Sep 16, 2024 - 05:05pm EDT
Steve Baltin - Senior Contributor
I write about music and the business of music.
Tomorrow, September 17, at 8 EST, a wide array of musicians, from Moby, The Flaming Lips Wayne Coyne and Bootsy Collins to Roseanne Cash, Sheila E and Mickey Guyton will pool their collective talents into a two-hour plus streaming telethon called Musicians for Kamala.
The event, intended to raise money for Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential run, is a collective endeavor between the music industry and political experts. People who want to tune in to see Lisa Loeb, Living Colour, Jack Johnson, Sage Bava, just added Evanescence and more, as well as appearances from Natalie Merchant, Shepard Fairey and more, can RSVP at MUSICIANS FOR KAMALA: A NATIONAL LIVESTREAM MUSICAL EVENT · The Democratic National Committee (democrats.org) where they will receive a link to join.
I spoke with two of the co-organizers, Jacob Tell and Nancy Rotering, about putting the event together.
Steve Baltin: There is a great history of protest music. Why is music such an important part of propelling political messages?
Jacob Tell: Music is an enduring force and the universal language. It fosters a sense of unity and common purpose, transcending barriers of language, race, class & geography. Most importantly, music moves our hearts and minds. Songs can serve as slogans, mantras, and rallying cries, and have the potential to create a sense of belonging in a movement, giving us something bigger than ourselves to believe in. Music moves people to take action.
Nancy Rotering: So much of successful political messaging is based on storytelling evoking emotions that results in action. Music often achieves the same outcome and can almost serve as shorthand for political messaging and its goals.
Baltin: When did that translate into the importance of musician endorsements?
Tell: Musicians hold a unique platform of influence, capable of amplifying messages that resonate on a deep societal level. Their powerful lyrics can give voice to the voiceless and raise awareness for issues that ripple across communities. The importance of musician endorsements lies in their ability to bring mass attention to causes, inspiring their audiences to engage and take action. For example, touring with and supporting musician Jack Johnson for over two decades taught me the importance of his deeply embedded environmental message in every facet of his work—from his music and live performances to his merchandise, foundations, and record label. His fans respond to this purpose driven form of expression, creating deep lasting connections. This kind of consistent, authentic advocacy shows how musicians can create lasting impact through their endorsements.
Rotering: Musicians as storytellers often develop signature motifs with a direct translation to political calls to action. Those who share similar values with their fans communicate in a unique and compelling way unmatched by other voices. Having their endorsement speaks efficiently and impactfully to their fans.
Baltin: How was the response to putting this event together?
Rotering: People were very excited to be involved; so much so, that we have more musicians than time and we will be creating a space for continued musical performance and engagement. Throughout the Harris-Walz campaign, there has been great enthusiasm by voters in connecting over shared interests and/or identities. The strong support for the candidates is enhanced through the broad range of communities being celebrated. So much of this campaign has been about recognizing the strength that comes from the diversity within our great nation, and events like Musicians for Kamala amplify that joy and sense of community, hopefully leading to increased political engagement.
Tell: The response to organizing this event has been incredibly inspiring. I was motivated by seeing other “For Kamala” livestream events— Black Women, White Dudes, Comedians, and Deadheads—come together. With my background in marketing, events, and the music industry, I knew that a “Musicians for Kamala” event could be a success if we built the right team. My passionate friends and longtime collaborators, John Lucchetti and Erik Koral, were the first to join. Then, we brought on Highland Park, Illinois Mayor Nancy Rotering, along with Shelly Hartman, and the Harris-Walz campaign. Soon after, Jeff Atlas and his Backhand Productions team came on board, and dozens of us began collaborating on daily production calls. The collective passion and energy has been overwhelming. Once the website, social media, and press release went live, we were introduced to an influx of management groups, publicists, record labels, and artists eager to participate and support this campaign.
Baltin: What do you hope people take away from this event?
Tell: What I hope people take away from this event is a sense of unity and purpose. First and foremost, I want people to understand the critical importance of registering to vote and exercising that right. Voting is our collective voice, and it’s essential for shaping the future we all care so deeply about. I also hope people see how music connects us across differences, creating a powerful bond that transcends individual backgrounds. We’re united not only by our shared love for music but also by a common passion to support Kamala Harris in her presidential bid. This event is about more than just politics—it’s about coming together to build a future that reflects the beauty, diversity, and strength of our society.
Rotering: I hope that in addition to having an exciting and entertaining experience, people take away the importance of political engagement by registering to vote, volunteering, donating, talking to other voters, and absolutely making a plan to vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the November election.
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