White House gig a 'biggie' calls Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney could call a performance a little club gig at the White House.
McCartney was awarded the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in July, by the Libary an honor bestowed of Congress. Accepting it, McCartney performed in the East Room of the White House for President Barack Obama and the first family, who sat front row center.
Guests including Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello, the Jonas Brothers, Jack White and others taking turns playing Beatles classics. Jerry Seinfeld summarized the choice of McCartney for the Gershwin simply as "duh."
PBS will broadcast the concert as part of its "In Performance at the White House" series on Wednesday (8 p.m. EDT).
rock 'n' roller for the 68 years old, the evening was clearly meaningful. He sang "Michelle" to Michelle Obama, adding that he hoped the president wouldn't punch him out. For the first time, he performed "Ebony and Ivory" live with Stevie Wonder. And he performed one of the more star studded singalongs of "Hey Jude," complete with the Obamas joining onstage.
McCartney was so fond of the concert which he called "a little club gig" that he has already rewatched it, and plans to again. Sir Paul took a moment out of his North American tour to reflect on his trip to the White House.

Tonight Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney brings his “Up and Coming” tour to Utah tonight. In the state it will be his first appearance.When • Tuesday, July 13, at 7:30 p.m.Where • Rio Tinto Stadium, 9256 S. State, SandyTickets • Sold out
Former Beatle and Wings frontman Paul McCartney will perform for the first time in Utah on Tuesday, July 13.The 68 year old native of Liverpool is the most successful songwriter in the history of popular music. According to Guinness World Records, he wrote or co wrote 188 charted records, of which 91 reached the Top 10 and 33 made it to No. 1.
Virtually everyone has a favorite McCartney song, written either when he was a member of the Fab Four or during his prolific career as a solo artist and with Wings.
My favorites from Sir Paul’s collection? “Paperback Writer,” “Eleanor Rigby” and “I’ve Just Seen a Face.”
In interviews conducted over the past few months, The Tribune asked musicians and entertainers from all over the world to name their favorites. Here’s what they said:
Folk legend Joan Baez • “Let It Be”Reggae icon Jimmy Cliff • “Yesterday” and “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”Yesod Williams of Pepper • “Live and Let Die.” (“Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” is my least favorite.”)Jon Olazabal of Dirty Heads: • “I’ve Got a Feeling”Joey Signa of Paper Tongues • “Let It Be”Comedian Paula Poundstone • “Hey Jude”Singer songwriter Brandi Carlile • “Let It BePop singer David Osmond • “Blackbird” and “Yesterday”Classical violinist Jenny Oaks Baker • “Yesterday” and “Hello Goodbye”Country singer Lee Ann Womack • “Helter Skelter” Jared Watson of Dirty Heads • “Get Back”Tom Gabel of Against Me! • “Blackbird” (“I play it for my daughter. She’s 7 1/2 months.”)Rusty Anderson of Paul McCartney Band • “Helter Skelter,” “Let It Be” and “Maybe I’m Amazed”Singer songwriter Katie Herzig • “Eleanor Rigby”Deondra Brown of The 5 Browns • “Yesterday” and “Penny Lane”Lily Tomlin • “Yesterday” (“It’s so interesting to see the progression of their music, and their consciousness.”)John Campbell of Lamb of God • “Why Don’t We Do It in the Road?”Bryan Simpson of Cadillac Sky • “Blackbird”Dance music artist Girl Talk • “Temporary Secretary”Blues guitarist JJ Grey • “We Can Work It Out”SA Martinez of 311 • “Yesterday” and “Blackbird” (“What a genius, what a craftsman. How lucky we are to have these songs?”Country singer Heidi Newfield • “Hey Jude” and “Live and Let Die”Comedian Anjelah Johnson • None. “You can ask me what my favorite Beyoncé song is. I can give you a whole list.”

Paul McCartney's Tour Makes a Big Jump on TicketNews' Top Event Rankings in June

After adding more tour dates to his North American Up and Coming Tour, Paul McCartney jumped 10 spots for a second place finish on TicketNews' exclusive Top Event Rankings, as compiled from June 1-30.
Despite being outsold by the ever popular musical "Wicked," former Beatle Paul McCartney made a strong showing in June's rankings. McCartney added new tour dates during the month, including second appearances in Toronto and Pittsburgh. Ticket onsales for those dates started in late June, and the tour begins July 10 at AT&T Park in San Francisco.
Hip hop heavyweights Jay-Z and Eminem had the strongest debut of the month with a fourth place finish in the rankings. High demand for tickets caused the duo to expand their co-headlining tour from two nights to four, playing hometown shows in Detroit on September 2-3 and New York City on September 13-14.
Dave Matthews Band almost cracked into the Top 10 June event rankings. Ticket sales for DMB's spring and summer tour began in February and placed the band at number 15 in the month's rankings, although the band quickly dropped out of the Top 20 in following months. But a current announcement to go on hiatus in 2011 pushed DMB back into the May rankings at number 17, and now that their tour is underway, their ticket sales have surged and brought them to the 11th position on the list.