Piano man Osborne to play for Bush

Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003 | 8:26 a.m.

Caesars Palace pianist David Osborne's string of presidential performances continues.

The 45-year-old native of Miami, Okla., leaves today for Washington, where he will perform at two private Christmas parties for President Bush, one for the president's friends and one for his family.

"I'm not sure how the engagement came about," Osborne, who has a regular gig at Caesars' Cafe Lago, said. "People come in here all the time and say they know the president. This one guy says he's from Texas and he's going to mention me to George.

"The next thing I know, I got a call last month from the White House saying they were considering using me at one of their Christmas parties."

The party for friends is scheduled for Thursday night. The one for family members will be Sunday.

Osborne, who bills himself as the "Pianist to the Presidents," performed for Bush's father at a media reception in 1992.

During Bill Clinton's eight years in office, Osborne performed for the president four times.

He performed at Ronald Reagan's 80th birthday party a month after the Reagan presidency ended in 1989.

Osborne also is a favorite of former President Jimmy Carter. He recently performed at a party celebrating Carter's 79th birthday in Plains, Ga.

The latest presidential engagement almost didn't come about.

"After they called last month I sent the White House a package of my stuff - CDs, letters and things," Osborne said. "Somehow my information got filed as a group, and I got a letter back telling me they had no room for choral groups or bands. So I just threw the letter away and forgot about it."

At the last minute, he received a message from a presidential assistant.

"(Last week) Catherine Fenton, who arranges social affairs for the White House, e-mailed me and said first lady Laura Bush had listened to two of my CDs, 'Red, White and Blue' and 'Amazing Grace,' and she wanted me to play at the parties."

Osborne says he and his wife, Jeannine, also have been invited to eat with the president.

"I played for Clinton four times, but there might be 300 people around at a public reception," Osborne said. "I've never performed at a private party at the White House.

"I'm very excited. This is quite a deal. Out of 16 parties, no one is playing for two of them."

When Osborne's performances in Washington are finished he has another gig for Ford Motor Co. executives in Detroit, and then he flies to Oklahoma to perform at a benefit for Toys for Tots.