The New Kennedy Center

Look, this isn't going to turn into a political blog. There are just some current events that are unavoidable, and I feel the need to write about their absurdity. And hopefully you'll find this entertaining.

My family and I have visited the Kennedy Center many times since I moved to the Washington DC area. It's a fantastic venue with multiple performing spaces and beautiful views of the Potomac River. I feel fancy and cultured and elegant whenever I go there. I love it and need to visit more often.

At the end of last week, President Trump announced that he named himself as the chair of the Kennedy Center since apparently he has nothing else to do with his time (presumably since Elon Musk is doing everything). Here is what you can expect from Trump in this position.

Sara Bareilles performed several shows at the Kennedy Center at the end of last year. She's not welcome back because she didn't write Trump a love song.

Renaming the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to the Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. Robert Kennedy Jr. has done significantly more for Trump than John F. Kennedy ever did. Besides, it's still the Kennedy Center. No one will even notice the change

Shear Madness is a murder mystery comedy show set at a hair salon with audience participation which has been running for several decades. It's a fun show. Unfortunately, the gay character in the show is now out. Of the show.

The Kennedy Center Honors is an annual event where five performing artists are honored for their lifetime contribution to American culture. Don't expect a committee discussion this year. Trump is going to name the following individuals himself to receive this honor in 2025.

* Kid Rock - Obviously a big supporter of the president. 

* Lee Greenwood - He performed at both Trump inauguration ceremonies and they sell bibles together.
* Scott Baio - He's in charge of your days and your nights. Trump supporter.

* Donald Trump -  According to probably one person, The Apprentice is the biggest and most successful television show of all time. 

* Melania Trump - The fashion part of the performing arts has been underserved. She gets this honor simply for this hat.

Although Black History Month will still be celebrated at the Kennedy Center, it's going to have a new look featuring the work of Trump supporters Amber Rose, Kodak Black, and Kanye West. 

I'm changing the tone of this post for a minute. I started writing some ideas for this post shortly after Trump's Friday announcement. Since that time, Kanye West went on (another) rant with multiple antisemitic comments. And now, he's selling T-shirts with a swastika on them. Can we as a society be done with him? As in banning his songs from radio, SiriusXM, Spotify, etc.? He is a hateful person with a dangerous message. This isn't a one-time thing. This is how he really thinks and feels. If anyone deserves to be cancelled, it's him. I hope we never hear from him again.

Okay, I'm not getting back on track. I thought about including ideas like a new Elon Musk-version of The Sound of Music where the von Trapp family supports the nazis or the national symphony orchestra only playing YMCA, but that's enough for this post. Just another day in 2025.

Photo by Saul Loeb/AP

You're Welcome, Lee Greenwood

Lee Greenwood is scheduled to perform at the inauguration this Monday. Greenwood is probably tired of singing the same patriotic songs over and over and over again. I mean, he has to sing "God Bless The USA," but maybe he wants to show his versatility and vocal range and abilities. Back in 2017, we provided some ideas for songs he could perform during the inauguration activities. Apparently, he didn't listen, which is somewhat understandable. Performing at an inauguration or one of the events around the ceremony is a big deal. Maybe he didn't want to mix things up. 8 years later, Greenwood should be comfortable with his resume. Perhaps he really wants to do something big to cement his legacy. Therefore, I asked people on my social media sites for suggestions about what Greenwood should perform. Here are the results though some of these may not be suitable for work:

Sabrina Carpenter - Espresso

This is arguably the biggest song of 2024, and you know Greenwood is working late, 'cause he's a singer. 

2 Live Crew - Me So Horny

An obvious choice to honor President Trump's south Florida ties.

Shania Twain - Man! I Feel Like A Woman!

Good song to get the crowd dancing!

The Weather Girls - It's Raining Men

The Pussycat Dolls - Don't Cha featuring Busta Rhymes

Greenwood could perform vocals by both The Pussycat Dolls and Busta.

Divinyls - I Touch Myself

Nine Inch Nails - Closer

This one is a little heavier on the instrumentals. Maybe a good song to showcase his fellow musicians.

James Brown - Say It Loud - I'm Black & I'm Proud

Jimmy Buffett - Why Don't We Get Drunk

Guarantee that there are a lot of Buffet fans in the crowd.

Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion - WAP 

Disturbed - Down With The Sickness

Diana Ross - I'm Coming Out

Christina Aguilera - Candyman

In honor of Trump winning Pennsylvania, Greenwood should support a Pittsburgher.

Mtume - Juicy Fruit

And staying on the snack/candy theme.

Lee Greenwood - God Bless You Canada 

To close the show, Greenwood should perform his song to honor America's soon to be 51st state!

The Ultimate Lee Greenwood Inauguration Set List

Ever take an idea too far? Well, that's the motivation for this post. Country singer Lee Greenwood, best known for "God Bless the USA" during his long career, will perform at this week's inauguration festivities. While I'm sure he'll sing all of his normal hits, I thought it would be fun for him to mix things up and play a bunch of covers.

I proposed several songs and asked for more suggestions on my Facebook page. Please note that these songs are probably not very popular among Greenwood's audience, and it's almost certain that Greenwood has never sang these songs. (That's what makes this even more fun!) Please note that I don't think there are any bad words in these videos, but you still may not want to watch them at work. Enjoy!

Baby Got Back by Sir Mix-a-Lot



Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard



Not Ready To Make Nice by Dixie Chicks



Break Free by Ariana Grande



Why perform one Ariana Grande song, when you can perform two!

Dangerous Woman by Ariana Grande



Raising Hell by Run-DMC



Why perform one Run DMC song when you can perform two?

It's Tricky by Run DMC



OPP by Naughty By Nature



Raining Blood by Slayer



Hips Don't Lie by Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean (Greenwood could probably perform both parts.)



I really, really, really hope Greenwood performs some of these songs during the inauguration concert. Even just one of these would be fantastic. Feel free to include your own set list suggestions in the comments section below.