Brittany Howard and Emmylou Harris throw support behind US politician amid election
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American vocalists Brittany Howard and Emmylou Harris have given their endorsement to a politician running for election to the US Senate on the new track ‘Tennessee Rise’.
The song was released by the supergroup Tennessee Freedom Fighters, formed by Canadian vocalist Allison Russel. It also features Maren Morris, Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires, Fancy Hagood, Devon Gilfillian along with Howard and Harris.
The ex-Alabama Shakes singer has been steadily increasing the political messaging within her songs over the years, but she hasn’t previously endorsed a Democratic candidate. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, she has always been a staunch supporter of Southerners on New Ground (SOUND), an organisation which champions the rights of that community in the Southern states.
Inspired by social justice movements within the state, ‘Tennessee Rise’ offers the supergroup’s all-encompassing endorsement of Gloria Johnson to the US Senate. Johnson is currently a sitting member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, and is currently running to usurp Republican senator Marsha Blackburn from the Senate.
While the idea of musicians endorsing politicians might raise some eyebrows,Blackburn is among the most staunchly conservative members of the US Senate and anybody with a surface level knowledge of US politics will know is no mean feat.
Over the years, Johnson has repeatedly advocated for gun control, and the protection of rights for marginalised groups, something which endears her towards the members of the Tennessee Freedom Fighters. On the other hand, Blackburn is a climate-change denying Tea Party Republican, with strong anti-abortion views, and opinions on race.
In a press release accompanying the release of ‘Tennessee Rise’, the all-star band said, “Gloria Johnson is a retired special education teacher, community leader, state representative, and a fearless champion of those who’ve been left out and left behind who is bringing power back to the people of Tennessee by building up a multi-generational, multi-racial, multi-party coalition like nothing the state has seen before”.
Listen to the new track below.
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