Posted on 08/04/2004 7:24:30 AM PDT by Leroy S. Mort
NEW YORK (AP) - In an unprecedented series of concerts in nine swing states, more than 20 musical acts - including Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam and the Dixie Chicks - will perform fund-raising concerts one month before the Nov. 2 election in an effort to unseat President Bush.
The shows, which will begin Oct. 1 in Pennsylvania, will take an unusual approach: as many as six concerts on a single day in cities across the states expected to decide the November presidential race. Other stops on the tour are North Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin and the key state in 2000, Florida.
``We're trying to put forward a group of progressive ideals and change the administration in the White House,'' Springsteen told The Associated Press in the most overtly political statements of his 30-year career. ``That's the success or failure, very clear cut and very simple.''
The artists of different generations and genres will tour under the name ``Vote For Change,'' with shows Oct. 1-8. But the money generated will go to America Coming Together, which promises on its Web site to ``derail the right-wing Republican agenda by defeating George W. Bush.''
The anticipated millions of dollars will be spent in the swing states before the presidential election, said ACT president Ellen Malcolm.
The shows will be presented by MoveOn Pac, the electoral arm of the liberal interest group MoveOn.org, with an official announcement expected Wednesday.
There was no immediate word on prices for tickets, which were going on sale for all shows Aug. 21. The shows will pair artists, such as Springsteen and REM or the Dixie Chicks and James Taylor. There will be 34 shows in 28 cities.
Natalie Maines, of the Dixie Chicks, who memorably told a London audience last year that she was ashamed to share her home state of Texas with Bush, echoed a Springsteen comment that this was the most important election of their lives.
``A change is in order,'' Maines said. ``There's never been a political climate like this, which is so the polar opposite of me as a person and what I believe in.''
The idea was hatched by several of the acts' managers, and quickly expanded. ``Once we started talking to each other, ideas started percolating and other artists started reaching out to us,'' said Jon Landau, Springsteen's manager.
Other artists participating in the shows include hip-hoppers Jurassic 5, John Mellencamp, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Babyface, Bright Eyes and the Dave Matthews Band. Most have a history of social activism, from Browne's anti-nuclear concerts to Mellencamp's Farm Aid shows. Pearl Jam front man Vedder was a Ralph Nader backer in 2000.
``At some point, you can't sit still,'' said Vedder, a harsh critic of the Iraq war. ``You can't spend your life, when people are getting killed, without asking serious questions about why.''
Springsteen said he didn't fear any backlash over going public with his personal politics.
``It's a pretty clear-cut decision in November,'' said Springsteen, whose songs have provided a backdrop for some Kerry events. ``We're chipping in our two cents. That's all we're trying to do.''
On the Net:
ACT: http://www.actforvictory.org
MoveOn: http://www.moveon.org
Finnman69 Gathers CDs of Bush Bashing Artists and Stomps them.
as a great leader once said "bring them on"!
ROTFLMAO ... yeah, this ought to turn the tide for Hanoi Boi ...
I vote for just "shut up".
these guys should try writing a hit song. yeesh. is milli vanilli going to put on a concert against bush also??
Bush isnt even that conservative. (no offense, bush)
Eddie is one of the music world's most active crusaders for abortion rights, having killed the child he and a girlfriend conceived when he was a teenager. He still justifies the killing by explaining that if he had had to care for a child, he never could have shared his genius with the world.
This is your brain on drugs.
Yes John, this is YOUR campaign finance reform(CFR).....such fools.
Is any of this somehow a Campaign Finance Reform violation?
``There's never been a political climate like this, which is so the polar opposite of me as a person and what I believe in.''
Sometimes, it’s hard to convey the totally dingbat idiotic tone of your voice when your words are printed.
Not so for Natalie.
I suspect a lot of it is about their fall from the spotlite, since their talents have either dried up or been refused by the new generation.
They should book that niece of Osama bin Laden who is a pop musician. Truth in advertising, you know.
RIGHT ON!Laura Ingraham's book should be read(if they can read)by all of these LOSERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Won't this effort run headlong into the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform? You may campaign, but it has to be in general terms, neither supporting a specific candidate, or actively speaking out in a negative campaign against another candidate. What these performers MAY be permitted to do, is to campaign on ISSUES, even using the name of the political party with which these issues are associated, but not mentioning a specific candidate.
Let's see, abortion on demand right up to parturition, immediate withdrawal from Iraq, restoration of the older taxation rates on income, universal health care, dissolution of the military, greater reliance on the "first responders", reorganize Homeland Security to assure workers' benefits for the employees, full amnesty for anyone who enters the US with or without a visa, let's see, did I miss anything? Oh, yeah, voting rights and diversity.
Gotta disagree with you there. This political climate has been in existance since the 1992 campaign, right through the Clinton years. It's just that the shoe is on the other foot now, and you are just beginning to notice it Ms. Maines.
Losers, lowlife liberal-demokkkRATs and scumbags; all of 'em.
2cents... LOL!! I imagine the tab will be much more, plus the "money" rai$ed.
Unfortunately, your ability to do this comes from the fact people "listened" to your "art". Without your fan base, you would not have been able to do this. You do it because you can. You do it with intent. THAT is what you are all trying to do.
James Taylor... good lord. He hasn't had a hit since when? The last "revolution?"
After subtracting our expenses, agents' fees, performers' and sycophants' drug bills, publicity, taxes, etc., our contribution to the Kerry campaign is $10.11 minus postage. </p>Well, aren't we special?
If these losers only realized how little they matter in the great scheme of things. Pathetic !!!
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