Country music legend Garth Brooks has joined the star-studded lineup of performers and influencers invited to take part in Wednesday’s inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.
“The message they’re pushing is unity, and that’s’ right down my alley, man,” Brooks said during a Monday news conference. “If we’re gonna get anywhere, we’re gonna get there together.”
Brooks confirmed during the briefing that he will be singing on-site during the swearing-in ceremony, taking place almost two weeks to the hour after rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol in a failed bid to prevent Congress from certifying the Nov. 3 election in Biden’s favor.
Aside from viewing the moment as a “chance to serve,” Brooks said he in no way views his participation in the inaugural activities as a political statement, but rather “a statement of unity,” ABC News reported.
Although the country star declined to confirm which song he plans to perform during the ceremony, Brooks did note it most likely will not be “We Shall Be Free,” which he performed during former President Barack Obama’s first inauguration in 2009, when Biden was sworn in as vice president, the network reported.
Brooks also noted that, with the exception of Ronald Reagan, he has performed for every U.S. president since Jimmy Carter, including President Donald Trump. He also confirmed that he spoke with Jill Biden prior to making his decision Sunday to join the inauguration’s celebrity lineup, The Tennessean reported.
Garth Brooks on performing at Joe Biden's inauguration: "I might be the only Republican at this place but it's reaching across loving one another"
— Emma Kinery (@EmmaKinery) January 18, 2021
"I want the divided times to be behind us. I want to differ in opinion and be able to hug each other at the same football game"
Brooks, a Country Music Hall of Fame inductee and seven-time Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year recipient, joins an Inauguration Day celebrity lineup that includes Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Justin Timberlake, Demi Lovato, Jon Bon Jovi, Ant Clemons and Tom Hanks, the newspaper reported.
Meanwhile, the 90-minute “Celebrating America” live special is slated to air across multiple networks and streaming platforms on Wednesday evening, featuring tributes to COVID-19 first responders and comments from both Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
Cox Media Group
