The band went on indefinite hiatus in 2005 so that O'Malley could focus on his political career, and the governor feigned concern about performing again. "Mr. Mayor, I wouldn't want to hurt my gravitas," O'Malley said to D'Alesandro.
He then paused and said, "Give me two seconds, I'll be right over there." A few minutes later, O'Malley said: "I really want to thank my guys in the band. It's really hard for us to give up the occasional night.
But we were willing to do it because, by golly, our state needed us." O'Malley's March played three songs, no doubt chosen for their symbolic impact. First they covered Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are a-Changin.
'" Next was a song called "The Broad Majestic Shadow," which O'Malley dedicated to several people, including his late father. O'Malley's March concluded with a surprising choice, a cover of Green Day's catchy but sullen breakup song "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)," which the band reworked into a rousing party anthem. Before the show-stopping performance, O'Malley took the podium, flanked by his wife and four children and Lt.
Gov. Anthony Brown and Brown's wife. "I really want to thank all of you for coming out tonight and making a new day for the state of Maryland," O'Malley said.
"We are not going to let you down." Aides to the governor had promised a slightly less glitzy affair than the $900,000 ball four years ago for Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.
, Maryland's first Republican governor in 36 years. Tickets cost $50, half the price of admission for Ehrlich's party. Initially, the inaugural committee wanted to charge $75, but O'Malley insisted that the price be reduced, said Rick Abbruzzese, a spokesman for the governor.
Just over 8,000 tickets were sold, he said. By 8:30 p.m.
, thousands of revelers packed two floors of the vast Baltimore Convention Center, and the neo-swing band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy had the crowd in the main ballroom dancing. Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller was impressed with the size of the event.
"It's the largest I've seen, and the most enthusiastic," Miller said. "With change comes optimism." Donors to the ball contributed as much as $25,000, Abbruzzese said, and the governor's office planned to disclose the price tag for the festivities at a later date.
The ball, which began at 7 p.m. at the convention center, rewarded supporters handsomely for their contributions.
Besides the Saw Doctors, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, rhythm and blues group Kool the Gang and Latin artist Eddie Palmieri Jr. were booked to perform. Food from 75 restaurants was provided, and bars served a variety of wine and beer, including bottled Guinness draught.
The rafters of the convention center were bathed in red and yellow light, to symbolize Maryland's flag, and a video screen showed highlights from O'Malley's time as Baltimore mayor and clips from his campaign commercials. Buddy Rogow, director of the Maryland lottery and a veteran of several inaugural balls, applauded O'Malley's choice of venue and variety of food. "The convention center is a wonderful facility," Rogow said.
"The food is absolutely wonderful. It's the taste of Maryland.
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