It’s been a day full of performer announcements, with publication of the first lists of those who will appear live at both the Presidential Inauguration, on Jan. 21, and at the Grammy awards, on Feb. 10.
People reports that, according to the Presidential Inaugural Committee, noted friend-of-POTUS Beyoncé—who performed at an Inaugural Ball to celebrate the President’s first swearing-in—will sing the National Anthem at the U.S. Capitol during President Obama’s second inauguration. Joining her will be Kelly Clarkson singing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” and James Taylor singing “America the Beautiful.” The last time President Obama took the oath of office, performers included Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman and Aretha Franklin. That ceremony was also preceded by a large public concert featuring artists like Garth Brooks, U2 and—of course—Beyoncé.
(MORE: Beyonce’s Tumblr Blog)
Another artist who has been confirmed for the ceremony is poet Richard Blanco. The New York Times reports that Blanco, who is a gay man of Cuban heritage, will read a poem written for the occasion. His first published poem, the Times adds, is called “América.” In 2009, the honor was given to poet Elizabeth Alexander, who read her poem “Praise Song for the Day.”
Turning from politics to pop, the Recording Academy announced this morning that the performances at this year’s Grammys would include nominees the Black Keys, Fun., Mumford & Sons, Rihanna and Taylor Swift.
(MORE: 2013 Grammy Nominations: Who Surprised and Who Got Snubbed?)
More performers are yet to be announced for both events, but there is a chance some musicians may end up doing double duty: Inauguration performer Clarkson is also nominated for the Record of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album Grammy awards (for “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” and Stronger, respectively) and Beyoncé’s “Love On Top” is nominated for the Best Traditional R&B Performance Grammy. One non-performer, however, is bound to overlap…sort of: the audio version of First Lady Michelle Obama’s American Grown, her book about the White House Kitchen Garden, is a Grammy nominee in the spoken word category.