenwood
On the eve of his first inauguration in 2017, Donald Trump held a “Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration.” During the event, Grammy-award-winning artist Lee Greenwood was welcomed to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial by the Frontmen of Country, comprised of Little Texas’ Tim Rushlow, Restless Heart’s Larry Stewart, and Diamond Rio’s Marty Roe.
Together, they passionately performed Greenwood’s “God Bless The U.S.A.” as the crowd sang along. This was the fourth time in his career that Greenwood performed in celebration of a new administration. He also sang at the presidential inaugurations of Ronald Reagan (1981), George H.W. Bush (1989), and George W. Bush (2001).
Toby Keith
Toby Keith was also among the talented artists who performed at the “Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration” in 2017. Known for his unapologetic anthems celebrating the American spirit, the late musician is considered one of the most patriotic artists in country music.
Keith’s set included “American Soldier,” “Made In America,” “Beer For My Horses,” and “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue.”
Brad Paisley
Brad Paisley performed during the Inaugural Ball for Barack Obama in 2013. Before his high-energy delivery of “American Saturday Night,” he joked:
“This reminds me of when I was president of the 4-H club… it’s kind of the same.”
Additional noteworthy inaugural performances
Few opportunities can rival the prestige of being invited to perform at the White House or one of Washington D.C.’s historic landmarks. However, country music has often been included in presidential inaugurations for its thematic connection to American values.
The Oak Ridge Boys sang “Amazing Grace” during “The Presidential Inaugural Gala” the night before George H. W. Bush was sworn in as president in 1989.
Brooks & Dunn performed during George W. Bush’s first inauguration in 2001, and Kenny Chesney appeared during “A Celebration of Freedom” for the president’s second inauguration in 2005.
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