Erin Boehme never imagined her first time visiting Washington, D.C., would be to perform at the presidential inaugural ball set to broadcast live into tens of millions of homes.
“Surreal is really the word that comes to mind,” the 30-year-old jazz singer told the Washington Examiner in an exclusive interview. “You know, more than anything, I think it’s the experience of participating in something so extraordinarily historic. … I love to sing and it’s always an honor to get asked to sing and to perform. But I’m also an ardent patriot of our country and so to be able to contribute to something like this, it just — it means the world to me personally.”
Boehme will be part of a vocal trio performing the classic “My Way” for Donald and Melania Trump in their first dance as president and first lady at the Liberty Ball at the Washington convention center Friday night. The group is comprised of Boehme and two fellow singers from Nashville with different musical backgrounds.
Boehme will perform “Mack the Knife” solo as the opening song for the ball as well as the song for incoming Vice President Mike Pence’s first dance with his wife Karen.
Boehme was tapped to perform about a month and a half ago, but had to wait until the other singers were picked before they knew who would be assigned to each event. She described their rendition of “My Way” as an unexpected take on the classic song made famous by Frank Sinatra.
The jazz artist got her start in music at 17 years old in Los Angeles after moving from her hometown of Osh Kosh, Wis. She released her first album, What Love Is, as a signee of Concord Jazz Records in 2006.
Michael Buble heard the tracks and offered his help to Boehme. Her sophomore album, What a Life, was put out by Concord Music’s Heads Up International in 2013 and produced by Buble. The Canadian singer’s touring band served as Boehme’s back-up through the entire album.
While Trump enters the White House with the lowest approval ratings of any new president, Boehme said she believes this inauguration will be looked back on as a special time proceeded by “great things” in the future.
While some celebrities have shared their disinterest in attending or playing in D.C. this week, Boehme views the opportunity to participate as a way to encourage the country to do their share in peacefully transitioning as a country as Trump takes office.
“I hope that when people see this … they heed the words of our current president today, President Barack Obama, who’s been encouraging people to participate in a peaceful transition,” Boehme said. “And I think that’s what we’re all trying to do. We’re involved in this because we know how important that is and how great our country is.”
While Boehme won’t be in town for long and has a tight schedule, she does hope to meet the incoming commander in chief. Whether that happens, the jazz vocalist said she has seen enough of D.C. in the past two days to mandate a return to the nation’s capital.
“When my driver picked me up at the airport to bring me into the city, you know, to my hotel, I started seeing the different monuments,” Boehme said. “I’m such a sucker, I just started getting a little emotional, it’s so great to be here in this time and hopefully I can come back soon and be a sightseer and take everything in.”
