Charlie Musselwhite and Cyndi Lauper in the East Wing at the White House. Photo by CM
By MAGICAL MADGE
(Clarksdale, Mississippi)
When I see Charlie Musselwhite in my email Inbox, I know it is always going to be something delightful and fun. My most recent correspondence back and forth with Mr. Musselwhite did not disappoint. WOW!
His news this time? Get this. Charlie is performing LIVE at the White House in a concert dubbed MEMPHIS SOUL with, let’s see, Al Green, Queen Latifah, Alabama Shakes, William Bell, Steve Cropper, Ben Harper, Cyndi Lauper, Joshua Ledet, Sam Moore, Mavis Staples and Justin Timberlake, with Booker T. Jones. (see complete press release at bottom of post)
My response back….
WOW!
His response back was this….
“I’m still foolin’ ’em. Ha. Ha.”
So, my next question to Charlie was, 1) how did you find out about the invite? 2) how did you react? 3) how did it make you feel deep inside? 4) who did you tell about it first? 5) what are you gonna wear?
“I don’t really have much to say yet. Probably more after I get back. But I don’t have any official notice or anything. I’d been hearing that it might happen for awhile from Ben’s people. I didn’t know officially until yesterday a friend emailed me that they’d read it in a Memphis paper and then I googled it and there it was. Ha! I’m happy that a lot of my friends will be there.” – Charlie Musselwhite
Seriously? Can you imagine? He heard about it from a friend? My, Charlie, it must be nice to have friends connected to elevated places! You wouldn’t have wanted to miss this gig.
We are so proud of our friend and talented musician, Charlie Musselwhite. Thank you for sharing this exciting news with the Delta Bohemian®!
We will be awaiting some juicy details! Have a Blast, Charlie! You too, Henri! We will be glued to our television sets Tuesday, April 16 at 7PM CST on the PBS station for the “Memphis Soul“ concert live at the White House. WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! MM
We highly encourage comments and sharing. 😎 😎
PRESS RELEASE
Next week Justin Timberlake, Al Green, Queen Latifah, and many others will perform at the White House in a “Memphis Soul” concert, the White House announced today.
“As part of their ‘In Performance at the White House’ series, the President and First Lady will invite music legends and contemporary major artists to the White House for a celebration of Memphis Soul music. The program will include performances by Alabama Shakes, William Bell, Steve Cropper, Al Green, Ben Harper, Queen Latifah, Cyndi Lauper, Joshua Ledet, Sam Moore, Charlie Musselwhite, Mavis Staples and Justin Timberlake, with Booker T. Jones as music director and band leader. The President’s remarks will be pooled press and the entire event will be streamed live on www.whitehouse.gov/live starting at 6:55 PM ET. ‘In Performance at the White House: Memphis Soul’ will be broadcast Tuesday, April 16 at 8 PM ET on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings). The program will also be broadcast at a later date via the American Forces Network to American service men and women and civilians at U.S. Department of Defense locations around the world,” the press release reads.
As she has done with previous White House music events, the First Lady will host a special daytime event for students. The First Lady will welcome 120 middle and high school students from across the country to take part in an interactive student workshop event: “Soulsville, USA: The History of Memphis Soul.” Beginning at 11:00 AM in the State Dining Room, Robert Santelli, Executive Director of The GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles, will lead the students in an overview of the origins of Memphis Soul, discuss importantartists from throughout its history, and explore the elements of soul and gospel that helped contribute to the genre’s unique sound. Featured performers from the evening event will share their experiences as well as answer student questions about the music and entertainment world. Students from 16 schools and organizations from the following ten communities will participate: Herndon, Virginia; Los Angeles and Oakland, California; Memphis, Tennessee; New York, New York; Sandy Spring, Maryland; Seminole, Tampa; Tarpon Springs, Florida; and Washington, D.C.
The workshop, “Soulsville, USA: The History of Memphis Soul,” will stream live on www.whitehouse.gov/live. This event will be open press, but space is limited. Members of the media who wish to cover this event must RSVP to firstladypress@who.eop.gov by Friday, April 5, 2013 at 12:00 PM ET. Press who do not have a White House hard pass must include their social security number, date of birth, country of citizenship, current city/state of residence and gender.
“In Performance at the White House: Memphis Soul” will be the tenth “In Performance at the White House” program hosted by the President and Mrs. Obama. Starting in February 2009, these events have honored the musical genius of Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, Burt Bacharach and Hal David; celebrated Hispanic musical heritage during Hispanic Heritage Month; marked Black History Month with events featuring music from the Civil Rights Movement, Motown and the Blues; spotlighted Broadway and the unique spirit of the American musical; and explored the rich roots and resiliency of Country Music.
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