ROCK-O-LLECTIONS

By Frank “Smokin” Truatt 

Music over the years has always been to entertain us. There are those songs that make you want to dance, then there’s those love songs that can say the words that you wish you could say, and there are those breakup songs that bring a tear to your eye. Each genre brings out a different emotion while taking us to a different place. Music has also been there to bring out our emotions on everything from the war to race relations to our pride of being an American. 

Popular music today does not feature songs about any political candidate or political party, but it seems that those politicians themselves are relying more and more on endorsements from today’s top artists. Given the fact that those pop artists with a big following can become influential to their adoring fans, especially the youth, is it their right to do this, or are they misusing their power to influence a loyal fan’s decision. We’ve always heard about Bruce Springsteen being vocal at concerts about his political party. As a matter of fact, when I was invited to see him in concert, I was warned that he might make a political statement or two at the concert. Bruce did not, and all was fine. People I’ve talked to said that when they attend a concert, they are there to enjoy the music, to escape reality for a couple of hours, and not to be reminded who they should be voting for. 

Since this is a column about music and with the big election just a few weeks away, the lines have been drawn by the artists. Some of the artists who are most vocal for Kamala Harris are Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young and Billie Eilish. Trump may not have those power hitters, but he does have Kid Rock, Jason Aldean, Trace Adkins, Kanye West and 50 Cent giving their support. Could the endorsement of your favorite artist influence your vote on election day, or get more people to register within a particular party? Sadly, it’s true. With all the information out there on the internet and on television, it’s so hard to determine what is true and what is fake. These people we look up to are our musical idols. They are experts in musical entertainment. When it comes to politics, they can’t be wrong, can they? It’s nice to know who they’re voting for, but that’s on them. I think I’ll vote for whom I think would be the best for my country. After all, even my favorite artists have been wrong, releasing songs that didn’t chart winding up on the discount racks!