Musicians Get Out the Vote: Sheryl Crow, T.I., The Dead Take Action
With the two nominating conventions in the past, a bunch of musicians are leading the charge to register voters and rally support for the candidates. Here’s a sampling:
What It Is Sheryl Crow is giving a copy of her latest CD, Detours —with songs about environmental destruction, terrorism and the war in Iraq —to anyone who registers three friends to vote at rockthevote.com
What They Say “The idea behind this is to not only incentivize people to get their friends to vote but to create a dialogue about the issues.”
Crosby, Nash Tour Swing States
What It Is Folk-rock vets David Crosby and Graham Nash are planning a series of fundraising events for Obama (dates to be determined) in East Coast swing states.
What They Say “We desperately need a new direction, to undo the abominations of the Bush administration,” says Nash. “We need somebody like Obama.”
Hip-Hop Seeks Out Young Voters
What It Is T.I., Ludacris and Ne-Yo tour the country to educate potential young voters for two special episodes of 106 and Park that are scheduled to air in October.
What They Say “I have a fan base, and I can influence people’s votes,” says Ludacris. “I’m happy to see history being made.”
Deadheads for Obama
What It Is The surviving members of the Grateful Dead will reunite to support Obama in Pennsylvania on October 13th.
What They Say “I consider this my patriotic duty,” Bob Weir says of playing Obama rallies. “I think Americans have the ability to rediscover democracy.”
Death Cab for Cutie Go Back to College
What It Is A MySpace- and HeadCount-sponsored contest among colleges to see which can sign up the most voters. Death Cab will perform on the winning campus.
What They Say “This seems like a perfect way for us to help capitalize and score for the Obama campaign,” says Death Cab’s Chris Walla.
Rock the Vote Heads to Debates, Music Fests
What It Is Rock’s leading get-out-the-vote group will sponsor a music festival September 26th on the site of the first presidential debate, at the University of Mississippi, and late-night parties at Austin City Limits September 26th-28th.
What They Say “The important thing is that people take part in the democratic process,” says Pete Wentz, who played Rock the Vote’s DNC party. “But on a personal note, I am very stoked for Obama.”
Related Stories:
• Sheryl Crow, Rage Against the Machine, Kanye West, Death Cab for Cutie at the Democratic Convention
• Sheryl Crow Offers Free Album Download to Voters
• Grateful Dead Playing Another Obama Show