First lady hosts Memphis soul and Justin Timberlake

Maria Puente, USA TODAY | USATODAY

A host of legendary soul stars joined first lady Michelle Obama and scores of schoolchildren at the White House today to explore the history and sound of Memphis soul music.

Sam Moore, Mavis Staples, Charlie Musselwhite, Ben Harper and Justin Timberlake, all of whom are in the lineup for tonight's In Performance at the White House show, joined Obama in the State Dining Room for an interactive student workshop on soul.

"The White House is buzzing with excitement today as we celebrate the rhythmic groove of Memphis soul," declared Obama, dressed in a buttercup yellow pants suit and coral top, as she introduced the musicians. "Yes! Memphis is in the house!"

Staples, the renowned gospel singer, told the students she didn't like to rehearse. "My dad told me that my voice is a gift from God and if I don't use it he'll take it back," reported USA TODAY's Korina Lopez. "Ever since then I was the first one at rehearsal."

Memphis native Timberlake, in a Members-Only style black jacket and dark brown jeans, was his usual energetic self. He bobbed his head, popped-and-locked in his seat and air-played keyboard during the riffs of soul music that punctuated the presentation over the loudspeakers.

Tonight is the 10th In Performance show the Obamas have hosted since taking office, and typically the first lady organizes a workshop for scores of students from around the country to explore whatever musical genre is in the spotlight. Her goal is to enlist stars to help inspire kids to work hard and practice.

"I try to say this to every young person that I encounter that walks through those doors: I realize that none of these folks up here arrived here on the basis of talent alone," she told the students. "They're here because they've been working hard to perfect their craft since they were at least your age and many of them even younger."

Meanwhile, other stars scheduled to perform tonight, including Al Green, Queen Latifah and Cyndi Lauper, were rehearsing elsewhere at the White House.

Obama spilled a little on her husband's musical prowess: "My husband thinks he sounds just like Al Green. Let's just tell him that he does. He is the president."

The performances will be taped and broadcast on April 16 on PBS stations nationwide.