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Eight weeks of planning, coordination and execution were set into motion. Our road
manager, Susan Rakis, did an outstanding job of making sure we walked into the
Independence ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, DC, ready to just pick
up our instruments and start performing.
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Inauguration Day 2009 we will long remember. Many of our band members went down
to the national mall, to stand as few among thousands to witness, firsthand, history in the
making. As I watched our 44th President of the United States take the oath of office, I
couldn't help but realize that this was no ordinary occasion. For Americans, it signaled
the beginning of a new time of hope in our country, as men and women joined in
dedicating anew their strong can-do work ethic, coming together amidst political party
differences, for the common good.
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For the second time in 4 years, The Buckinghams found ourselves in the midst of
preparations to play a very special inaugural ball to honor our nation's new leader, and
his executive team. For an American band, with the British-sounding name, the
opportunity was great, to be a small part of history in the making.
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True, the town was full of inaugural balls, with people gathering together in any venue
they could find to celebrate one of the most important days in our nation's history during
the past 50 years. But the Bipartisan Agriculture Ball held special meaning. Our good
friend, Terry Duffy, Executive Chairman of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, had
recommended to the committee that we headline the entertainment, along with one of our
favorite Capitol Hill bands, "Blame it on Jane."
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It took only 2 songs to get the elegantly dressed crowd of dignitaries to leave their dinner
tables and hit the dance floor, as the band kicked into high gear. Nothing like a typical
Buckinghams concert, we were, for the evening, a Chicagoland dance band, dedicated to
making sure everyone had a great time at the party of the year.
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Our audience of more than 2000 people was electric. We had dignitaries representing the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives
celebrating the evening with us. Some actually shared some of their music and dance
talents with us that night.
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The phrase "Bipartisan Agricultural Ball" could mistakenly bring to mind an evening
with guys in 10-gallon cowboy hats singing songs of dogs, trains, and love gone wrong.
We weren't and we didn't. Instead, we were in suits and the crowd was in tuxedos and
ball gowns as we brought Chicago's pop rock sound, complete with our horn guys, to the
room. The crowd gave us so much energy back that we had as much fun as they did that
night. While we performed the songs that made The Buckinghams famous in the 1960s,
we also did all the hits from many of our friends from the 60s and the 70s rock scene.
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That night, the spotlight was on President and Mrs. Obama, and by extension in that
room, a special focus was devoted to our nation's agricultural industry. The business of
agriculture is a very strong part of the hope we have for our economic future as well.
Agriculture is more than farmers plowing fields to grow a few crops for the family.
Midwest America, our nation's heartland, was represented by the attendance of many
senators and congressional representatives who attended our event.
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To the Bipartisan Agriculture Committee, to Terry Duffy, to Prism Entertainment, and to
all who worked behind the scenes to make this inaugural ball a success, we extend our
sincere thanks and appreciation. To President Obama, we offer our best wishes and
prayers for success, and we extend the same to all those men and women involved in U.S.
military service, our families, and our nation.
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As you review the photographs and see
some of the video clips that we'll be posting of that evening, please know that every one
of you who's been a fan of The Buckinghams through the years was integral to our being
there that evening. Without your coming to the concerts, buying the CDs, and requesting
us on the radio, we would not be here. Thanks for sharing a very special evening with us.
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wo weeks after Barack Obama had been elected President, I learned The Buckinghams
had been invited to headline entertainment for the 2009 Bipartisan Agriculture Ball.
Excitement was followed by pride, as I recalled our having had the opportunity to
perform at the same inaugural ball in 2005. This time, our nation's president was from
our hometown, which made the prospect of being a small part of the day's events even
more special.)
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