January 27, 2001

By all accounts, as reported by all major TV outlets, the BLACK TIE AND BOOTS INAUGURAL BALL was the hit of the inauguration ceremonies staged January 19th. in Washington D.C. The day began auspiciously at 730 AM as we boarded the American Airlines flight out of Austin with the lovely and gracious DOLLY PARTON. We got the VIP treatment from American Airlines at DFW, escorted to our flight to D.C., and boarded there alongside TROY AIKMAN. I sat next to the beautiful and talented ARLENE SCOTT, talk show personality at KLIF 570 AM out of Dallas, and we had a lively conversation that was most enjoyable. Stretch limousine ferried us to the Wardman Marriott Hotel from Reagan National Airport. From that point it was hurry up and wait as all rooms had to be secured by the Secret Service for the President's appearance later that evening. We barely had time to get dressed up and get up to the main stage for our opening set at 700 PM We started our regular dance set and had a jam packed dance floor the whole set. By all accounts we showed out real good. Then came MARK CHESTNUT, PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH, VAN CLIBURN, CLINT BLACK, LEE GREENWOOD, TANYA TUCKER, AND ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL. Pretty impressive lineup. Got to hang out with ZZ Top's BILLY GIBSONS as well. We've known each other since '68. DUCK SOUP , MARCIA BALL, RECKLESS KELLY, and AZTECA were all there so Austin Music was well represented. Miz Velann, the honorable Mayor of Luckenbach, Texas, was there representing her important constituency of 3.

I can't describe to you what a thrill and honor it was to participate. I was and am a supporter of George W. Bush. I had, had it in my mind even long before he announced that I wanted to play for his inauguration and viola, it came to pass. You have to think of something before it can happen, is the lesson to be learned. May God bless the President and guide him as he leads our country.

I want to thank Doug Centilli, Russell Laird, and Danny Ward for their efforts in making this happen. I'm sure there are others that I don't know about and I will thank them too!

Got to run, I've got cows out on the river. AAAAAAA-OOOOOOOO