Willie Nelson, Warren Haynes Surprise Fans With Election Calls
Craig Young
Posted On October 26, 2010
(Jambase) Willie Nelson, ?uestlove of The Roots, and Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips are among the dozen musicians involved with the “Pledge to Vote” campaign staged by HeadCount, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that promotes electoral participation. Each artist recorded reminders that will be sent to fans before Election Day via automated phone calls. In addition, most artist participants will be making live calls – surprising fans who expect to only hear a pre- recorded message.
“Let’s get some folks cranked up about this,” said The Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir, a HeadCount board member who will also be personally calling dozens of voters. “It’s so important that people, particularly young people, are paying attention and voting so a bunch of cranky old folks don’t steal their future. Hopefully getting a call from a familiar voice will be motivation.”
Close to 25,000 music enthusiasts have already made a “Pledge to Vote” at concerts or on HeadCount’s website, www.headcount.org, requesting a reminder phone call from one of their favorite artists and affirming that they will vote in November. The full list of artist choices include:
?uestlove
Adam Gardner (Guster)
Matt Berninger (The National)
Warren Haynes (The Allman Bros., Gov’t Mule)
Marc Brownstein (The Disco Biscuits)
Willie Nelson
Wayne Coyne (The Flaming Lips)
Grace Potter
Brett Dennen
Bob Weir (Grateful Dead, Furthur)
Jon Fishman (Phish)
Yim Yames (My Morning Jacket)
Fans can still sign up for the calls by visiting www.HeadCount.org/pledge.
