Tulsa man to sing national anthem

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- A Tulsa man will sing the national anthem Saturday at one of the inaugural balls for George W. Bush.

Joe Adams, a member of the Tulsa Opera Chorus since 1995, got the job while visiting a sister in the Washington, D.C. area at Christmastime.

He dropped off a recording of his version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the Bush transition office, along with a biography and a photo. He received an acknowledgment of receipt in the mail, then got a call from organizers of one of the inaugural balls.

Adams has performed the national anthem at several events, including several Tulsa Oilers and Tulsa Drillers games, at the opening of the 1997 U.S. Jaycees' National Convention, and at the opening ceremonies of the 1998 Special Olympic Games.

"I guess I've become kind of a national anthem maven," said Adams, who serves as the veterans' representative for U.S. Rep.

Steve Largent, R-Okla. "That's all I've been asked to sing at the ball, but who knows? Maybe I'll get the chance to slip in an aria or something."

Adams will perform at the ball being held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington.