No Country for Our Country's DNC
With so many pop and rock stars going country, it's hard to believe that no country artists have been booked for the Democratic National Convention in Denver. The New York Times reports that because of Barack Obama's youthful charisma, the DNC is the place to be for music. Some bands are playing the convention, some are playing private rallies and fundraisers. Sugarland did perform during a preliminary event at Red Rocks Amphitheatre to call attention to environmental issues, but none of the others are country. Kanye West, Chris Daughtry, Black Eyed Peas, Fall Out Boy, Moby, Rage Against the Machine. All good bands, I know. But still. What is this country coming to when politicians lean away from Nashville?
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Clark says:
Speaking out against Republicans sure doesn’t help a country artist’s career. Just ask the Dixie Chicks.
Lori says:
Country’s probably not “good enough” for B.O. @@
LORI
flutterfly says:
Or is it that country music’s leaning away from the Dems? Like Clark says there’s probably a lot of residual fear about the country base being turned off by active support for Barack Obama and the Democrats after the Dixie Chicks. That fear’s surviving no matter how low the current administration’s approval rating is. Toby Keith may be a declared Democrat but it’s safe for him because his jingoistic pandering in Shock N Y’All seems to have immunized him.
Charlene says:
They can’t bear/are not dared to support Democrats. Or, they all are Republicans.
Tamarindo says:
Truth is, they (Country artists) are just scared to state their political affiliation if it’s not Republican. Pure and simple.
B.W. LaRoy says:
I didn’t even read this article and I’m commenting this comment…Those polical type of people are not about country music and country music wouldn’t EVEN think of using politics to make a buck…now would it?
Poli-Ticks says:
Somehow I don’t think Obama is a country fan or fan of most of the other acts listed.
How many Presidents were country music fans?
Poli-Ticks says:
Fall Out Boy? LOL They must be using them to represent Bush.
VLM says:
Well Toby Keith came out supporting Obama and I heard Tim McGraw is also a democrat.
Dee says:
Country artists are afraid of being ‘dixiechicked” by the country music fans/stations. Really, politics & religion should remain a personal, private choice.
Chris N. says:
In mainstream country, only a very established artist like Tim or Toby is allowed to even whisper the fact that he’s a Democrat. For anyone else it would be career suicide.
Note what Jennifer Nettles told Billboard the other day when asked if she’s a Democrat: “We don’t say. We stay away. It’s like honey, what do you want to be, a pariah? What do you want to be, crucified?”
Kevin says:
Uhhhh, Clark, the popularity and success of the Chicks has increased dramtically since they spoke out against the war…You have it exactly backwards. Speaking out always pays off in the end. :)
Country Boy says:
It may not be up to the artist. Some have contracts so tight they are legally bound NOT to make political statements.
On the other hand, look at the lyrics of some of the independent label artists and you will see them writing songs specifically about political issues.
Ms. Feathers says:
Probably because any “country” acts in Nashville are from the wrong Country - namely, the USA. Now if there were any “country” acts from France, Germany, Iran, N. Korea - they’d be front and center at the DNC. >wink!<
Personally, I prefer that musicians (and actors and other celebs) keep their political affiliations to themselves and keep on singing about “lovin’ and livin’ and good-hearted women and family and God.”
Catherine says:
They played Brooks and Dunn’s “Only In America” tonight right after Obama’s speech at the convention. I thought that was pretty cool.
AllisonKraussFan says:
I heard Martina mcbride, gretchen, leanne rimes, john rich,brooks n dunn, & sara evans are all performing at the Republican convention. A rumor is started that Carrie Underwood may also be performing there- which is great! :) Either way– I support your right to choose whoever you like- and no one has the right to judge anyone for their political or religious beliefs. If you are a decent person– who cares who you vote for. It doesn’t say anything about who you are as a person.
Real American says:
Beg to differ. While the Republicans aren’t perfect, the fact is that the Democratic Party is against everything most country music fans value. Things like family, honest work, religion, gun ownership and the right to defend your family and home, school choice,and small government. Country music has traditionally represented those of us, like me, who value these issues. Like many, I’d strongly prefer not to know the political opinions of individual country singers (do we really want to listen to them spout off like Hollywood celebrities?). As a conservative, I won’t buy music from those like Sugarland and Toby Keith who support candidates whose values are so contrary to mine. Does that mean they won’t be successful or make a ton of money? Probably not. But they won’t make a dime off of me.
Chris N. says:
“I’d strongly prefer not to know the political opinions of individual country singers …”
But what if those nasty Democrats are sneaking evil subliminal liberal messages into their songs? If you don’t know which party they’re in, how will you know if they’re brainwashing you with their Satanic message of hope? How could you identify “She’s a Hottie” and “All I Want to Do” as the hate-filled left-wing manifestos they truly are?
Dana says:
I agree with Clark. Country artists are more leery to speak out after the Dixie Chicks did. But to me, it doesn’t matter who they support. I like them for their music not for what they do or do not believe in.
Jack says:
Alison Bonaguro: please shut up. To conclude that the Democrats don’t want country music artists at their convention because none performed is the product of faulty reasoning. As many others have pointed out here, another far more convincing reason is that country artists have learned the hard way that to support the Democrats is to commit country career suicide.
Laurie says:
Well after Kanye’s horrifying behavior at the VMA’s, and Obama’s well-publicized statement regarding it, the DNC would do well to CANCEL KANYE WEST’s appearance. Hasn’t he embarassed himself, his family, friends, race, and even his political party enough yet to publicly experience some kind of consequences for his actions? He should be replaced with an artist who knows how to behave appropriately and with the class and grace suited to an appearance from a President … Beyonce and Taylor Swift immediately come to mind.