Carrie Underwood set to perform ‘America the Beautiful’ at swearing-in ceremony
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President-elect Donald Trump is set to be sworn in on Jan. 20 — and unlike his first inauguration in 2017, which reportedly struggled to recruit high-profile performers, several well-known performers will participate in this year’s inaugural events.
“The Trump Vance Inaugural Committee is proud to announce that some of our country’s most iconic (musicians) will participate in the inaugural celebrations,” co-chairs Steve Witkoff and Kelly Loeffler said in a statement provided to NPR. “This monumental weekend will commemorate President Trump’s historic victory and 60th presidential inauguration with a celebration of music, unity and patriotism, ushering in America’s new golden age.”
Below is a list of artists scheduled to perform at the inaugural events, not including a surprise musical guest who will appear at the Liberty Ball.
Carrie Underwood
Star of the country Carrie Underwoodwho launched his career by winning American idol twenty years ago, was scheduled to perform “America the Beautiful” at the inauguration ceremony.
“I love our country and am honored to have been invited to sing at the inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,” Underwood said in a statement provided to NPR. “I am honored to answer this call at a time when we must all come together in a spirit of unity and look to the future.”
Christophe Macchio
Classical tenor Christopher Macchio will perform the national anthem during the inauguration ceremony. In a video posted on his YouTube page, Macchio said he first met Trump when Elton John dropped out of a New Year’s Eve performance at Mar-a-Lago and Macchio was hired to replace him.
Lee Greenwood
Lee Greenwood, whose song “IOU” won 1984 Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance, will perform at the inauguration ceremony and the Make America Great Again Victory Rally. Greenwood received five additional Grammy nominations over the years and was featured extensively at last summer’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
“I am humbled and honored to be asked to perform for our 47th President Donald J. Trump at his inaugural events,” Greenwood said in a statement provided to NPR. “The President has been a friend to (my wife) Kim (Payne) and I for many years and this is one of the most historic moments of our lives. I look forward to celebrating this special day with proud Americans from all over the world.”
Kid Rock (right) shakes hands with President Donald Trump after signing the Hatch-Goodlatte Music Modernization Act in 2018.
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Rock Child
Kid Rock, who made himself heard support of Trump since his first term and who also performed at the Republican National Convention, is expected to take the stage at the Make America Great Again Victory Rally. Last summer, the Michigan singer-songwriter headlined the Rock the Country touring festival, which famous a fusion of MAGA politics and country music.
The people of the village
The Village People disco group, led by surviving original member Victor Willis, will perform at two events: the Make America Great Again Victory Rally and the Liberty Ball. The group’s 1978 hit song, “YMCA,” was a staple of Trump’s campaign rallies, even leading to a viraldance. In a Facebook jobWillis, who wrote the song’s lyrics, wrote that the song’s use in the campaign greatly increased its popularity, including pushing it to the top of the charts. Billboard digital dance song sales chart.
Willis went on to write that although Trump’s use of “YMCA” sparked controversy because the song had been widely adopted as an unofficial gay anthem, it is “a false assumption” that the song intentionally carries a queer subtext. In light of the announcement that Village People would participate in the presidential inauguration, Willis once again turned to Facebook.
“We know this won’t please some of you, but we believe music should be played without regard to politics,” a statement read. statement published on the official pages of Willis and the group. “Our YMCA song is a global anthem that will hopefully help bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign in which our favorite candidate lost. Therefore, we believe now is the time to bring the country together with music, which is why VILLAGE PEOPLE will be performing at various events in support of Donald J. Trump’s inauguration in 2025.”
Billy Ray Cyrus
Billy Ray Cyrus, who common his support for Trump on the campaign trail, will perform at the Make America Great Again victory rally. The “Achy Breaky Heart” singer recently won two 2020 Grammys for her feature on a remix of Lil Nas X’s crossover country hit, “Old Town Road.” His daughter, pop star Miley Cyrus, openly criticized Asset.
Liberty University Praise Choir
LU Praise is a gospel choir “dedicated to glorifying God through testimony, song and worship,” according to Liberty University. website. The group will perform at the Make America Great Again Victory Rally.
Jason Aldean will perform at the Liberty Ball.
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Jason Aldean
Country singer-songwriter Jason Aldean, who introduced Trump, during a campaign rally in Georgia, will perform at the Liberty Ball. After Trump’s assassination attempt in Pennsylvania last summer, Aldean dedicated a performance of his song “Try That in a Small Town” to then-candidate during a tour. On Election Day, he reaffirmed his support for Trump on Instagram.
“In recent years, we have received a lot of criticism from the entertainment industry and media for our support of @realdonaldtrump,” wrote Aldean. “As an American father and citizen, I want to see our country return to the values and principles that made us great in the first place.”
Rascal Flatts
Nashville country trio Rascal Flatts — who found commercial success with songs like “What Hurts the Most,” “Prayin’ for Daylight” and a cover of Tom Cochrane’s “Life is a Highway” — will perform at Commander in Chief Ball. After a hiatus, the band recently reunited and announced their 2025 Life is a Highway tour.
Parker McCollum
Country singer Parker McCollum, whose #1 songs on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart includes “Burn It Down” and “Pretty Heart,” which will perform at the Commander in Chief Ball.
Gavin DeGraw
Gavin DeGrawthe singer-songwriter who broke onto the pop charts with his 2003 album Tankwill perform at the Starlight Ball. His song “I Don’t Want to Be”, which gained popularity as the theme song for the CW teen drama A tree hillwas certified platinum in the United States
