Musicians stumping against Bush
By Larry McShane
Associated Press
A collection of more than 20 prominent musicians, from John Fogerty to Bruce Springsteen to Pearl Jam, joined forces this week calling for President Bush's ouster, announcing a series of fund-raising concerts across nine electoral swing states.
Associated Press
"I feel this is one of the most critical elections in my lifetime," Springsteen told the Associated Press. "This wasn't one that a concerned citizen felt comfortable sitting out."
Recording artists who make up "Vote for Change" are from left, Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard: Boyd Tinsley of the Dave Matthews Band, Jackson Browne; Martie Maguire of the Dixie Chicks, Steven Van Zandt from Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Dave Matthews, Bruce Springsteen, Emily Robison of the Dixie Chicks, Patti Scialfa of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, Bonnie Raitt, Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie, John Mellencamp, Nick Harmer of Death Cab for Cutie and R.E.M's Mike Mills.
Springsteen was joined by a collection of performers that spanned generations and genres: country act the Dixie Chicks, hip-hoppers Jurassic 5, bluesman Keb' Mo' and classic rockers John Mellencamp and Jackson Browne. The artists, touring under the "Vote for Change" banner, will play 34 shows in 28 cities.
Springsteen's concerns and commitment were shared by other performers, including Dave Matthews and his band.
"It's the first time Bruce and the E Street Band ever stood up and made a clear political statement," Matthews said. "This is the first time we've ever stood as a band, unified, and said we want a change."
The shows, which launch 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 in North Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin and Florida.
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 November presidential election, said ACT president Ellen Malcolm.
Tickets go on sale Aug. 21. The shows will be presented by MoveOn Pac, the electoral arm of MoveOn.org. The concerts will pair artists, such as Springsteen and REM, the Dixie Chicks and James Taylor, or Mellencamp and Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds.
