Richard Nixon is n’t considered America ’s most charming prexy . He sure as shooting was n’t even in the track for that honor at the height of his Watergate controversy , which is where he was on this twenty-four hours in 1974 . Seven of his former government officials had been indicted less than a week before , and the grand jury had distinguish Nixon as a co - conspirator .
But on this twenty-four hour period , 42 age ago , he still had a job to do , and that involve host White House dinner for various mathematical group and garter . On March 7 , Nixonwelcomedthe National Governors ’ Association , including then - Governor of California Ronald Reagan . Singer and Nixon admirer Pearl Bailey — whom Nixon haddubbedthe prescribed “ Ambassador of Love”—provided the amusement for the nighttime .
During the festivities , Bailey pull the president up on stage — andhe was more prepared to participate than most would have been . Unbeknownst to many , Nixon was anaccomplished musicianwho could work the piano , accordion , fiddle , saxophone , and clarinet . He even wrote his own concerto titled “ Richard Nixon Piano Concerto # 1 . ” Nixon showed off his acquisition on theJack Paar Programin 1961 :
So when Bailey asked him to perform with her that night , he accommodate .
“ You do n’t play as well as I sing , ” the vocalist told him . “ But I do n’t sing as well as you rule . ” Undaunted , Nixon banged out a duo of somewhat basic tunes , start up with “ Home on the Range . ”
“ Mr. President , I want to sing a song , not ride a horse , ” she tell him . Obligingly , he moved on to “ Wild Irish Rose ” and “ God Bless America ” and participated in some playful banter as they worked through the tunes .
Reagan pronounced the performance " dead tops , " while theWashington Postcalledit “ The Dick and Pearl Show , ” acknowledging that the president had supervise to draw care by from “ Watergate , the get-up-and-go crisis , troubles in the Middle East and the saving . ” And , he was rather wizard — at least for one dark .
