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Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 10:40 PM
Political conventions; local and national musicians weigh in
By Greg Matusak
This year there will be many different people who will try and swing your vote to their own viewpoint. People like friends, family, coaches, columnist, sports stars, actors, play writes, the guy who fixes your phone, and sometimes… even political parties. However, you like myself, are an intelligent child of the 80’s, there is only one way to know who to vote for in any election – LISTEN TO A MUSICIAN.
"This is one of the most critical elections of my lifetime, certainly since I was a young man. I've built up twenty-five years of credibility, hopefully, with my audience. That's something I've tried to put to good use when called upon. It's also something I don't expend lightly."
--- Bruce Springsteen |
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Now granted, growing up and watching way more Mtv than c-span, there was a time that I believed that the President of the United States was chosen much like a Michael Jackson “Beat It” video: two people get their hands tied together for a ceremonial knife fight, they dance, the loser---obviously the worse dancer---concedes, and the winner gives the “you got served” victory speech.
Now as we all know, this is NOT how the elections process of government at all works, otherwise the Iran-Contra hearings would have had a much better soundtrack. People in the music industry have felt it necessary to lend their time and talents to this year’s race. However, musicians such as Bruce Springsteen, Toby Keith, Dave Mathews, and P. Diddy, have now become ambassadors of the political world, trying to turn up political awareness, as they turn up the volume on their amps.
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The people in your neighborhood
This is not just an event that is occurring with big name rock, country, and hip-hop super stars. In Cincinnati you can find musicians lending their names to political causes. For example, on August 20th at the Southgate House, a show entitled “the Imperial Circus” was performed by 19 area bands and 2 local comedians, sponsored by Cincinnati-based group Bands Against Bush. Bands like Jakes Speed and Black and Tan Carpet Band were in fine form. My favorite set of the night besides comedian Brad Thracker was Brian Ewing of “Messerely and Ewing.” As always, Brian is an incredible musician who puts on a great show. The night on the whole was not overly political, although the occasional bass player would yell out, asking, “What do you think of our President? ” while the guitarist re-tuned.
If you like your politics a little more bipartisan, than perhaps you would have enjoyed the Rock The Vote show at Southgate House on August 28 hosted by The Comic Revolution.
The music of the ***** Monkeys and Ray’s Music Exchange were also on board. The ***** Monkeys were a cross between Tenacious-D and Barenaked Ladies. Even though the night was supposed to be “bipartisan and the goal was voter registration,” thanks to ACT, there were more than one “W” joke and there was a particular Mike Allen Masturbation joke that sent the whole evening crashing to the left.
My party is better than your party
When it comes to actually picking a president, each party has a convention with a week’s worth of entertainers to woo me to their side. This year it is not a contest.
Let us compare, shall we: in Boston this year we saw performances for the Democrats by Patti LaBelle, Gerald Levert, BeBe Winans, Wyclef Jean, Brian McKnight, John Mellencamp, the Black Eyed Peas, Carole King, Willie Nelson, and Mavis Staples. Wow! Not Bad.
In New York this year, we saw performances by Brooks & Dunn, Lee Ann Womack, Jaci Velasquez, Third Day, Gracie Rosenburger, Dexter Freebish, Darryl Worley, and Donnie McClurkin.
Dexter Freebish: “faith and fate” |
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Now please tell me – who the hell is DEXTER FREEBISH and why should I care how they vote!!?
At least with Willie Nelson, I understand that we both have tax issues. And Wyclef Jean knows what it is like to be kept down by “the man.” Furthermore, John Mellencamp started poor and ugly and married a super model, much like I one day aspire to.
These are musicians that I relate to. These are musicians I respect. These are musicians I have at least heard of.
I feel that the Republican Party has lost touch with the music listening base that it will need to win this election. Sure, some people look at issues and records, but how is anybody going to win an election with Donnie McClurkin and Gracie Rosenburger when the Democrats have Black Eyed Peas.
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Ouch! – Reality Really Does Bite
At the “Imperial Concert” at the South Gate House last week, one band did a cover of Tracey Chapman’s “Talking ‘Bout a Revolution.” The funny thing about that was that they forgot most of the words.
Now I am not bagging on this particular band, but it sums up my real feelings about musicians and politics. Like anybody you have to listen really closely to the words. Musicians don’t actually have a secret “in” on government issues. They have the same information as you and I. It’s great that they want to help spread the word and get active, just make sure that they know what they are talking “‘bout” before following what that are saying. The REALLY responsible musicians will usually direct you to a website for more information, because it is difficult to get a complete idea through to a crowd during the “breakdown” of a tune and this election is more important than just sound bites and catch phrases, even if they do fit nicely between the bass and drum solo.
Greg Matusak, a local music teacher and musician, writes the Music Scene in each edition of QCF magazine. His column is drawing on his experience in politics, as a long time coordinator and assistant to various campaigns, and music to understand and convey where the two intermingle in Cincinnati’s and the country’s culture.
Links
· BlackAmericaWeb – “Entertainers at the DNC: Is There a Message In Their Music?”
· CNN – “The Politics of Music”
· Free Republic – “Musicians to Appear at RNC Include Sara Evans, Michael W. Smith”
· CityBeat – “Notes for Votes”
· CincyMusic.com
· Vote for Change Tour
Contact Information
· gregm@queencityforum.com
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