America was introduced to a new talent when Christopher Macchio took the stand to sing the national anthem at President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday.
The singer, 46, now referred to by some as ‘America’s Tenor’, was handpicked by Trump to sing at the ceremony held in the Capitol Rotunda in front of Washington dignitaries, including former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris.
The Long Island resident was described as a ‘once shy, hidden gem… whose rich voice used to echo through his Holbrook neighborhood when he would practice singing with the windows open’ as per Newsday.
The now international singer discovered his talent only when he reluctantly joined his high school choir to fulfill a state graduation requirement, according to Newsbreak. The Long Island resident then went on to study classical voice at Manhattan School of Music and later made his professional debut on a PBS concert special.
In an interview with the ᴀssociated Press prior to the inauguration, Macchio revealed how he came to know Trump nine years ago.
It happened the singer was asked to fill in last minute after Elton John dropped out of a New Year’s Eve celebration at Mar-a Lago.
America was introduced to a new talent when Christopher Macchio, 46, took the stand to sing the national anthem at President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday
The tenor made such an impression that Rod Stewart asked him to perform at his 70th birthday party.
Since then, Macchio has gone on to sing for Trump several times, including a memorial service in 2020 for his younger brother Robert.
He joined candidate Trump on the campaign trail, singing at the Republican National Convention in July.
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He also joined the candidate at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in October a few months after an ᴀssᴀssination attempt there.
After Macchio sang during Trump’s final campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in November he recalled Trump telling him, ‘I’ll be seeing you at the inauguration.’
‘He didn’t really specify what that meant,’ the said the artist who is an avid Trump supporter, according to his social media posts.
When a Trump staffer called him a few weeks later, Macchio said he was told he was the president-elect’s ‘first and only choice’ to perform the Star Spangled Banner.
The choice to move the ceremony inside due to cold temperatures was a disappointment for Macchio who ‘was looking forward to seeing 100,000 people spread across the National Mall.’
Christopher Macchio, now referred to by some as ‘America’s Tenor’, was handpicked by Trump to sing at the ceremony held in the Capitol Rotunda in front of Washington dignitaries, including former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris
Trump and Macchio first met about nine years ago, when the singer stepped in at the last minute to perform on New Year’s Eve at Mar-a-Lago. Since then, he has performed for Trump several times including at his Madison Square Garden rally in November
While the Trump team had difficulties booking artists to perform, Macchio said he had no qualms about taking part in the event. ‘It is the deepest honor to serve our President and our country at this pivotal moment in our nation’s history,’ he wrote on Instagram
Carrie Underwood and Lee Greenwood also took part in the swearing-in ceremony; Carrie pictured performing at the inauguration
However, he conceded being indoors ‘from a musical and vocal perspective, it’s actually a good thing,’ as extreme cold is not good for the voice.
While the Trump team had difficulties booking artists to perform at the inauguration, Macchio said he had no qualms about taking part in the event.
‘It is the deepest honor to serve our President and our country at this pivotal moment in our nation’s history,’ he wrote on Instagram Sunday.
Carrie Underwood and Lee Greenwood also took part in the swearing-in ceremony.
