No "What it Was, Was -- " for Perdue?

Jan. 07, 2009

4:04 p.m.

Andy Griffith will read at Bev Perdue's inauguration Saturday. But not, sadly, from his beloved "What it Was, Was Football," which would be most apropos after a hard-fought political campaign. (" ... both bunches-full wanted that thing, and one bunch got it, and it made the other bunch just as mad as it could be ...")

Ol' Ange is down instead for a "selection written by his wife Cindi Griffin." Caitlin Cary will sing. These and other details of the Governor-elect's big day are below.

From Perdue's press office:

Andy Griffith to Participate in 2009 Inaugural
Ceremony Lineup Set
Raleigh: Andy Griffith, one of North Carolina's favorite native sons, will participate in the 2009 North Carolina Inauguration. Griffith, a native of Mt. Airy, will read a selection written by his wife Cindi Griffith at the 10:30 a.m. swearing-in ceremony of Governor-elect Bev Perdue and the Council of State.
Best known for his role as Mayberry's friendly sheriff Andy Taylor in the 1960s hit 'The Andy Griffith Show,” Griffith has many other credits including a starring role in the 1980s and 1990s courtroom drama, 'Matlock,” several television movies, as well as a number of feature films. He currently lives in Manteo.
In addition to Griffith, acclaimed North Carolina singer Caitlin Cary will sing America the Beautiful and John Bellamy, a 20-year United States Navy veteran from Fayetteville, will perform the National Anthem. The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by 12-year old William Swart of Fuquay-Varina, whose father John is in the National Guard and currently out of state, training for deployment to Iraq later this year.
The 440th Army National Guard Band will perform in the Pre-Inaugural Concert that commences at 10 a.m. in front of the Archives and History – State Library on Saturday, Jan. 10 followed by the Swearing-In ceremony. It will be followed by a parade down Fayetteville Street to the State Capitol beginning at 12:30 p.m. and an Open House at the Executive Mansion from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
On Friday, Jan. 9, the Inaugural Prayer Service at First Baptist Church (corner of Wilmington and Morgan) will be held at 10:30 a.m. with door opening at 10 a.m. All the events are free and open to the public.
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