Title:
USA Presidential Inaugural Opening Ceremonies
Date of transmission: Thursday
18 January 2001
Channel: CSPAN-2
Host: Larry King (Master of
Ceremonies)
Charlotte's role in programme:
Featured Performer
Church
at Bush Inaguration
BBC |
Wales
Welsh teenage soprano Charlotte Church was one of the star performers lining up to entertain US George W. Bush at his inauguration celebration.
It is the second time that the Cardiff-born schoolgirl has been singled out to perform by an American president.
The 15-year-old star performed Amazing Grace for Bill Clinton in June 1999, and later enjoyed tea at the White House.
Other VIP audiences have included the Queen, the Pope, Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Prince of Wales.
Church's songs have become huge hits in the States, and the American people have taken her to their hearts.
Her album Voice Of An Angel has sold two million copies worldwide and has made her the youngest ever solo artist to enter the American top 30 album chart.
She was signed by Sony in 1997 after she was spotted on a TV talent show.
Her appearance at the presidential show on Thursday helped kick off the festivities leading up to Mr Bush's inauguration on Saturday.
Mr Bush clearly enjoyed every minute of the event, smiling, flashing a thumbs up sign at entertainer Wayne Newton and promising to give the country "a fresh start."
Before laying claim to the presidency this weekend, Bush and his wife, Laura, as well as vice president-elect Dick Cheney and his wife, Lynne, mixed with celebrities including Latin American singer Ricky Martin.
There had been rumours that Irish rock star Van Morrison had been tipped to perform, but he issued an emphatic denial that he would be taking part - as did left-wing comic Ben Elton.
Composer Andrew Lloyd-Webber played one of the songs from his hit musical set in Northern Ireland, The Beautiful Game.
Bush Attending Celebratory Show
By BRIGITTE GREENBERG, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - Festivities leading up to George W. Bush's inauguration began Thursday with a star-studded show at the Lincoln Memorial.
Before laying claim to the presidency this weekend, Bush attended the celebratory show with his wife, Laura, as well as Vice President-elect Dick Cheney
and his wife, Lynne. A smiling Bush saluted the audience before taking his seat off to the side of the stage.
Organizers had anticipated that 75,000 people would attend, but the cold and intermittently rainy weather apparently kept many away. Bush and other members of the incoming administration sat under a canopy that protected them from the elements.
Bush wasn't taking center stage until late in the program, leaving Latin singer Ricky Martin as the headliner for much of the show set on a stage built on the memorial's steps. The 21/2-hour program featured CNN talk show host Larry King as master of ceremonies.
Later in the evening, Bush and Cheney were appearing at three candlelight dinners for Republican supporters who could afford the $2,500 per ticket price. A table cost $25,000.
On Friday, Laura Bush was to make her Washington debut at a celebration for America's authors. The former librarian was to fete best-selling writers Stephen Ambrose and Mary Higgins Clark, among others. Shortly thereafter, Cheney was hosting a salute to the nation's veterans. The president-elect was to attend both.
Later that evening, several inaugural galas were scheduled, including the Texas Black Tie & Boots Ball, where Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman, actors Chuck Norris, Robert Duvall and others were celebrating the presidential victory of Texas' governor. Bush's Hispanic supporters also were holding a special ball in his honor.
The focus of all the hoopla, of course, was Bush's swearing in at the Capitol at noon Saturday. About 500,000 people were expected to attend, including 1,000 dignitaries, among them members of Congress, the Supreme Court and the diplomatic corps. The inaugural parade, with 37 marching bands from high schools and colleges nationwide, plus six military bands, was to follow. Later that night, celebrating Republicans were to dance into the wee hours at one of eight official balls and many other parties.
On Sunday, as president of the United States, Bush was to open the White House doors to public tours.
The entire celebration opened Thursday with a show that included a parachute drop by six paratroopers onto the mall and a military flyover. Among those expected to speak during the show were Secretary of State-designee Colin Powell, Cheney, and Bush nephew George P. Bush. Boxing legend Muhammad Ali was making an appearance.
Christian singer Sandi Patty performed the national anthem. Other performers appearing were Martin, who was to sing ``Cup of Life,'' country music duos Brooks & Dunn and Lorrie Morgan with Sammy Kershaw, opera singer Charlotte Church, Latin singer Jon Secada, entertainer Wayne Newton and Radio City Music Hall's Rockettes.
British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber was performing with the All Girls National Jazz Choir and singer Jessica Simpson. The program finale was a 10-minute fireworks show launched from five sites around the mall.
City officials anticipated the program would be preceded and followed by a massive traffic jam, given its start time of 3:30 p.m. Police closed down the nearby Memorial Bridge for security reasons, and several streets were closed down as well. The federal government encouraged 300,000 employees to take the day off to ease traffic congestion.
Presidential Inaugural Committee Releases Opening Celebration Details
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The Presidential Inaugural Committee and Jeanne Johnson Phillips, Executive Director, today announced the program for the Inaugural's Opening Celebration, which is expected to draw more than 75,000 people to the Lincoln Memorial on Thursday, January 18.
``The 54th Presidential Inaugural Opening Celebration will officially begin the celebrations for the 43rd President of the United States,'' Jeanne Johnson Phillips said. ``We invite all Americans to participate in the opening event of Celebrating America's Spirit Together.
``This celebration reflects President-elect George W. Bush's commitment to bringing America together,'' Phillips continued. ``Through music, songs and spoken words, Americans will celebrate in the rich culture and history of America.''
The awards show-style program, directed by award-winning producer and director George Schlatter, will be a unifying celebration bringing together entertainment to appeal to people of all ages and backgrounds.
A vast group of celebrity hosts and performers will join individual and group performers from across the nation for a two-and-a-half hour program to be conducted on a 90' x 50' stage on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
The outdoor celebration will begin at 3:30 p.m. and conclude around 6:00 p.m. Gates open to the public at 12:00 noon Eastern at one of five entrances: two on Constitution Ave. (disabled entrance at Constitution & 19th); two on 17th Street; and one on Independence (also disabled entrance). At least six Jumbo Trons will be located from the Lincoln Memorial to midway down the reflecting pool. Attendees are encouraged to take public transit, as there is no parking (aside from parking for the disabled on Independence & West Basin Ave) in the immediate area.
The program finale will include remarks from President-elect George W. Bush and Vice President-elect Richard B. Cheney and a stunning 10-minute fireworks show, presented by Fireworks by Grucci, from five launch sites around the National Mall.
The following is a list of the participants and their roles (not listed in order of appearance):
Larry King, talk show host -- Emcee
Secretary of State-designee Colin Powell -- to make remarks
U.S. Navy Band -- ceremonial musical support
U.S. Army Herald Trumpeters -- ceremonial musical support
U.S. Army Golden Knights, parachute troop -- parachute and land on
National Mall
Armed Forces Aerial Review --- flyover featuring a flight of 4 aircraft
from each branch
Sandi Patty, Christian singer -- perform National Anthem
Christopher Johnson, classical pianist -- perform musical piece
Brooks & Dunn, country music band -- perform musical number
Charlotte Church, opera singer -- opera vocal performance
Sylvester Stallone, actor -- speaking role
Jon Secada, Latin music singer -- vocal performance
Lorrie Morgan & Sammy Kershaw, country singers -- vocal duet
Tiffany Ameen, 17-year-old Christian singer from New Orleans, LA to sing
Amazing Grace
Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr., singers, former members of 5th
Dimension, perform vocal duet
Denise Graves, opera singer -- opera vocal performance
Wayne Newton, singer -- speaking role and vocal performance
Radio City Rockettes, dance troop -- dance performance with Wayne Newton
Lance Armstrong, Olympic cyclist -- speaking role
Dara Torres, Olympic swimmer -- speaking role
Muhammed Ali, boxing legend -- speaking role
Andrew Lloyd Webber, composer -- performing multiple musical pieces
All Girls National Jazz Choir, singing group -- to perform with Andrew
Lloyd Webber
Ricky Martin, Latin pop singer, and band members -- vocal performance
Kim Weston, singer, to perform Lift Every Voice
Jessica Simpson, singer -- perform vocal number with Andrew Lloyd Webber
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