Beyonc, James Taylor, Kelly Clarkson grab inauguration gig

WASHINGTON We can only hope Kelly Clarkson buys a good lid for the show.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee on Wednesday announced the musical artists selected to perform at President Barack Obamas inauguration on Jan. 21 and sad to say Aretha Franklin didnt make the list, this time around.

Four years ago, Franklin set the fashion world abuzz wearing what the Free Press described as a bow-tied, gift-wrapped, jewel-studded $179 inaugural hat as she sang My Country Tis of Thee. This year, Clarkson is set to belt out the song on the west side of the U.S. Capitol.

Other performers announced Wednesday included Beyonce who will sing the National Anthem and James Taylor, who will sing America the Beautiful.

All this will take place during the public swearing-in ceremonies on the Capitol steps, when President Obama delivers his second inaugural address before a crowd likely to top more than 1 million.

Obama will officially take the oath of office at the White House on Sunday, Jan. 20, as per the Constitution, but the repeat swearing-in ceremony, the inaugural parade, the lunch with Congress and the inaugural balls will take place on Monday, which is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

In 2009, an estimated 1.8 million people turned up on the National Mall to watch the historic inauguration of the nation's first black president; this time, in light of the economic situation, the inauguration will be more low-key, with fewer people expected and only two official balls.

USA Today writer Maria Puente contributed to this report.