Donald Trump and his people went to great lengths to find anyone willing to perform at his presidential inauguration Friday. Public opinion has pressured most recording artists from selling their souls to Cheeto Jesus. Despite meeting with the President-elect in December and pledging his support, even Kanye West won't perform at the usually star-studded Inauguration Day. Wednesday, a Trump representative went on record to say they never even asked him.
"[Kanye] considers himself a friend of the President-elect," Chairman of the Presidential Inaugural Committee Tom Barrack Jr told CNN. "But it's not the venue. The venue we have for entertainment is filled out. It's perfect. It's going to be typically and traditionally American."
Barrack goes on to say that "Kanye's a great guy." Critics have pointed out the lack of big names at the event. Currently, 1990s acts 3 Doors Down and Toby Keith are the only performers with any mainstream notoriety. Others include the Radio City Rockettes, The Piano Guys, America's Got Talent alum Jackie Evancho, DJ Ravi Drums, Big & Rich and Lee Greenwood, famous for penning and recording the song "God Bless the U.S.A.".
Chrisette Michelle agreed to perform so long as she could sing a short R&B set.