As the inaugural parade snakes along Pennsylvania Avenue from Capitol Hill to the White House today, the well-wishers and protesters lining the streets will be jostling for a glimpse of Donald Trump.
But one man – on a platform above the crowds – will be keeping his eyes peeled more than most.
For as the president’s announcer, Steve Ray has the important job of proclaiming the billionaire’s arrival as he and the first lady approach their new home.
The 58-year-old former radio presenter, whose ancestors came from the Scottish Borders, says the moment will be “with few exceptions the biggest honour” of his 40-year career.
But, he insists, it will not beat crossing paths with three of the four Beatles during his days on the airwaves.
As well as the president’s arrival, his role involves announcing the other groups participating in the parade.
It is customary for the presidential party to watch them go past from a viewing stand outside the White House.
There is a 135-page script, but although Mr Ray is making his debut and huge demonstrations are planned, he says he is not nervous.
He will also announce the president’s arrival at the Freedom Ball and continue as Mr Trump’s announcer throughout his term.
To that end, he has recorded several arrival messages in a range of styles which will be played when the president attends events in the future.
He said: “It’s an absolute honour. Can you imagine that out of the blue?
“This is with few exceptions the biggest honour I have ever had in a 40-plus-year career.”
His appointment was not without controversy, however, as is replacing 89-year-old Charlie Brotman, who led the inaugural ceremonies for 60 years.
In that time he announced at 15 parades for 11 presidents, starting with Dwight Eisenhower’s second inauguration in 1957.
Critics have claimed Mr Ray got the unpaid gig because he is a Trump supporter, but he questions the relevance of his political views.
He confirms he drove in the Trump motorcade 18 times in the run-up to the election, including three times for Vice-President Elect Mike Pence, but disagrees that made him part of the campaign team.
“It exposed me to senior people – they heard my story, they obviously heard my pipes,” he says.
“Since they were going to modernise, streamline the parade to begin with, they said ‘now would be a great time to modernise the presentation, let’s have you do these duties’.
“I have never met Mr Trump. I am hoping after the inaugural ball, as is tradition, to have a photograph with the president and vice-president.
“It doesn’t matter if I’m a supporter or not. You very much are apolitical and non-partisan.”
Born in Baltimore, and raised in DC, Mr Ray, whose body had to be rebuilt from the waist down on his right side after a car accident in 2004, also worked in TV and film for many years.
It was in this field he acquired the precision driving skills which ultimately brought him to his latest position.
It also gave him the opportunity to interview stars such as The Beatles, a source of great pride to him.
Mr Ray, whose forbears moved from Scotland to North Carolina and Virginia in the mid-1700s, says: “In my history in radio, I interviewed three of the four Beatles. Guess which one I missed?
“George Harrison. I worked for him, for his company HandMade Films, on a film and the day I had off was the day he visited the set.
“Otherwise, I would have had all four which is a straight flush in Liverpool.”
Asked if the inauguration will beat that, the disability advocate replies: “No. For me, The Beatles were better.”
