[bballdad]

I am tired of hearing from Rage Against The Machine and The Silversun Pickups about how they don't want their music being played or talked about by conservative politicians. I don't know the details of the law, but I assume when you sell your music it becomes "public domain" and can be played without your permission. I can only imagine the outrage from the left if the situation was reversed. They would be calling for boycotts and demanding apologies. Why do these artists assume that just because they gain some success as an artist, we care about their political views. Once again, anything to detract from the real issues at hand.

[NapRover]

I guess it's the changing times. Back in the day, Joan Baez never had to fear her music would be played at a KKK rally. Nixon wouldn't have used Country Joe & the Fish's anthems.
As a former starving musician I would have been glad for whoever played my songs, as long as I got a little publicity and money out of it. Most garage band guys felt that way I think. But once you get rich and famous, you get full of yourself and more sensitive that your music is not exploited for causes you don't support.
If I were Ryan, I'd go for some Ted Nugent songs. Everyone can relate with 'Wang Dang, Sweet Poontang', can't they? Heartwarming, tender love ballads like 'Stranglehold' and "Dog Eat Dog' ought to warm up the hearts of all.

[Domi]

Don't forget about "Fred Bear" for the outdoors fans. :)

[Zunardo]

There's an interview on YouTube with Eric Moore of The Godz where he makes the interesting comment that kids (and musicians) today have no music they can use to rebel against The Establishment with, because the parents and conservatives have already been there and back - the mainstream version of rumspringa for some, if you will.

Yesterday's leftist protest songs are today's Fox News background theme music. Oh, the irony.

[bballdad]

Good point.

[docthehun]

On behalf of my Dayton friend, "He ain't heavy, he's my brother!" That seems to be a pretty good starting point. But then, I'm a setimental old fart! :)

[Zunardo]

Originally Posted by NapRover

Nixon wouldn't have used Country Joe & the Fish's anthems.

Oh, I dunno - I can picture him listening and tapping his feet while in the Oval Office. Only the Secret Service knows for sure.

And before it evaporated, I was going to say "are you sure you're not confusing Rage Against The Machine with NWA?" ;)

I sense a trend - Republicans can drive the left blind with "Rage" - tell them you're fans of their music, and you wanna buy their next CD! :D

Good point on the "struggling musician to fame and fortune". And Mr. Morello has honed his musical composition chops recording Will Ferrell movie soundtracks? Nothing like cashing in on talent (which he obviously has), as long as you don't mind getting paid with filthy capitalist bucks.

He will know he's REALLY hit the big time when the auto manugacturers negotiate for one of his tunes as background for the latest model sports car targeted at men who value their rugged independence (".... you are your own man - you know the vehicle for you - nobody can tell you what do ...... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ! ) ...... well, you get the idea.

The scary thing is, I'm sure one of the grey-flannel suits have already thought of it first.



* * * * * * * * *

(in my best Casey Kasem voice) ........this musical long-distance dedication goes out tonight to all you True Believers, blue and red:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYMAtbq0bjY

Now, that's tunage we can agree on. Rock the vote! :)

[MrTrackMski]

Musicians are tax payers. They also have a right to vote. They have the right to freedom of speech.I defend those rights.
HOWEVER: they have an advantage that I don't have. They can use the stage/radio/tv/etc to express their views. I for one have limited access to express my views. Not enough people read JJ HUDDLE! They have more advantages than I have.
So: the problem rests with those who hear/see the musician's political views. How much weight do you give them? Who are they? I have to weigh those factors. The challenge rests with me. What do I want to believe?
Sad to say IMHO: people in the entertainment world are worshiped by too many people. If that "star" says that the earth is flat, a number of people will buy into it. Some people get their news from Comedy Central. Jay Leno and Dave Letterman convey news for the voters.
Voting is not a "funny matter". Voting should not be taken lightly. But IMHO, too many people let the world of entertainment guide their choice of life styles....including that of voting.

[DGUtley]

Originally Posted by MrTrackMski

Musicians are tax payers. They also have a right to vote. They have the right to freedom of speech. I defend those rights. HOWEVER: they have an advantage that I don't have. They can use the stage/radio/tv/etc to express their views. I for one have limited access to express my views. Not enough people read JJ HUDDLE! They have more advantages than I have.

Agree.

So: the problem rests with those who hear/see the musician's political views. How much weight do you give them? Who are they? I have to weigh those factors. The challenge rests with me. What do I want to believe?

I grew up listening to Springsteen since I was in Jr. High. All the way back to Greetings. I thought through the late 70's and 80's that he spoke to me - growing up dirt poor in the mahoning valley as it all came crashing down. Telling us that we needed to rise up, to do it ourselves, that nobody was going to do it for us. When he campaigned for Obama, it was down and out -- vote for Obama b/c you like my music. Alot of them did that. I would've thought that Bruce had more respect for his audience than to think that we'd do that.

Sad to say IMHO: people in the entertainment world are worshiped by too many people. If that "star" says that the earth is flat, a number of people will buy into it. Some people get their news from Comedy Central. Jay Leno and Dave Letterman convey news for the voters. Voting is not a "funny matter". Voting should not be taken lightly. But IMHO, too many people let the world of entertainment guide their choice of life styles....including that of voting.

Great post, great sentiments.

[MrTrackMski]

I forgot to mention this:
Where does the leader in the White House go for an interview?
Does he go before the White House news corps?
Does he go on national tv/cable news programs?
No: he chooses to be interviewed on "Entertainment Tonight". I wonder how much time will be spent on government spending, the national debt, unemployment, the economy, etc.

[DGUtley]

Perhaps, just perhaps, the bloom is off the rose and he's afraid that they might actually ask real questions.

[bethere]

Originally Posted by DGUtley

Perhaps, just perhaps, the bloom is off the rose and he's afraid that they might actually ask real questions.

or maybe, he tries to accomodate everybody with an interview.

[19AL63]

Do you really believe that? I am asking you to be honest now.