Hundreds of thousands of people from every corner of the United States crammed onto the grounds of the National Mall Sunday, getting the opportunity to take in a concert of historic proportions. On hand to offer up songs of hope and encouragement to President-elect Barack Obama and his family were the biggest names in music – Beyoncé, Bono, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen and Shakira, to name a few. There were mass choirs, and instrumentalists and inspirational speeches to mark the opening inauguration ceremonies of America’s 44th president, the nation’s first African-American commander in chief. “What gives me the greatest hope of all is not the stone and marble that surrounds us today, but what fills the spaces in between,” Obama said. “It is you, Americans of every race and region and station who came here because you believe in what this country can be and because you want to help us get there. . . . And as I prepare to assume the presidency, yours are the voices I will take with me every day I walk into that Oval Office.” Although U.S. Park Police and the National Park Service have shunned giving estimates about crowd size – since they were blasted for what appeared to be a major undercount at the Million Man March in 1995 – a senior security official told CNN that there were at least 300,000 people.

Michael Strahan could re-join Giants, according to report

Retired NFL defensive end Michael Strahan could become a member of the Super Bowl champ Giants again, reports the New York Daily News. The paper cites a source said to be close to the Pro Bowler in its article that came after defensive end Osi Umenyiora suffered a season-ending knee injury this past weekend. Strahan currently has a position as a Fox studio analyst. While on vacation in Europe, the popular retiree would only say that he hasn’t been contacted about the possibility of re-joining his old squad: “I haven’t heard from anybody else, so to say if I would or wouldn’t is premature. So I’m enjoying my retired life right now.” Team co-owner Steve Tisch tells the New York Post that he’d “absolutely” like for Strahan to wear a uniform again in ’08.

Maurice Greene, Warren Sapp will dance “With Stars”

Former Olympic sprinter Maurice Greene and rotund, retired NFL tackle Warren Sapp will shake it up – but, hopefully, not together – on the new season of “Dancing With the Stars.” Sapp, a Super Bowl winner with Tampa Bay, and Greene, a gold medalist in the 100-meter dash at the 2000 Games in Athens have signed on, along with singer Toni Braxton and others to compete in choreographed routines before a live audience. The new season’s lineup was announced Monday and will begin airing on ABC at 8 p.m. Sept. 22.

Stars, 3,000 fans attend late soul singer’s memorial

About 3,000 fans of the late Isaac Hayes gathered in Memphis on Monday to remember the soul music legend. Hayes died Aug. 10 at his home after suffering what his doctor believes to have been a stroke. “What would you say if you were flying into Memphis and they said you are about to land at Isaac Hayes International Airport ?” U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen asked the audience at the four-hour service, drawing applause. Funk icon Bootsy Collins and actor Richard Roundtree, who starred in the film Shaft that brought Hayes his biggest musical hit in the ’70s, both attended the memorial. Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson spoke fondly of the composer, who had become familiar to a new generation of fans as the voice of character Chef on Comedy Central’s “South Park.” Jackson called Hayes “a lovely man,” praising the singer for his activism in literacy and education as far away as Ghana, where he was named a king. Actors Denzel Washington, Tom Cruise and Wesley Snipes attended a private service in Hayes’ memory on Sunday.

Oprah continues reign as top TV earner.

TV Guide reports that Oprah Winfrey is still queen of the ratings and takings. The talk show diva has pulled in $384 million from her talk show, according to the publication. The gross profit makes Winfrey TV’s top-earning celebrity.

Singer signs on for “Dancing With the Stars.”

Singer Toni Braxton is apparently feeling much better since her cancelled string of Las Vegas concert performances, due to a heart condition. The vocalist has signed on to appear on TV’s “Dancing With the Stars.” Braxton, whose “Revealed” show was enjoying a successful run of Vegas dates this spring before she fell ill, will compete among other celebs. Viewers decide which duo of stars are best in performing choreographed routines before a live audience.

Fiddy, child, hang out for first time since legal dispute. Rapper 50 Cent, who’s been back and forth in various courtroom beefs with his ex, has retrieved his son Marquise for visitation. The rapper’s former lover, Shaniqua Tompkins, had reportedly argued against letting the child see his dad since a fire at their home, which she alleged that Fiddy caused. Marquise and his dad are expected to spend time together until next week when 50 leaves the country to film a movie. Tompkins and Fiddy are due back in court on another matter next month.