David Osborne, a Pittsburg State University alumnus renowned as “The Pianist for the Presidents,” will be performing this week at events and memorial services honoring former President Jimmy Carter.
A series of six days of observances for Carter commenced on Saturday in Georgia, following his passing on December 29 at the age of 100. The tributes will culminate with a state funeral scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m. at Washington National Cathedral.
Osborne, a native of Miami, Oklahoma, earned his master’s degree in music from Pitt State in 1983. He later rose to prominence as a celebrated pianist in Las Vegas, performing at iconic venues such as The Bellagio and Caesar’s Palace.
Osborne’s connection with Carter began at a book signing in Florida shortly after Osborne’s graduation. He presented Carter with an album he had recently recorded, sparking a friendship that lasted decades.
Carter frequently invited Osborne to perform at significant events, including birthday and anniversary celebrations. In July 2021, Osborne played at Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s 75th wedding anniversary, an occasion attended by President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and former first couples Bill and Hillary Clinton, George W. and Laura Bush, and Barack and Michelle Obama.
Reflecting on that invitation, Osborne told the Las Vegas Review-Journal, “Of all the people he could have asked, he called me, and I’m just humbled by it.” His setlist included favorites of the Carters, such as John Lennon’s Imagine, Ray Charles’ Georgia on My Mind, a John Denver medley, Broadway show tunes, and patriotic songs.
At the time, the Carters were celebrated as the longest-living first couple in U.S. history, with Jimmy Carter at 96 and Rosalynn at 93.
In August 2023, Osborne also performed at Rosalynn Carter’s 96th birthday celebration. Throughout his career, he has played for every U.S. president since Carter’s administration, including Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden.
Osborne has performed at approximately 75 presidential events. One of the most memorable was Carter’s 100th birthday celebration held in October at Plains High School in Georgia.
Speaking to the Las Vegas Review-Journal about his experiences, Osborne expressed deep gratitude: “I never felt deserving of this honor. God just put it together for me, and I’m overwhelmed with the beautiful things that have happened to me over my life as a result of my close friendship with Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter. It’s just indescribable what they have done for me.”
Related Topics
- Weekly Free Organ Recitals to Return to Bradford Cathedral
- Christ Church Cathedral Kicks Off ‘Year of the Organ’ with World Premiere of Nutcracker Suite Adaptation
- Barre Phillips, Legendary Jazz Bassist, Passes Away at 90
