Beyoncé to sing at Obama's induction

R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles has been chosen to sing the US national anthem at President Barack Obama's inauguration on January 21.

The performer has been a regular guest at the White House. With her husband, rapper Jay-Z, the chart-topper has been a major donor to Obama's election campaigns.

Four years ago, Knowles serenaded the first couple with Etta James' At Last at the Neighbourhood Inaugural Ball. This time around she gets the The Star Spangled Banner at the inauguration ceremony.

Knowles' presidential performance will not be her most-watched moment of the northern hemisphere winter. She is scheduled to sing at the February 3 Super Bowl, the American football spectacular, watched by what is consistently the largest US television audience of the year.

Country star Kelly Clarkson is scheduled to give a rendition of My Country, 'Tis of Thee. She made headlines by voicing support for Obama in October, just before the November 6 presidential election.

James Taylor, who performed at the Democratic national convention in August, will sing America the Beautiful.

In 2009, Aretha Franklin sang the anthem at the inauguration but it was her hat - with its giant, rhinestoned bow - that left a lasting impression.