Enthusiasm trumps star power at ‘Make America Great Again’ concert

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Lee Greenwood soldiering forth with “God Bless the USA” was expected, as was a tip of the red Solo Cup by Toby Keith to President-elect Donald J. Trump.

Not so expected, for the thousands of fans gathered Thursday at the Lincoln Memorial, was Keith’s call-out to President Barack Obama. “To our 44th president, we salute you,” said Keith, the headliner at the free “Make America Great Again” concert. He then added, “To our 45th president, Donald Trump, we salute you,” before singing “Made In America.”

Keith also played crowd favorite “American Soldier” to close out the entertainment segment of the concert, which also featured Greenwood singing his famous anthem backed by the Frontmen of Country(Larry Stewart of Restless Heart and Richie McDonald and Tim Rushlow of Lonestar).

The rock band 3 Doors Down performed “Kryptonite,” “When I’m Gone” and “Without You.” The Piano Guys — who gained national fame on YouTube — played One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful,” where the four musicians played different parts of the open-lidded piano.

The performance may have lacked the star power of previous inaugural concerts, but the crowd was ebullient and loved hearing from Trump at the end.

“I look so forward to tomorrow. We are going to see something that will be so amazing,” said Trump, winging his words from the stage. “This started as being a small, little concert, and we wound up doing it in front of the Lincoln Memorial … The people came by the thousands and thousands, and here we are tonight. It’s a movement like we’ve never seen anywhere in the world.”

One couple posing for photos was indicative of the goodwill inside the event. Alex Engle and Anna Marie Previti of Los Angeles are friends of friends of Trump. Neither said they supported Trump, but they took the chance to be a part of history. “It’s larger than life. I didn’t realize there would be so many people here,” Engle said.

Previti added, “Everybody’s coming together. Whether I support Donald Trump or not, this is historic. I originally was not supporting him, but now that he is our president, I have hope, and I have optimism.”

WHITE HOUSE PAWN

Between Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval and “Pawn Stars” cast member Rick Harrison, guess who made the trip to D.C. for the inauguration?

The pawn star.

While Sandoval stayed in Carson City after his State of the State address (reportedly, he was not able to make the trip to Washington so close after Tuesday’s speech), Harrison is in D.C. taking part in the event. I ran into Harrison and his wife, DeAnna, near the stage at the “Make America Great Again” concert. He was invited in November by the Trump team to take part in the concert, swearing-in ceremony, parade and official Liberty Ball on Friday night.

“No matter what side of the aisle you’re on, you have to appreciate this for what it is,” Harrison said. “We’ve had a peaceful transition of power for 45 presidents. No other country has done that.”

Harrison originally backed Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who held a campaign event at the opening of Pawn Plaza, the strip mall next to Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, in October 2015. When Rubio dropped from the campaign, Harrison turned to Trump, setting aside his earlier skepticism about Trump’s inherited wealth.

FIRST SONGS

Donald and Melania Trump took the stage to a curious Rolling Stones medley of “Let’s Spend the Night Together,” “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” and “Heart of Stone.” Despite complaints by the band, Trump used “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” on the campaign trail. CNN has predicted the couple’s first dance at the Liberty Ball will be to “My Way.”

HE’S IN LINE

The line entering the event took at least 45 minutes to reach the security gates. Among those in line was CNN contributor and former Ronald Reagan aide Jeffrey Lord. “I don’t mind this wait, no,” Lord said. “It’s a beautiful day, a historic day obviously, and there is a lot of enthusiasm. This is a moment in time, no matter who is taking the oath.”

John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section, and Fridays in Neon. He also hosts “Kats! On The Radio” Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and appears Wednesdays at 11 a.m. with Dayna Roselli on KTNV Channel 13. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.