On Friday, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States, and like every other before him, Trump will hold a post-inaugural celebration with musicians spanning many genres. Here’s a preview of some of the acts headlining his big day.
Toby Keith
The undisputed biggest star of the “Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration,” Toby Keith has sold over 40 million albums in his nearly 25-year career. Keith is a longtime supporter of the U.S. military, making numerous trips since 2002 to the Middle East to perform for the men and women serving the nation. He’ll likely perform some of his most popular hits, including “Courtesy of The Red, White and Blue (The Angry American),” “Beer for My Horses” and “As Good As I Once Was.”
3 Doors Down
Although they peaked in the early 2000s, 3 Doors Down still stands as a nostalgia trip for some of their singles, especially those from their debut album The Better Life. Although the band’s post-grunge/hard-rock sound may not pair perfectly with a presidential inauguration, their work has always been well-produced, and the band carries a close and dedicated following.
The Piano Guys
The Piano Guys gained fame on YouTube for their piano and cello renditions of some of the most popular songs in music — their top five videos each have over 50 million views. Their last five albums have all reached No. 1 on the Billboard Classical Albums chart, but they’re known for their covers more than anything else.
Sam Moore
Known for his partnership with Dave Prater in the soul and R&B duo Sam & Dave, Sam Moore is the most historic name in the inauguration lineup. His work with Prater creating hits like “Hold On, I’m Comin’” and “Soul Man” earned him a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Although Moore is over 80 years old, he is still a joy to watch perform.
Lee Greenwood
He’s not exactly a one-hit wonder, but the only song most people know Lee Greenwood for is his patriotic anthem “God Bless the USA,” making him a perfect choice to perform at the inauguration of the president. Surprisingly, Greenwood was also nominated to serve on the National Council on the Arts by George W. Bush and served on the committee until he left twelve years later in 2014.
Travis Greene
One of the younger performers at Trump’s inaugural, Travis Greene is an American gospel musician and pastor since 2007. His two studio albums stand out as some of the strongest gospel has to offer, with his most recent LP The Hill reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums charts. After also being named Billboard’s #1 Gospel Airplay Artist of 2016, Greene is arguably at the strongest he has ever been.
Jackie Evancho
Evancho isn’t just performing at Donald Trump’s inauguration — she’s the only one of these performers that will be prominently featured front and center as she sings “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The 16-year old is an American classical crossover singer, gaining worldwide fame after finishing second place in the fifth season of “America’s Got Talent”. Evancho’s performance will likely take liberties, moving away from traditional renditions of the song to incorporate her distinct crossover style.
