First Lady Michelle Obama was clearly in an 'Empire State of Mind' yesterday evening, as she helped introduce honoree
Alicia Keys during the 2015
GRAMMYs on the Hill.
The 15-time GRAMMY-winner was joined by
House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte and
Congressman Jerrold Nadler in accepting awards during Wednesday's ceremony, which each year is dubbed "Washington's most interesting mix of music and politics."
GRAMMY nominee
Hunter Hayes served as the event's Master of Ceremonies, which counted a live piano solo among his many duties. Also performing at The Hamilton last night was a bevy of music talent, including Texas-based singer/songwriter
Robert Earl Keen, GRAMMY-winning jazz and gospel saxophonist
Kirk Whalum, and Brooklyn rockers
American Authors.
In the case of the latter, the foursome found themselves on-stage with some two dozen members of Congress, as everyone engaged in a spirited (if every so slightly off pitch) rendition of the group's hit song 'Best Day of My Life'.
Keys was serenaded by singer
Ledisi and songwriter
Angela Hunte (who helped pen the chart-topping 'Empire State of Mind' with Keys and Jay-Z) and even joined-in for a few verses in closing out the evening.
Today, The Recording Academy will continue the discussion with its 10th annual advocacy day on the Hill, which will see hundreds of music professionals from across the country pay a visit to various lawmakers 'to advance policies that improve the environment for American music'.
It might even just be the
Best Day of [Their Lives].