Are there any Republican folk singers?

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Clarification of Question by nautico-ga on 02 Feb 2004 06:47 PST

Pink, I'd never heard of Ted Nugent, though I did check out his web site. Yuck!

nautico -- 

Thanks for your comment.  In order to make my answer "official," here
is the text of the comment I posted earlier plus a word or two about
my search strategy:


Assuming that some bluegrass music fits a reasonable definition of
American folk music, I think you would be able to find quite a few
modern Republicans among its  practitioners.  Here is a brief quote
from an article in the Winter 1998 edition of "Popular Music and
Society," a journal published by Bowling Green University:

"Bluegrass music and musicians are usually characterized as
conservative rather than avant-garde; their posture is not one of
rebellion, sexuality, or promiscuity . . .   .  Bluegrass musicians'
conservatism plays a part in their abstinence or moderation and in
their general conformist behavior. Their conservatism is displayed in
various ways, from dress and hairstyle to the importance of old time
religion; from traditional definitions of bluegrass to excluding
electrified instruments; from family-oriented performances to sobriety
and unprofane language. As a result, bluegrass performers' behavior is
easily predictable. It would be surprising, for example, for male
performers to sport earrings, or for any performer to appear clearly
intoxicated, use profane speech, or espouse atheist theology or
leftist politics."  "The Social World of Semiprofessional Bluegrass
Musicians," by Kenneth D. Tunnell and Stephen B. Groce, Popular Music
and Society (Bowling Green University, Winter 1998) at p. 9.

Here is a link to the entire article:
FindArticles.com: Popular Music and Society
http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m2822/4_22/56952171/p1/article.jhtml



Search Strategy:

I chose bluegrass as a promising example based on my own knowledge of
the music and its practitioners.  I found the article that I cited by
using the following simple Google search:

bluegrass conservative
://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=bluegrass+conservative


I always enjoy your interesting questions, and I was happy to be able
to help you with this one.


markj-ga

Many thanks!

Does Ted Nugent count? :-D

Yes, there are.

If you want any further details, I can't answer the question at the moment.

However there are folk singers of every political persuasion but
they're usually hard to find outside of the standard set. As folk
songs tend to be anti-establishment by definition, those who sing them
are far more likely to be left wing than right.

The reason that I'm so sure is that I've been doing some research
lately into extreme music and have discovered Nazi folk singers!

Nazi folk singers?! No thanks! I assume their so-called folk songs are
really anthems to their credo. I agree that folk music tends to be
anti-establishment or at least expressions of deprivation and woe.
That's precisely why I wondered whether anyone composed or sang folk
music in praise of trickle down economics!

nautico --

Assuming that some bluegrass music fits a reasonable definition of
American folk music, I think you would be able to find quite a few
modern Republicans among its  practitioners.  Here is a brief quote
from an article in the Winter 1998 edition of "Popular Music and
Society," a journal published by Bowling Green University:

"Bluegrass music and musicians are usually characterized as
conservative rather than avant-garde; their posture is not one of
rebellion, sexuality, or promiscuity . . .   .  Bluegrass musicians'
conservatism plays a part in their abstinence or moderation and in
their general conformist behavior. Their conservatism is displayed in
various ways, from dress and hairstyle to the importance of old time
religion; from traditional definitions of bluegrass to excluding
electrified instruments; from family-oriented performances to sobriety
and unprofane language. As a result, bluegrass performers' behavior is
easily predictable. It would be surprising, for example, for male
performers to sport earrings, or for any performer to appear clearly
intoxicated, use profane speech, or espouse atheist theology or
leftist politics."  "The Social World of Semiprofessional Bluegrass
Musicians," by Kenneth D. Tunnell and Stephen B. Groce, Popular Music
and Society (Bowling Green University, Winter 1998) at p. 9.

Here is a link to the entire article:
FindArticles.com: Popular Music and Society
http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m2822/4_22/56952171/p1/article.jhtml

markj-ga

Markj, that's what I was looking for. Please make it your answer, and thanks!

Nautico, 

Not exactly folk as such, but Neil Young expressed pro-Republican
views. I am not sure though, that he is so politically consistent, and
in any case - he's a Canadian ;-)

nautico --

Thanks much for the nice tip.

markj-ga

I'd like to note that I was only joking about Ted Nugent.

For a very amusing look at a fictional Republican folk singer, I
recommend the movie "Bob Roberts." At least I found it amusing. I am
probably not the typical Republican, however.

I'd never heard of "Bob Roberts," but just read Ebert's review and am
going to rent it!