In this post, I offer my thoughts on how singer Carrie Underwood followed in the footsteps of poet Robert Frost, who had to go to Plan B at the 1961 Presidential Inauguration.

No matter how much planning goes into an event or performance, you must be ready for the inevitable surprises that occur. This is especially true when the nation – even the world – is watching, as was the case on January 20, 2025, when singer Carrie Underwood stepped forward to sing America the Beautiful at the presidential inauguration. Just as she was about to sing, a technical malfunction disrupted the backing music.

Carrie waited momentarily for the music to resume, but quickly moved into recovery mode by singing the song a cappella. “You know the words, help me out here,” she said to the audience and they – including five U.S. Presidents and other dignitaries – joined in the singing. It turned out to be a beautiful moment, gone viral due to being out of the ordinary and the magnitude of the event itself.

Of course, it was not the first time someone was faced with a curve ball at an inopportune moment, including at a presidential inaugural. The famous American poet Robert Frost was prepared to read the poem, Dedication, he wrote for the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy on January 20, 1961. That ceremony was held outside on a sunny day, and the bright glare of the sun made it impossible for the 86-year-old poet to see the words of the poem he had written.

Like Underwood would do 64 years later, Frost shifted gears and recited from memory, The Gift Outright, a poem he originally recited in 1941 at the College of William & Mary, and suggested by President Kennedy as a possibility if Frost could not write and recite a new poem for the inauguration. His recital was met with much applause, but people later criticized Frost’s written words. He said he intended the poem to be a symbol of patriotism even when times are difficult, and with that caveat, the criticism faded away and was soon swept to the back pages.

Underwood, too, faced criticism by opponents of President Trump for singing at his inauguration, which she effectively handled with the following media statement. “I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,” she said. “I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”

Frost’s response to the 43-year-old President-elect Kennedy when asked to participate in the inauguration was as follows: “If you can bear at your age the honor of being made President of the United States, I ought to be able at my age to bear the honor of taking some part in your inauguration. I may not be equal to it but I can accept it for my cause – the arts, poetry, now for the first time taken into the affairs of statesmen.”

Two artists, two generations apart, but both handled their immediate challenges and the subsequent criticism with dignity, patriotism, and grace. That is quick thinking at its finest and a lesson to us all.

REMEMBER…

◊ You can learn more about Robert Frost and his poetry by visiting the Academy of American Poets at www.poets.org. You can learn more about Carrie Underwood by visiting www.carrieunderwood.official.com. 

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