Why Are Country Music Stars Walking On Eggshells With Donald Trump? (TWEETS)

Traditionally, country music artists and their audiences have been known as politically conservative. However, that image seems to be changing. Amidst country music artists, both ends of the political spectrum can be seen.

There have been a few musicians who have been very vocal regarding their opposition to Trump and his policies – Sturgill Simpson, Margo Price, Jason Isbell, and Kacey Musgraves. There are others who are very pro-Trump including Justin Moore, Chris Janson, Charlie Daniels, and Ronnie Dunn.

Margo Price wearing an “Icky Trump” shirt the day after the election, Image via Ijustreadabouthat Blog

Sturgill Simpson, who is known as an outsider in the country music world, just took home a Grammy award for “Best Country Album,” and one week after this, he released the ballad “All Around You.” The music video is a strong display of opposition to the president and his dangerous policies.

The man’s face is shrouded by shadows, but the silhouette is unmistakable: comb-over hairdo, thick neck, beefy red power tie. Two fists, bronzed and engorged like mylar balloons, pump skyward from a podium in a pugilistic dominance display.”

“It ends in an act of left-wing wish-fulfillment, with a boy in a cape destroying both the podium and a massive, barbed border wall, allowing a procession of brown-skinned immigrants to march into golden light.”

Jason Isbell tweeted this sign he posted on the door of their hospital room after his daughter was born:

Kacey Musgraves also took to Twitter to oppose the Secretary of Education, Betsy Devos:

https://twitter.com/KaceyMusgraves/status/828076894482464768

The Dixie Chicks’ lead singer, Natalie Maines, sparked a huge controversy in 2003 when she voiced her opposition to President George W. Bush in reference to the Iraq war. She said:

“Just so you know, we’re ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas.” 

In 2003, in hopes of resurrecting their career, the Dixie Chicks produced a new album with the song “Not Ready To Make Nice.” Daniel Schorn said:

“The song is powerful and unrepentant. The anger isn’t directed at the war or the president — or at their many fans who deserted them. It’s about the hatred, and narrow-minded intolerance they encountered for expressing an opinion.” 

Maren Morris tweeted this, referencing a death threat that Maines received at the height of the Dixie Chicks controversy:

Even in 2017, it’s still not acceptable for musical artists to speak their political opinions. There are many other country artists who choose to remain quiet about their political leanings. Rowdy Yates, morning show host on 98.5 KVOO in Tulsa, Oklahoma, told BuzzFeed News:

“I know one very, very popular artist who, in private settings, is a big Democrat … but politics is the hottest potato around right now. I think a lot of artists are saying, ‘You know what, I’d rather not catch this son of a bitch; I’ll pass it to somebody else.’”

A search of Federal Election Commission records showed that no top Billboard artists contributed to Trump’s campaign. Nashville Democrat, Tim McGraw, did contribute to Hillary Clinton’s campaign. Country musicians are most likely divided in their political leanings.

Diane Pecknold, a country music scholar and women’s and gender studies professor at the University of Louisville in Kentucky, said:

“I think there used to be a belief in the country music industry that there was a particular, relatively homogenous group they were speaking to.” 

“That is definitely not the case anymore. There’s a lot more young people in the country audience than there used to be, and there’s a lot more urban[-dwelling] people.”

Watch Sturgill Simpson’s music video:

 

Featured image from YouTube video.