We've heard about the McCain campaign using music at their rallies against the wishes of the songwriters. MsLibrarian wrote about the use of the song, " Barracuda", as a theme for Sarah Palin , and the subsequent angry reaction from the Wilson Sisters of the band Heart.
Nashville songwriter, Gretchen Peters , is unhappy about the use of her song , "Independence Day", as a rally play-on for Palin , and her reaction is below the fold:
The following is from a press release from yesterday:
( emphasis is mine )
Gretchen Peters donates royalties from "Independence Day" to Planned Parenthood
Donation made in the name of Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin
October 4, 2008 - Nashville, TN
When Sean Hannity began using Gretchen Peters' song "Independence Day" as the theme song for his Citadel Broadcasting radio talk show, Peters quietly stepped up her donations to causes including the ACLU, PFLAG, and Moveon.org.
But when the GOP used "Independence Day" to usher Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin to the stage after the debate in St. Louis, Peters realized the party was truly perverting the chorus of her composition to suit their agenda and it was high time for Peters to make her feelings known.
"Independence Day," written by Peters, was a hit for country singer Martina McBride in 1994. The lyrics tell the story of a woman's response to domestic abuse from the point of view of her daughter.
I love this part.....
"The fact that the McCain/Palin campaign is using a song about an abused woman as a rallying cry for their Vice Presidential candidate, a woman who would ban abortion even in cases of rape and incest, is beyond irony," Peters says. "They are co-opting the song, completely overlooking the context and message, and using it to promote a candidate who would set women's rights back decades. I've decided to donate the royalties from 'Independence Day' during this election cycle to Planned Parenthood, in Sarah Palin's name. I hope with the additional income provided by the McCain/Palin campaign, Planned Parenthood will be able to help many more women in need."
And, she invites us to join her:
To join Gretchen in donating to Planned Parenthood on behalf of Sarah Palin log on to:
https://secure.ga0.org/...
Ask that the donation be made in the name of Sarah Palin and send the card to:
McCain for President
1235 S. Clark Street 1st Floor
Arlington , VA 22202
For those of you who don't know this song, here's a link to Martina McBride's video ...
Independence Day
Update Wow, the rec list...all props go to Gretchen Peters and her taking action !
Update #2 I received this email from Gretchen this morning...
I would really like to convey my thanks for all the support and the great comments. I've only received a couple of negative emails so far, I expected far more. I'm pretty overwhelmed at the response. My dad wrote the first major magazine article on Dr. Martin Luther King back in the day, I wish he were here to see this.
Update #3
UPI has picked up the story.