Brittany Howard and her Grammy Award-winning band, Alabama Shakes, were amongst the crew of performers at the event, honoring Ray Charles in, quite literally, an honorable way.
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They are some of the high-profile artists set to perform at the White House Wednesday evening. If you miss out on the fun or just want to re-live the performances, you can catch it again when PBS airs the program Friday at 9 p.m. EST.
The singer grew up in the segregated south and lost his eyesight as a child, but still managed to become a musical legend. But, the president said, Charles had two things working in his favor: a strong mother and music.
“Whatever genre of music he was playing, there was no mistaking his singular sound: that virtuoso piano playing that matched that one-of-a-kind voice”, Obama said at the White House.
Last night, after a long day that included meeting with the King of Jordan, President Obama unwound by sitting front row for “In Performance at the White House“, an annual concert hosted by the first couple, this time celebrating the music of the late Ray Charles.
This will be the last “In Performance” event the Obamas will host during his administration. Also of note, Usher gets his turn in the spotlight around 1:52:30 for “Georgia on My Mind”, Smollett does “I’ve Got a Woman” at 2:07:30, and Bridges delivers “Lonely Avenue” at 2:21:00.
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Artists including Usher, Demi Lovato, Anthony Hamilton and Andra Day took to the stage to pay their tribute to the “late, great” star.
