President Bush’s second inaugural – a celebration of “freedom, independence, liberty and democracy” – will cost an estimated $40 million for three days of festivities starting Tuesday. How much star power does all that cash buy?
You be the judge:
The Texas State Society’s “Black Tie &Boots Inaugural Ball,” the biggest of the inaugural balls, features country star Lyle Lovett, respected country traditionalists Asleep at the Wheel and up-and-comers Sara Evans and Clay Walker.
The Recording Industry Association of America’s party, seen as the “hip” party, features mainstream rockers 3 Doors Down, the Mississippi band best known for shooting its “When I’m Gone” video on the aircraft carrier USS George Washington.
“America’s Future Rocks Today: A Call to Service,” organized by the first twins, Barbara and Jenna Bush, will be headlined by popsters Hilary Duff and JoJo.
The Creative Coalition’s “Ball After the Balls” party, a $1,000-a-ticket affair, includes Macy Gray.
Organizers of the “freedom-and-liberty” celebrations decided this week, though, that conservative rapper-rocker Kid Rock would not be allowed to perform at the “America’s Future” event after some Republicans questioned the appropriateness of his lyrics.
There was no problem, of course, with signing up Guy Hovis, the former “Lawrence Welk” regular who now works for Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss. Hovis will sing a song before the swearing-in written by Bush’s former attorney general, John Ashcroft.
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