Garth Brooks joins lineup of entertainers at Biden inaugural

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NEW YORK - Add Garth Brooks to the lineup of entertainers at the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/01/2021 (2112 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NEW YORK – Add Garth Brooks to the lineup of entertainers at the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.

“This is a great day in our household,” the country music superstar said during a virtual press conference Monday, two days before Biden is to be sworn in. “This is not a political statement. This is a statement of unity.”

Brooks, who joins Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez among others, performed during the inaugural celebration of President Barack Obama in 2009. He turned down a chance to play for President Donald Trump in 2017, citing a scheduling conflict.

FILE - In this March 4, 2020, file photo, Garth Brooks performs on stage during the 2020 Gershwin Prize Honoree's Tribute Concert at the DAR Constitution Hall in Washington. (Photo by Brent N. Clarke/Invision/AP)
FILE - In this March 4, 2020, file photo, Garth Brooks performs on stage during the 2020 Gershwin Prize Honoree's Tribute Concert at the DAR Constitution Hall in Washington. (Photo by Brent N. Clarke/Invision/AP)

Invited by incoming first lady Jill Biden, Brooks has known the Bidens for more than a decade, when Joe Biden was Obama’s vice-president.

Brooks said that for this week’s inaugural, he will perform solo doing “broken down, bare-bones stuff,” and hinted at covering material by songwriters from outside the U.S.

He does not plan to sing his socially conscious “We Shall Be Free,” which he performed at the Obama inaugural.

Brooks praised the Bidens for being “hellbent on making things good” and said he welcomed the chance to help the country heal.

“I want to spend the next 10 years of my life not divided. I’m so tired of being divided,” he said.

FILE - In this Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, file photo, Garth Brooks performs
FILE - In this Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, file photo, Garth Brooks performs "Dive Bar" at the 53rd annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. Add Garth Brooks to the lineup of entertainers at the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. Brooks, who joins Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez among others, performed during the inaugural celebration of President Barack Obama in 2009. He turned down a chance to play for President Donald Trump in 2017, citing a scheduling conflict. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

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