Concert rocks fiscal doomsayer White House
As President Obama has halted funding for White House tours and Blue Angels performances, citing the budget sequester, he and First Wife Michelle geared up Tuesday for a star-studded, soul music concert in the White House that featured such celebs as Justin Timberlake, Queen Latifah, and the Reverend Al Green.
Only a few days before the big gala concert, the Obama Administration claimed sequestration caused January's anemic jobs numbers by cutting vital government services.
However, the purportedly severe cutbacks of government spending didn't stop the President from enjoying a night of stirring soul music during Tuesday's program, titled In Performance at the White House: Memphis Soul.
First Lady Michelle Obama kicked off the April 9 tribute to Soul with an hour-long, morning program held in the White House State Dining Room billed as a "guidance" on the night's Memphis Soul performance. The event was held for students and music lovers and featured soul greats Sam Moore, Mavis Staples, Charlie Musselwhite, Ben Harper, and pop star Justin Timberlake as panel members taking questions from the audience.
Mrs. Obama opened the morning's introductory program by discussing the importance of music in America today and urged the children in the audience to faithfully practice playing music.