Whatever else we may say about politicians, and it usually is deservedly not good, they still know how to reach the voters whom they are trying to rope in through hiring popular music acts.
This year’s
Democratic and Republican national conventions will both feature numerous singers, with both including country music legends for their receptions.
The Democrats, whose party runs August 25-28 in Denver, have Willie Nelson and Jerry Jeff Walker, along with the Black Eyed Peas, Kanye West, N.E.R.D., Jennifer Lopez, and Melissa Etheridge. (One wonders if the rappers will be using their omnipresent “N” word.)
The Republicans, although a party generally with a richer base than the Democrats, have a musical lineup heavier on the blue collar-oriented country music than their political rivals. Their show begins September 1 in St. Paul, MN, and includes country stars Gretchen Wilson, Cowboy Troy, John Rich, and the Charlie Daniels Band, along with non-country acts the Beach Boys and Sammy Hagar.
So far, there is no word where Merle Haggard will be. He, surprisingly,
seemed sympathetic to Hillary Clinton during the primaries, and even wrote a song called
“Let's Put a Woman in Charge” about her. That feeling may not have been mutual, so the Hag may be on tour, although his
official web site has not been updated to include the convention season. This site does promise that the
Hag Editorial is “comming soon,” so we hope its content is sharper than its spelling.
Labels: Charlie Daniels, country music, Cowboy Troy, Democrat, Gretchen Wilson, Hillary Clinton, John Rich, Merle Haggard, national conventions, Republican
