On Wednesday, the White House has released the short list of singers who will participate in President Barack Obama’s second inaugural ceremony in Washington, D.C. According to the release, President Obama participated in choosing the singers who will perform for the historic event to take place on Jan. 21, 2013 in the nation’s capital as the president officially begins his second term in office.
The Presidential Inauguration Committee has announced that the honored singers are Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson, and James Taylor. Beyonce will sing the National Anthem, Kelly Clarkson will perform “My Country Tis of Thee”, and James Taylor will perform “America the Beautiful”.
Beyonce, officially named Beyonce Giselle Knowles-Carter, 32, is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, actress and showgirl from Houston, Texas, who was previously the lead singer of a girl singing group called Destiny’s Child.
Kelly Clarkson of Fort Worth, Texas, fully named Kelly Brianne Clarkson, 32, is an American singer and songwriter with some acting experience in her past. She became famous after a successful, winning appearance on the television program “American Idol” in 2002.
James Taylor of Boston, Massachusetts, fully named James Vernon Taylor, 64, is an American singer and songwriter who plays guitar. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 and is a five-time Grammy Award winner whose first hit song was “Fire and Rain” in 1970 followed by the Carole King composition “You’ve Got a Friend” in 1971.
All three artists have been strong public supporters of President Barack Obama.