Possible Clues:

• The White House's first occupant
• "Cuts Like a Knife" singer Bryan
• John in the White House
• Article holds up American composer
• Second or sixth in a series
• US President, first man at opening of Senate
• See 7-Down
• Richard —, Watership Down author
• John Quincy --, 6th President of the United States
• Publicity surrounding American president