Obey jams on the harmonica while NIH director plays backup guitar

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. David Obey (D-Wisc.) was the star of Research!America's 14th Annual Advocacy Awards on Tuesday night at the Mellon Auditorium. But it wasn't just for Obey's work promoting health research.

The lawmaker was also the evening's headlining entertainment. Obey took to the stage with National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins for a jamming version of the classic blues tune "Summertime in the City." Collins handled the guitar and vocals. Obey rocked the harmonica, event taking a few sweet and soulfoul solos.

When it came time for Collins to sing, the audience loved his re-written lyrics that highlighted Obey's powerful position as a congressional appropriator, and how the NIH and other researchers appeal to him for support.

Obey's musical talents were a surprise to many in the audience, but not to his wife, Joan, who joined him for the evening. For Mrs. Obey, it was just another night of tunes. As she told a guest during the cocktail hour, Obey has a long set list of rock and roll songs he can do on the harmonica.