For Patrick Fleming, performing is just another part of his every day routine. But the former Ames resident finds himself playing for thousands of ISU students who want to go see President Barack Obama on Central Campus.

The 31-year-old rocker got a call about a week ago and got the question of a lifetime to play as an opening act before Obama took the stage Tuesday.

“A friend who is organizing this was asking if there was a person who could pump up the crowd,” Fleming said. “My name got tossed around, and Barack’s people called me.”

Fleming had to go through a background check before being able to officially be the opener.

“I got numerous calls from Washington and the head committee for Obama in Iowa. Everything came down to the last minute,” Fleming said. “The whole thing took about a week.”

Fleming was given a 20 minute solo acoustic set to pump up the crowd before Obama appeared. In his set were songs from his own band, The Poison Control Center, and his solo project, Gloom Balloon. And despite his band mates being scattered across the United States, Fleming said they were with him in spirit.

Fleming said his set of songs was meant to inspire people to be a part of Obama’s campaign, and to be excited for having him for another possible four years. Fleming said he hopes Iowa is a state that follows Obama.

Fleming’s bands are not unfamiliar to political crowds though. The Poison Control Center played for a John Kerry event in 2004, as well as other large crowds.

Fleming is also an avid Obama fan, having voted for him last election as well.

“I’ll always remember my first Obama moment. I was playing in Chicago when Iowa gave him the caucus,” Fleming said. “We stopped the show just to announce and celebrate.”

Obama is more than just the right candidate for Fleming, however, he is also an essential part of his and his wife’s life. Fleming’s wife, Ashley Tape Fleming, has Type One diabetes and Obama’s health care plan has been a big part in helping her.

“His health care plan that he has presented to the Senate has helped us a lot,” Fleming said.

Fleming said he hopes ISU students come to see Obama the same way he does and that he was honored to play for a president he is proud of.

“I don’t expect to meet him or anything, but if that happened, that would be awesome,” Fleming said the night of Monday, Aug. 27. “I just hope I can do my job to pump up the audience.”

For more on Fleming and his music, both his band and solo project are expecting releases in 2013.