Carrie Underwood, Donald Trump and a Grace Note on a Historic Day

It’s an old idiom that speech is silver and silence is golden, but not usually for a singer charged with performing before a global audience of countless millions.
Standing in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol yesterday for the 60th inaugural festivities, singer and songwriter Carrie Underwood stepped up to perform “America the Beautiful” following President Donald Trump’s address.
One major problem: the accompaniment never started.
A technical issue prevented the music from beginning on cue, though a distant strain of it kicked in for a very brief moment before cutting out and never starting again.
Ever the professional, Carrie Underwood waited patiently, smiling and nodding, ready to begin singing just as soon as the music began.
But it never did.
“I can just sing it,” she gracefully told a technician who had come forward to confer with the Country superstar.
By “sing it” she meant a capella.
“You know the words, help me out here,” she then told those gathered before beginning in perfect pitch.
Everyone sang along.
Prior to Monday’s ceremony, Underwood had been criticized for accepting the invitation. “The View’s” Joy Behar accused the singer of normalizing President Trump by showing up to be part of the even. But Underwood was unapologetic, pointing to the unique nature of the moment.
“I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,” she wrote in a statement. “I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”
Indeed, during President Trump’s inaugural address, the 47th commander-in-chief said, “My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier. That’s what I want to be. A peacemaker and a unifier.”
In an especially poignant section of his message, President Trump declared:
As a child in Checotah, Oklahoma, Carrie Underwood had her share of big-sized dreams.
“Growing up on a farm with loving parents and our church family defined my values,” Underwood said. “A small town with good people helped form me. I was rooted in something solid before I got to spread my wings.”
A professing Christian, the singer and her husband, former NHL player Mike Fisher, have suggested their faith in Jesus Christ to be the cornerstone of their lives, marriage, and the raising of their children.
Many commentators are suggesting Monday’s technical flub produced one of the more memorable and teachable moments of the Inaugural ceremony.
There will be plenty of times when the metaphorical music doesn’t play in our lives.
We can gripe, groan and grouse.
Or we can just sing – and invite others to join us.
Well done, Carrie Underwood.
Image from Getty.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Paul J. Batura is a writer and vice president of communications for Focus on the Family. He’s authored numerous books including “Chosen for Greatness: How Adoption Changes the World,” “Good Day! The Paul Harvey Story” and “Mentored by the King: Arnold Palmer's Success Lessons for Golf, Business, and Life.” Paul can be reached via email: [email protected] or Twitter @PaulBatura
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