Analysis: Rocking the battleground states By Pat NasonUPI Hollywood ReporterPublished 8/4/2004 9:21 PMLOS ANGELES, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Linda Ronstadt may have lost a singing gig for blending political expression with her music, but more than 20 top musical artists -- including Dave Matthews Band, the Dixie Chicks, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp -- are planning to fan out in electoral battleground states in October for concerts intended to work against the re-election of President George W. Bush.The tour, titled Vote for Change, will feature performances in nine states -- including Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The lineup of artists also includes Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Keb' Mo' and James Taylor.Organizers said all the artists were donating their services.Although Springsteen has sung for most of his career about social problems and themes, it is rare -- if not unprecedented -- for him to lend his voice to so explicit a political cause as the unseating of a president. During his 2003 tour, he advised audiences to read Al Franken's best-selling book "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them" -- and even introduced Franken from the stage at Shea Stadium during the final stop of the tour."I felt like I couldn't have written the music I've written and been on stage singing about the things that I've sung about for the last 25 years and not taken part in this particular election," said Springsteen in a statement promoting the concert series.
blending political expression with her music
Proceeds from the tour go to America Coming Together, another liberal political action group. "A vote for change is a vote for a stronger, safer, healthier America," Matthews said. "A vote for Bush is a vote for a divided, unstable, paranoid America."
Originally posted by Ripsnort "A vote for Bush is a vote for a divided, unstable, paranoid America." Oxymoron.
Originally posted by Hortlund Sad to see that. I have always bought Springsteens records and not downloaded them because I love his music and I want to support him.Well, that just changed, not the loving his music part, but the reluctance to dl his songs as mp3s in the future.
Originally posted by VOR Ahh, rock stars. Is there anything they DON'T know?
