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Obamas host stars in celebration of music of Ray Charles

First lady Michelle Obama moves out of the way as she welcomes performer Jussie Smollett, in the State Dinning Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016, during an interactive student workshop on the musical legacy of Ray Charles, where students from 10 schools and community organizations from across the country participate as part of the "In Performance at the White House" series. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
First lady Michelle Obama moves out of the way as she welcomes performer Jussie Smollett, in the State Dinning Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016, during an interactive student workshop on the musical legacy of Ray Charles, where students from 10 schools and community organizations from across the country participate as part of the "In Performance at the White House" series. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) First lady Michelle Obama moves out of the way as she welcomes performer Jussie Smollett, in the State Dinning Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016, during an interactive student workshop on the musical legacy of Ray Charles, where students from 10 schools and community organizations from across the country participate as part of the "In Performance at the White House" series. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

By Associated Press 2 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – If “Hit the Road Jack” blares from the White House, it won’t necessarily be a dedication to President Barack Obama.

Obama and his wife, Michelle, are hosting a musical tribute Wednesday night to the late Ray Charles, and “Hit the Road Jack” was one of his most recognized songs.

Usher, Demi Lovato, Yolanda Adams and The Band Perry are among a group of contemporary artists who will perform Charles’ music during a taping of the tribute, “Smithsonian Salutes Ray Charles: In Performance at the White House.” The program is scheduled to be live streamed on the White House website and broadcast by PBS stations nationwide on Friday.

The “In Performance” series dates to 1978 and has spanned every presidential administration beginning with Jimmy Carter’s.

“Today’s event is a little bittersweet for all of us, because today marks the very last ‘In Performance’ event that will take place while my family is living in the White House,” Mrs. Obama said during a student workshop with some of the invited performers, including Lovato and Jussie Smollett, who plays musician Jamal Lyon in the Fox drama “Empire.”