ROCKTOBER 2004 : : VOTING ON THE MIND

DREW EMMITT
Leftover Salmon, Drew Emmitt Band

Why is it important to vote?

Voting is a strange thing. When I vote, it is just me in that booth: one vote. How can this make a difference? Then I think to myself that there are millions of people like me thinking the same thing. Rich people, poor people, tall people, short people, Americans of any race and any color; we are all equal when we step in that voting booth. Not voting is apathy and apathy is bad.

Is this election any different than elections past?

I have watched this election more closely than any other; I believe it is the most important election of my life. I think about this election as much for my children as I do myself. The world needs some healing. Hopefully we can have a change at the top and start this healing process.

Do politics have a place in music?
Why or why not?

I think of music as a positive thing. I don't sing about political issues directly and rarely do I speak of them between songs on stage. Musicians do however need to be vocal about getting people to express themselves. In this case, voting is an awesome form of expression. I like my music to be positive. Positivity is a contagious thing. Hopefully this can spread into the voting booth.

Editor's note: While we did not set out with a particular political agenda we do realize that these responses have all been leaning Democratic, if there are any artists who can represent a Republican point of view we would love to hear from you.