DMB Playing Vote for Change Tour

By Waldo Jaquith
In taped interview on NBC's Today Show this morning, Dave Matthews and Boyd Tinsley, joined by two members of the Dixie Chicks, announced their role in MoveOn's Vote for Change concert series. The Democratic political action committee, who is working to get people to vote for Democratic challenger John Kerry, has lined up almost two dozen musicians, including Bruce Springsteen, R.E.M., Pearl Jam, Ben Harper, Jurassic 5, and, of course, the Dixie Chicks and Dave Matthews Band. These artists are breaking into small groups and conducting several simultaneous tours, and are all performing in electoral swing states, including Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and others. In a statement, Dave Matthews said: "A vote for change is a vote for a stronger, safer, healthier America. A vote for Bush is a vote for a divided, unstable, paranoid America. It is our duty to this beautiful land to let our voices be heard. That's the reason for the tour. That's why I'm doing it." DMB, Jurassic 5, Ben Harper, and ATO artist My Morning Jacket will be playing a half dozen dates together: State College, PA (10/01); Dayton, OH (10/02); Detroit, MI (10/03); Madison, WI (10/05); Ames, IA (10/06); and Gainesville, FL (10/08). Tickets may be requested through the Warehouse through August 12, and tickets go on sale on August 21. Note that a ticket purchase qualifies as a political contribution to MoveOn PAC, and will be reported to the Federal Election Commission accordingly.