Obamas credit Stevie Wonder for true love
It's not the first time someone has credited a popular musician or band for true love.
Just think of all the happy couples out there who say it was the music of Twisted Sister that brought them together.
President Obama did exactly that last night (except the Twisted Sister part). He recognized one singer as being foundational to his relationship with First Lady Michelle.
“I think it’s fair to say that had I not been a Stevie Wonder fan, Michelle might not have dated me," Obama said. "We might not have married. The fact that we agreed on Stevie was part of the essence of our courtship."
Gershwin Award
No, the First Couple was not appearing on Dr. Phil to discuss their relationship or anything. The Obamas welcomed Stevie Wonder to the White House to present him with the second annual Gershwin Award for Lifetime Achievement from the US Library of Congress.
What this means for you and me is that we'll be able to watch last night's ceremony punctuated by a Wonder and friends mini-concert tonight on PBS.
Wonder was joined by Tony Bennett, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Diana Krall, Mary Mary, Martina McBride, Paul Simon, and Will.i.am. (Twisted Sister was not on the guest list).
First Lady
While the president's admiration for Wonder is well-known, it was Michelle who began the ceremony last night by discussing her connection to the singer.
"We honor a man whose music and lyrics I fell in love with when I was a little girl," she said. "The first album I ever bought was Stevie Wonder's 'Talking Book.'"
"Years later, I discovered what Stevie meant when he sang about love. Barack and I chose the song, ‘You and I’ as our wedding song," she continued.
Wonder
When it was Wonder's turn to talk he also discussed his role in the First Couple's wedded bliss.
“President and Mrs. Obama, I’m so excited to know that I was part of, I needn’t say more," he joked.
Songs you'll hear tonight include: If it's Magic, Higher Ground, All I Do, Blame it on the Sun, I Never Dreamed You'd Leave me in the Summer, Sir Duke, Superstition, Signed Sealed Delivered, All About the Love Again, and Isn't She Lovely.
Although we don't have footage from last night's concert, we do have this great clip of Stevie Wonder's appearance on Sesame Street.
