Live from Denver

For many people, electing Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama into the White House is not just part of a political race, it is a movement for change. Supporters of Obama range from students to celebrities. Much of the most vocal support comes from musicians, who have the ability to spread their message easily to their listeners. Music has become an important tool for politicians. The musical artists that the Democratic National Committee invited to play at the DNC were already known supporters of Obama. Artists like Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas (along with John Legend and the Agape Choir) even composed a song based on one of Obama’s speeches. While each artist was rallied behind Obama’s campaign, they all had their individual reasons to support the democratic nominee.

Will.i.am (accompanied by John Legend & the Agape Choir): Will.i.am was truly inspired by Barack Obama. In an ABC News interview he discussed how, flipping through television channels one day, he landed on Barack’s speech in New Hampshire. Barack’s New Hampshire speech was not one of his famous ones, but apparently it really struck a chord with Will.i.am. It inspired him to write a song for the campaign called “Yes we can” (after one of Obama’s main mottos). The song contains sound bytes of Barack giving the speech, along with Will.i.am and other artists singing “Yes we can” harmoniously. Will.i.am stated that he “wants kids to learn the song so that the speech can become as well known as the Gettysburg Address.” He wasn’t bold enough to say that the song would win Barack the presidency—because –as he told newscasters, that is a substantial task. However, it is safe to say that Will.i.am’s performance at the DNC was of great significance to the campaign.

Sheryl Crow: Sheryl Crow believes that Barack Obama is the only “candidate that is speaking to the beliefs that this country was founded on.” She is a passionate Obama fan in every respect and is concerned with “changing the future” instead of “repeating the past.” Although Sheryl has not written a song based on one of Barack’s speeches, she is just as adamant about the democratic campaign as Will.i.am. Like many Democrats, she thinks that Washington has been corrupt for too long, and that any argued “lack of experience” Obama may have will only help us rid ourselves of the old Washington and bring needed change into the nation’s capitol. Sheryl is not only a passionate Democrat, but an ardent environmentalist. Her webpage offers a link to a site that sells canvas grocery bags to advocate a more sustainable lifestyle. She also supports the website “stopglobalwarming.org.”

Stevie Wonder & Melissa Etheridge: Both of these artists did not widely publicize their roles in the Democratic National Convention. They did, however, draw many people to the event in both Denver and on TV. Melissa Etheridge did an interview with Fox News, where she expressed the fact that she is very interested in politics and that she has become “way left.” Initially, Etheridge was a Dennis Kucinich supporter, but it is evident now that her support lies with Barack Obama. Stevie Wonder has even less of a presence in the political arena. However, one would assume his performance at the DNC would be a symbol of his support for Barack Obama and the Democratic Party.

Lyrics are what send an overlying message, but melody is what give music meaning. For many people, politics evoke strong and overwhelming emotions. Music does the same thing. Combining the two creates a potentially powerful dynamic. Musicians can help bring about a difference in the vote that a politician might not necessarily be able to do on his or her own. The artists performing must realize the potential impact their music can have when they agreed to perform live at the Democratic National Convention in Denver; and it may just do the trick!

Live From the Twin Cities

Hurricane Gustav managed to cancel Monday’s line up, which included the Beach Boys, but the Republicans still had their rally. Unlike the Democratic National Convention, the Republicans had a hard time finding bands and musicians alike who are popular with the younger, more “hip” crowd. Or perhaps they aren’t concerned with attracting non-republicans. Many of the performances around town have been advertised exclusively to fellow conservatives. As one Star Tribune reporter found out, one could barely get into a Republican gathering with a press pass, let alone any other form of I.D. With a lack of promotion to anyone not Republican, there was a certain feeling of being exclusive. It’s like a club, and if you don’t get it, don’t come. What I do get is the consistent theme of country running throughout this musical lineup. While some of the musicians are more demure, there are plenty who aren’t holding back when they wave the redneck flag. Speaking of rednecks…

Gretchen Wilson has a song named just that, “Redneck Woman.” One of the newer country music stars to hit the scene, Wilson already has a few country honors under her belt. Her website boasts pictures of rusty old pick-up trucks, dogs, and the redneck woman herself in holy jeans. Really, they have lots of holes in them. She sang “Our America” alongside Cowboy Troy and John Rich, who are also country stars. The lyrics of “Our America” take parts from the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the National Anthem and mesh them together to make a not so subtle song for patriotism. Wilson commented that it was an honor to close Vice Presidential nominee Palin’s speech.

LeAnn Rimes, quite possibly the biggest name among these artists, astonishingly didn’t draw much attention. The media comments on her only in passing, and her own website, with news entries as recent at 9/2, has no record of anything concerning the RNC. Is someone on her payroll being lazy?

Sammy Hagar of Van Halan fame also showed up at the historical First Avenue bar and club. His musical career has no shortage of songs and deeds which would make any conservative cringe. Even Hagar himself showed signs of confusion during his performance. He made awkward jokes which none of the conservatives present understood nor found funny, and his musical hits, which would be accepted with a raucous cheers any other place and time, were met with lukewarm applause. He actually tried to turn the performance into a fund-raising event for Hurricane Gustav, but the conventioneers only sipped their martinis.

The Bellamy Brothers showed up in support of the Republicans. They tended to stay with the pack known mostly by country and gospel fans, but that isn’t much of a surprise to anyone. It is almost a given that gospel and country singers are popular with the same crowds who favor the Republicans. They share the same views and values, etc. No wonder the brothers from Florida were booked. The country gospel duo goes way back with the likes of Bob Dylan, but lately have leaned towards praising God and denouncing anything that goes against the scriptures.

Charlie Daniels, who gained fame for his song “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”, has never been restrained when it comes to politics. Way back in the day he was an open supporter of Geaorge W. Bush and hailed the Iran hostage crisis as a heroic moment for America. However, he has swung the other way before. He did support Jimmy Carter, initially.

Daugherty also made an appearance. However, they were not in support of the Republican party. Earlier in the month, Daugherty performed at the Democratic National Convention. So why are they straddling the two parties? Daugherty is actually in support of a political campaign called “ONE Vote”, which promotes building bridges between Democrats and Republicans in order to solve problems such as world hunger and AIDS. The organization has Democratic and Republican co-chairs and receives support from both parties and religious groups. So it seems that Daugherty was not in support of McCain, but in support of unity for a larger cause. A quote from the website, www.onevote08.org, says ONE Vote will “mobilize voters to ensure that the next American president is committed to using “strategic” power to end global poverty and keep America strong.”