Al Green: Turned down 'Together' time with Obamas

FILE - In this undated file photo, Josephine County Sheriff Gil Gilbertson stands in his office in Grants Pass, Ore. Gilbertson is one of a growing number of rural sheriffs and lawmakers vowing to ignore any new gun control legislation, or even make it a crime for federal officials to enforce federal gun policy. Gilbertson and others have written to Vice President Joe Biden, who headed a gun violence taskforce for the president, saying they will ignore any rule, regulation or executive order they find goes against the Constitution, and will not allow federal officers to enforce them, either. (AP Photo/Mail Tribune, Bob Pennell, File)
This Jan. 16 file photo shows John Jackson, co-owner of Capitol City Arms Supply, with an AR-15 rifle for sale at his business in Springfield, Ill. From Oregon to Mississippi, President Barack Obama's proposed ban on new assault weapons and large-capacity magazines struck a nerve among rural lawmen and lawmakers, many of whom vowed to ignore any restrictions and even try to stop federal officials from enforcing gun policy in their jurisdictions. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
Jackson County Sheriff Mike Winters voices his opinion on President Barack Obama’s gun control plans during a news conference on Jan. 16, 2013. From Oregon to Mississippi, President Barack Obama's proposed ban on new assault weapons and large-capacity magazines struck a nerve among rural lawmen and lawmakers, many of whom vowed to ignore any restrictions, and even try to stop federal officials from enforcing gun policy in their jurisdictions. (AP Photo/The Medford Mail Tribune, Jamie Lusch)
This Dec. 28, 2012 file photo shows Roy Shanks with a Smith and Wesson-made variation of the AR-15 rifle that he purchased at the RK Gun Show in the Smokies in Knoxville, Tenn. President Barack Obama's proposed ban on new assaults weapons and large-capacity magazines has struck a nerve among rural lawmen and lawmakers, with many vowing to ignore any new restrictions _ and even try to stop federal officials from enforcing gun policy in their jurisdictions. (AP Photo/Knoxville News Sentinel, Michael Patrick)
FILE - In this Dec. 23, 2012 file photo, Michael Reed, of Cedar Park, Texas, shoots an AR-15 rifle, at Dragonman's firing range and gun dealer, outside Colorado Springs, Colo. From Oregon to Mississippi, President Barack Obama's proposed ban on new assault weapons and large-capacity magazines struck a nerve among rural lawmen and lawmakers, many of whom vowed to ignore any restrictions and even try to stop federal officials from enforcing gun policy in their jurisdictions. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley, File)
Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron leaves his official residence at 10 Downing Street in central London, on his way to the Houses of Parliament to address lawmakers, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
One of America's most important days turns into one of Washington's most glamorous nights. Fashion experts can only guess what the first lady will wear for inaugural events, but they do know what many others will - color, straps and bling. (Jan. 16)
FILE - This July 5, 2009 file photo shows Al Green performing during the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans. Jennifer Hudson sang Green's classic "Let's Stay Together," at an inaugural ball Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, leaving many to wonder why the soul legend wasn't singing his own hit for President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama. In a statement to The Associated Press, his representative said Green had been asked to sing, but scheduling conflicts prevented him from attending Monday's festivities. Green said he'd be honored to sing for the president in the future. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, file)
President Barack Obama bows as he and first lady Michelle Obama, wearing a ruby colored chiffon and velvet Jason Wu gown, gets ready to dance as singer Jennifer Hudson, right, sings Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" at the Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

FILE - In this undated file photo, Josephine County Sheriff Gil Gilbertson stands in his office in Grants Pass, Ore. Gilbertson is one of a growing number of rural sheriffs and lawmakers vowing to ignore any new gun control legislation, or even make it a crime for federal officials to enforce federal gun policy. Gilbertson and others have written to Vice President Joe Biden, who headed a gun violence taskforce for the president, saying they will ignore any rule, regulation or executive order they find goes against the Constitution, and will not allow federal officers to enforce them, either. (AP Photo/Mail Tribune, Bob Pennell, File)

FILE - In this undated file photo, Josephine County Sheriff Gil Gilbertson stands in his office in Grants Pass, Ore. Gilbertson is one of a growing number of rural sheriffs and lawmakers vowing to ignore any new gun control legislation, or even make it a crime for federal officials to enforce federal gun policy. Gilbertson and others have written to Vice President Joe Biden, who headed a gun violence taskforce for the president, saying they will ignore any rule, regulation or executive order they find goes against the Constitution, and will not allow federal officers to enforce them, either. (AP Photo/Mail Tribune, Bob Pennell, File)
This Jan. 16 file photo shows John Jackson, co-owner of Capitol City Arms Supply, with an AR-15 rifle for sale at his business in Springfield, Ill. From Oregon to Mississippi, President Barack Obama's proposed ban on new assault weapons and large-capacity magazines struck a nerve among rural lawmen and lawmakers, many of whom vowed to ignore any restrictions and even try to stop federal officials from enforcing gun policy in their jurisdictions. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
Jackson County Sheriff Mike Winters voices his opinion on President Barack Obama’s gun control plans during a news conference on Jan. 16, 2013. From Oregon to Mississippi, President Barack Obama's proposed ban on new assault weapons and large-capacity magazines struck a nerve among rural lawmen and lawmakers, many of whom vowed to ignore any restrictions, and even try to stop federal officials from enforcing gun policy in their jurisdictions. (AP Photo/The Medford Mail Tribune, Jamie Lusch)
This Dec. 28, 2012 file photo shows Roy Shanks with a Smith and Wesson-made variation of the AR-15 rifle that he purchased at the RK Gun Show in the Smokies in Knoxville, Tenn. President Barack Obama's proposed ban on new assaults weapons and large-capacity magazines has struck a nerve among rural lawmen and lawmakers, with many vowing to ignore any new restrictions _ and even try to stop federal officials from enforcing gun policy in their jurisdictions. (AP Photo/Knoxville News Sentinel, Michael Patrick)
FILE - In this Dec. 23, 2012 file photo, Michael Reed, of Cedar Park, Texas, shoots an AR-15 rifle, at Dragonman's firing range and gun dealer, outside Colorado Springs, Colo. From Oregon to Mississippi, President Barack Obama's proposed ban on new assault weapons and large-capacity magazines struck a nerve among rural lawmen and lawmakers, many of whom vowed to ignore any restrictions and even try to stop federal officials from enforcing gun policy in their jurisdictions. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley, File)
Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron leaves his official residence at 10 Downing Street in central London, on his way to the Houses of Parliament to address lawmakers, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
One of America's most important days turns into one of Washington's most glamorous nights. Fashion experts can only guess what the first lady will wear for inaugural events, but they do know what many others will - color, straps and bling. (Jan. 16)
FILE - This July 5, 2009 file photo shows Al Green performing during the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans. Jennifer Hudson sang Green's classic "Let's Stay Together," at an inaugural ball Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, leaving many to wonder why the soul legend wasn't singing his own hit for President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama. In a statement to The Associated Press, his representative said Green had been asked to sing, but scheduling conflicts prevented him from attending Monday's festivities. Green said he'd be honored to sing for the president in the future. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, file)
President Barack Obama bows as he and first lady Michelle Obama, wearing a ruby colored chiffon and velvet Jason Wu gown, gets ready to dance as singer Jennifer Hudson, right, sings Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" at the Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Al Green: Turned down 'Together' time with Obamas

Print Page Updated: 09:48:40 PM, Tue 22 January 2013

says if things had worked out, it would have been him serenading President and first lady Michelle at the inaugural ball.

Jennifer Hudson sang Green's classic "Let's Stay Together," leaving many to wonder why the soul legend wasn't singing his own hit for the first couple.

In a statement to The Associated Press, his representative said Green had been asked to sing, but scheduling conflicts prevented him from attending Monday's festivities. Green said he'd be honored to sing for the president in the future.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Obama famously sang a snippet of the song at an event last year that Green attended.

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Nekesa Mumbi Moody is the AP's global entertainment and lifestyles editor. Follow her at http://www.twitter.com/nekesamumbi

Tags: michelle obama, global entertainment, democratic party, al green, jennifer hudson, presidential inaugural committee, culture_politics, president of the united states, illinois, grammy award winners, green, president barack obama, barack obama, associated press, family of barack obama, scheduling conflicts, nekesa mumbi, inaugural ball, lady michelle, soul legend, lifestyles editor