[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 31, Number 20 (Monday, May 22, 1995)]
[Pages 849-850]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on WETA's ``Women of Country: In Performance at the White 
House''

May 17, 1995

    The President. Thank you very much. Where I was raised we didn't 
know it was country; we thought it was the only music there was. 
[Laughter]
    Ladies and gentlemen, country music vividly demonstrates America's 
fundamental ability to adapt and to change, to innovate, while never 
forgetting the best of our past in the mountains of Appalachia, in the 
hills and fields of the South, in the plains and deserts of the cowboy 
West. We took ancient folk ballads, we mixed in blues and gospel and 
came up with a whole new kind of song. As an American and as a 
southerner, I take special pride in seeing our country music now 
spreading all across the planet. And I'm very proud that our theme this 
evening is the women of country.
    Our host has a well-earned reputation for nurturing and encouraging 
country talent, and for a little country homespun wisdom. He's worked 
with everybody from Hank Williams, Dottie West, and Elvis, to Dolly 
Parton and Paul McCartney. He's probably the best known guitarist in the 
world. Please welcome Mr. Chet Atkins.

[At this point, the performance began.]

    The President. Thank you so much. I want to thank Suzy Bogguss, 
Alison Krauss, Kathy Mattea. Thank you all, and thank all the wonderful 
musicians who played with you. Thank you, Kathy, for singing the song 
for me and the Secretary of Education that we love so much.
    Thank you, Chet Atkins, for bringing so much alive to all of us. 
Thank you for bringing my old friend, Randy Goodrun back. He's

[[Page 850]]

playing with a lot higher class musicians than he did 30 years ago when 
we started. [Laughter]
    Ladies and gentlemen, in country music we truly hear America 
singing. It's the honest sound of our day-to-day triumphs and our 
heartbreaks, our joy, our sorrow, our love, and our hope. These women of 
country are using their power and their skill and their heart to make 
this music even richer and more compassionate and more wonderful.
    Thank you, and good night.

Note: The President spoke at 7:44 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White 
House.