Inaugurating a song

Mathis Winkler

Resa Hempfling’s been there and done that. Twice, to be precise.

In 1993 and 1997, the Newport Coast resident and singer performed at

inaugural balls for President Bill Clinton.

It all began when members of the White House marine band, The

President’s Men, saw her show at a club in Washington, D.C.

They invited her to come out and sing for Clinton. Tonight, as George

W. Bush will celebrate the beginning of his presidency, Hempfling will

entertain guests again. And she’s just as excited as she was the first

time, she said Friday during a phone conversation from the Capitol, where

she’s been staying for several days.

“It’s always a surprise, always a thrill,” the alto jazz singer said.

“It’s a great honor just to get a call to do anything for the president

of the United States. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

Despite a little rain and cold weather, the inaugural bash had been

going since Thursday.

“They had a big function downtown with Ricky Martin,” she said, adding

that fireworks had later fired up the sky.

Security has been tighter than before, Hempfling said. She’s had to

wear security badges, and checkpoints had been set up along the parade

route.

After watching the swearing-in ceremony on her hotel room television,

Hempfling said she would head to the American History Museum in the early

evening to prepare for her appearances at the Michigan Ball.

“Fly Me to the Moon” and “It Had to be You” are among the songs

Hempfling has picked so far. But that’s no indication of her political

convictions, she said.

“I have to just remain very apolitical when it comes to this and go in

as an entertainer,” she said, pointing out that she had bought her

floor-length gown adorned with pearls and beads at Fashion Island.

“You have to bring a little California finesse,” she said, laughing

and adding that the blue and white dress and her red hair will color her

patriotic for the ball.

Although Michigan went with Vice President Al Gore -- and seven other

balls will also take place tonight -- Hempfling said Bush was expected to

stop by for a while.

“I will be more than delighted to shake his hand,” she said, adding

that she’s planning to throw in a couple of Patsy Kline songs for the new

president, who is a fan of the country singer.