Old97s.com

Guys, I respectfully disagree. I am an independent. Voted against Bush twice but McCain is the better choice this time.  This announcement from my fav band crushed me.  Ok now im over it.  moving on.

 

ok back to work. 

Come on, guys! Not you too! Listen, I fully respect the right of every American to stand up and vocally support their choice for President. In fact, that's the right I invoke when I share in the disappointment of some of your other fans concerning this decision. Forget politics - music is supposed to bring people together. Instead, this event will exacerbate the already unfortunate divisions in our country. You guys are my favorite band, and will always be! I will continue to support you guys, but I don't want my support of the greatest band in America to be used for a political purpose. I always thought it was cool that a band like the Old '97s resists the temptation to jump on the celebrity bandwagon and get 'political.' That stuff is so cliched and lame. Thankfully, your music hasn't gone that route. I truly hope this is a once-and-done situation and we can all go back to getting sweaty, having fun, and sharing in our commonalities as people - not our differences and disagreements.  

I never thought the 97s would have to be told, "shut-up and play"! i've attended many shows and am very impressed by the fact i do not know their what their politics are. has this now changed? i would like to hear from the band if we should expect to hear their point of view at non-fund-raising shows.

You've apparently never heard Rhett sing "Government Man."

My husband and I have been fans for years. We love your music and listen to it for hours on end. There's simply no other band like the Old 97's. That is why we were so disappointed to see your announcement yesterday afternoon. This man stands for the undoing of everything we hold dear in this country. We truly wish you could have just focused on your art and stayed out of the political arena. Many may be able to look past this and I suspect they will. Unfortunately, we believe that you have to "vote with your dollars" as so much of the money paid by middle America in the form of movie tickets, dvds, cds, etc., funnels down from the pockets of actors and musicians into fundraisers for politicians. Best of luck to you all but, sadly,  we won't be able to continue to support the band.

So Obama's really going to undo everything you hold dear?  Seriously?

The band obviously feels the cause is important enough to play a benefit concert. Can't we leave it at that? God forbid they should have an opinion or exercise their right to politcial expression.

I'm sorry you feel this way. Why would you let something like this cloud your love for the music? It's no different than not seeing a movie or a reading book or listening to music simply based upon a person's religion or sexuality. Why are you entitled to expression but not the band?

They can talk about politics all they want, but they may lose some fans over it simple as that. Personally if they had a benefit show like that in Chicago I wouldn't go. I like the band, but I don't want to donate money to something I don't believe in. But if they want to take a stand on something more power to them.

I hope they don't get preachy on stage like Counting Crows

I dont think she is saying they dont have a right to say what they want. She is saying she enjoys the band, but if they are out and out supporting something she doesnt. She cant support the band any more. They have a right to say what ever they want to say, but that doesnt mean people have to like or support them anymore beacuse of that idea.

Point taken. If a person does not want to attend the Obama concert or financially support his candidacy I certainly understand. I just can't comprehend why someone would let something as silly as an opposing opinion interfere with their enjoyment of the music - the very same music they previously enjoyed before learning of the band's position. It reminds me of all the sillies back in 2004 who said they'd never eat Heinz Ketchup again because John Kerry was running for office.

But be careful with eliminating bands due to politics.  It's a slippery slope - this is how people end up sitting by themselves in a dark room listening to nonstop Lee Greenwood and Toby Keith CD's.

I agree. I get sick and tired of "celebrities" trying to tell me who to vote for like I'm too stupid to figure it out for myself. I'm also tired of people acting like Obama is some sort of messiah that's going to magically fix everything. The guy has little experience governing anything and yet many people think he's the greatest leader ever. Don't get me wrong, he's a great guy and I admire the way he overcame adversity and worked hard to get where he's at but I'm tired of hearing about him. It's too bad Old 97's sold themselves out. My admiration for them just dropped quite a bit.

ZebulonBatty:

It's too bad Old 97's sold themselves out. My admiration for them just dropped quite a bit.

Sold out?!?  They're playing a benefit concert not hawking Alpo or Cadillacs.