Country star Brad Paisley and the Howard Gospel Choir have been chosen to provide entertainment at a state dinner at the White House honoring Kenya President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto. The decision to select Paisley and the choir was made as a nod to the Rutos’ love of country and gospel music. This event is a high-level diplomatic tool used to honor a top ally, with a focus on intertwining and highlighting American and Kenyan cultures to emphasize the strong alliance between the two countries. This visit will mark the first time an American president has hosted an African leader for a state visit since 2008.
President Joe Biden, who has expressed intentions to visit the African continent in 2022, has yet to fulfill that promise. However, he has shown support for cooperation with Africa and is actively building relationships with key leaders as a way to counter Russia and China’s influence on the continent. First Lady Dr. Jill Biden has already visited Namibia and Kenya in February 2023. The choice of entertainment at the state dinner reflects the ongoing friendship between the United States and Kenya, with the performance by Paisley and the Howard Gospel Choir serving as a celebration of that relationship.
Brad Paisley, a Grammy-winning artist, has a history of performing in high-profile settings, including a black-tie dinner for bipartisan governors at the White House and a visit to a pop-up Covid-19 vaccination site in Nashville alongside Jill Biden. He has previously performed at the White House during the Obama administration as part of a music series. Paisley’s music often carries powerful messages, as seen when he performed the song “Welcome to the Future” in front of former President Barack Obama. The emotional impact of singing such songs in historic settings has been deeply fulfilling for Paisley as an artist.
The choice of Paisley and the Howard Gospel Choir for the state dinner reflects the importance of music in diplomacy and cultural exchange. The event aims to showcase American and Kenyan traditions, fostering a sense of camaraderie and partnership between the two nations. The selection of Paisley and the choir by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden highlights the shared love of country and gospel music between the United States and Kenya. This state visit serves as a symbol of the enduring friendship and cooperation between the two countries, with a focus on strengthening ties and celebrating common interests.
Overall, the state dinner at the White House honoring Kenya President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto is a significant diplomatic event that highlights the strong alliance between the United States and Kenya. Through music and cultural exchange, the event aims to showcase the deepening friendship between the two nations. President Joe Biden’s efforts to build relationships with African leaders as a counter to competing global powers, coupled with his expressed intentions to visit the continent, demonstrate the importance of African partnerships in American foreign policy. The performance by Brad Paisley and the Howard Gospel Choir symbolizes the power of music to bridge differences and foster connections between nations, emphasizing the shared values and interests between the United States and Kenya.
