5 former presidents rock stage with Gaga
Hurricane relief concert celebrates American unity in times of need
Country music provided much of the soundtrack for Deep From the Heart: The One America Appeal, a concert for hurricane relief held Saturday at Reed Arena at Texas A&M University.
But the night really belonged to five former living U.S. presidents and one pop superstar.
Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter all made appearances throughout the two-hour extravaganza. President Donald Trump appeared via a prerecorded video statement.
The former presidents took the stage together to kick off the event, with Obama receiving the loudest and most enthusiastic reception.
Later, during an electric set by 82-year-old soul singer Sam Moore, cameras frequently panned to Obama singing along and bobbing his head, eliciting roars from the crowd.
“As heartbreaking as the tragedies that took place here in Texas and in Florida, in Puerto Rico, in the U.S. Virgin Islands have been, what we’ve also seen is the spirit of America at its best,” Obama said. “When ordinary people step up and do extraordinary things.”
Surprise guest Lady Gaga added serious wattage to the proceedings and performed a trio of her most powerful songs — “A Million Reasons,” “You and I” and “The Edge of Glory” — on just a piano. Her piercing vocals earned standing ovations from the former presidents.
Gaga earmarked her million donation to help survivors with mental health and emotional trauma.
The lineup also included host Lee Greenwood, country group Alabama, Houston native and A&M graduate Robert Earl Keen and “The Voice” Season 3 winner Cassadee Pope.
One America Appeal was launched last month by the five former presidents in response to Hurricane Harvey, which affected much of Houston. It was twice expanded to include recovery efforts in Florida from Hurricane Irma and in Puerto Rico from Hurricane Maria.
It was established through the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation.