Country Music Singers Unafraid to Get Political
Patriotic Country Stars Mix Music and Politics, Encourage Voting
Belmont University and Nashville, Tenn., the undisputed home of country music, recently played host to the 2008 election's first presidential debate. Greeting the presidential hopefuls at the Oct. 7 event was a star-studded, welcoming committee that included country-music royalty Kix Brooks, half of the platinum-selling Brooks and Dunn, and Vince Gill, who's won 17 Grammy Awards to date and more Country Music Association Awards than any other artist.
The October debate also had at least one country star, Josh Turner, among its handpicked audience, which was largely chosen by the Republican and Democratic parties. Moreover, the night prior to the big event, perennial country-favorite Dolly Parton sang for the candidates at a pre-debate party at the Tennessee Governor's Mansion.
Mixing Country Music and Politics
Although some entertainers choose not to share their personal views with the public, country singers remain among the most visible when it comes to mixing music and politics. John Rich, for instance, one-half of the Big & Rich duo, performed a song he wrote for the Republican party, Raisin' McCain, on the CBS Early Show on Oct. 6. The singer previously campaigned for McCain and was willing to show his support on national TV.
Meanwhile, on Feb. 9, 2008, singer Collin Raye-whose list of country-radio hits includes I Can Still Feel You, Little Red Rodeo, My Kind of Girl, I Think About You, One Boy and Love, Me-didn't shy away from performing at a barbecue/rally for then-presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee.
When Raye's personal manager, Pat Melfi, was contacted by a reporter to question whether the February performance represented an official endorsement, Melfi reportedly responded via e-mail, saying, "(Raye) is performing at an event and there is a huge difference." (It is interesting to note, though, that Raye, a native of Arkansas, has known Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, for some years.)
Country Music Singers Show Patriotism, Promote Voting
Lately, in the November 2008 issue of Redbook, a women's magazine published by the Hearst Corporation, country singers Reba McEntire, Martina McBride and Taylor Swift share the cover of an issue that aims to celebrate freedom, patriotism and the American experience.
Inside, a host of country artists express their views on what it means to hail from the U.S. Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush of the hit-country duo Sugarland, for example, remind Redbook readers that: "Our country has a brilliant First Amendment. We can speak our minds without fear. ..."
And in his own message to readers, country singer-songwriter Jack Ingram says, "To people who think their vote doesn't matter, I have one thing to say to you: Florida." (The comment is a reference to the 2004 U.S. presidential election, where Florida voters were a pivotal force.)
Meanwhile, new country-music hitmaker and U.S. Navy veteran James Otto checks in with Redbook readers, too, declaring, "As an American, I value the rights to express my opinions, practice my religion and elect our leaders. Sadly, it's easy to take these things for granted, because most of us have never been deprived of them. ..."
Country Music Radio, Country Fans Will Boycott
While none of the aforementioned country-music performers have experienced any career fallout from their decisions to perform for or publicly support a given political candidate, the members of the Dixie Chicks-Natalie Maines and sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Robison-weren't so fortunate, thanks to a March 5, 2003, comment that Maines made during a London concert performance. The off-the-cuff remark heard 'round the country-music world expressed the trio's disappointment in hailing from the same state as U.S. President George W. Bush. Maines made it clear the Dixie Chicks were "ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."
To outraged country fans, the comment was perceived as downright anti-American and anti-Southern. Consequently, Maines issued an apology of sorts during a March 14 press conference, stating, "As a concerned American citizen, I apologize to President Bush because my remark was disrespectful. ..." But country fans weren't ready to forgive and they made sure country music radio knew it.
Only a few months earlier, in December 2002, Maines aggravated some country fans when she commented that singer Toby Keith's hit country song, Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue-a song that Keith penned about his late father's patriotism and faith in America-was "ignorant, and it makes country music sound ignorant."
Keith responded in kind by saying he didn't think Maines' songwriting talents were anything to write home about, and a public feud between the two artists ignited. Then, in August 2003, Keith announced he was finished with the feud "because he's realized there are far more important things to concentrate on."
Community Service via Country Music
Most recently, Keith appeared with the Chicks in a global warming ad campaigned designed to show that people who disagree about most things-such as the Oklahoma-born Keith and the Dixie Chicks-can agree about this particular environmental issue.
No matter which country artists fans and country radio may choose to boycott, country musicians in general seem to have no fear when it comes to publicly supporting a cause or candidate. The First Amendment, after all, ensures the government won't interfere with one's right to be heard; thus, it's likely these civic-minded artists will keep adding their country music and personal viewpoints to the political mix.
Doing so, after all, is downright American, no matter which party or stance one chooses to endorse. And it's likely that most, if nothing else, can at least agree with longtime country star Clint Black, who has said, "I don't think of myself as 'proud' to be an American, (but) rather 'lucky' to be one. I have faith that although small injustices will always plague humanity, the greatest injustices will be opposed by Americans."
Sources
Dixie Chicks Biography. Retrieved Oct. 14, 2008, at http://www.8notes.com/biographies/dixie_chicks.asp
Dixie Chicks singer apologizes for Bush comment, March 13, 2003. Retrieved Oct. 14, 2008, at www.cnn.com.
Redbook, November 2008 issue, Hearst Corporation.
Toby Keith, Wikipedia. Retrieved Oct. 14, 2008.
Williams, Jackson. Rising Country Star Collin Raye Sings for Evolution-denier Mike Huckabee, Jan. 23, 2008, The Huffington Post. Retrieved Oct. 14, 2008, at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jackson-williams/rising-country-star-colli_b_82912.html?page=2
November 2008 issue of Redbook
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Wynonna Judd in Redbook
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Trisha Yearwood in Redbook
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Taylor Swift in Redbook
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Country star/Navy veteran James Otton in Redbook
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