Romans 1:20:

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

Heaven by the rockband Live (not a Christian band):

I don’t need no one to tell me about heaven
I look at my daughter, and I believe.
I don’t need no proof when it comes to God and truth
I can see the sunset and I perceive

"Bye bye, Miss American Pie..."

Ever want to bring a fun night of karaoke to a stand-still?  Here are some suggestions to do exactly that (in no particular order):

Name – Goo Goo Dolls

Rumored to be about singer/songwriter Johnny Rzeznik’s childhood.  Both of his parents died when he was young, and he’s singing the song to his sisters that raised him.
BONUS DOWNER: His father was an alcoholic.  And just remember where you’re at when singing this.

The Freshmen - The Verve Pipe

Singer/songwriter Brian Vander Ark wrote this song that covers these incidents: a cancelled wedding, an abortion, and a suicide.  Only one really happened (see the next song for a hint).
BONUS RUMOR: My brother went to Western Michigan University, where this band also hailed.  Story goes they were kicked out of WMU because one of the band members raped a girl.  Party time.

Brick - Ben Folds Five

Band front man (duh) Ben Folds’ girlfriend has an abortion, and this melodic mood killer (bad choice of words?) tries to express how he felt… and succeeds.
BONUS SALT IN THE WOUND: The procedure takes place the day after Christmas.
BONUS HOT PEPPER SAUCE IN THE WOUND: They were still in high school.

Lightning Crashes - Live

Lead singer Ed Kowalczyk dedicated this song to a friend that was killed by a drunk driver.  The drunk driver was fleeing from police after committing a robbery.  The friend – she was only 19.
BONUS SILVER LINING: She donated her organs and saved the lives of others, including a 10-month-old baby.  That’s what the song is really about.  But still… bummer.

Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton

Anyone that doesn’t know the story behind this song is lucky.  Well consider yourself lucky no more.  It’s about how Eric Clapton felt after his 4-year-old son, Conor, fell out of a window — on the 53rd floor of an NYC apartment building.
BONUS “REALLY?!” He hasn’t performed this song since 2004.  His reason:

I didn’t feel the loss anymore, which is so much a part of performing those songs. I really have to connect with he feelings that were there when I wrote them. They’re kind of gone and I really don’t want them to come back, particularly. My life is different now. They probably just need a rest and maybe I’ll introduce them for a much more detached point of view.

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This final bit contains the Unholy Trilogy which have actually caused me to leave a bar.  If you have to click any because either A) you don’t know it or B) you actually like it… I hate you.

• Hotel California – The Eagles
• Desperado – The Eagles
• American Pie – Don McLean

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SIDENOTE: If you feel the need to reignite any karaoke night obliterated by any of the above performances, feel free to press the button below to save the night, despite what this list might claim:

Click Image Only In Case Of Emergencies

To this point, I’ve kept my little blog dedicated mostly to wine: reviews, experiences, and so on.  Wine is a part of my life that I enjoy writing about, and sharing with anyone who wants to listen.  I’m also a big music lover…shoot, I’ve created 2 volumes of my favorite wine & music pairings!  Last week, I attended a solo show at the Doug Fir Lounge in Portland by Eddie Kowalczyk.

Yeah, we go way back!

If the name’s not familiar, he is the lead singer of the band Live, who happens to be far and away my favorite band.  Live recently announced that they are taking some time off after 20 years of making music together to do some solo and other projects.  While sad to Live fans, it seems reasonable.

As I’m watching the acoustic show, listening to songs I’ve heard literally thousands of times, I started thinking about how much influence music in general has on people’s lives, and how much of a soundtrack Live’s music has been in my life.  I’m sure I’ll miss a few profound moments, but I thought I’d share some of my favorite Live reflections, along with a few video clips I grabbed on my phone at the show.

It all started for me in late 1994, when I heard “I Alone” on KNDD, 107.7 Seattle.  I was in 9th grade.  My buddy Chris and I immediately dug the song, and, as a proud member of an order-by-mail CD club, I ordered the album, Throwing Copper, Live’s 2nd studio album.  (To be completely honest, the first couple times I heard the song I thought it was a new R.E.M. song!  Live acknowledges R.E.M. and U2 as major influences on their early music…pretty good taste if you ask me!)  At some point, I must have thought it important to save the invoice from the purchase of Throwing Copper, because I just stumbled upon it in a box of memorabilia!

A few months later, tickets went on sale to see Live at the George in George, WA.  5 buddies and I (a mad bunch 0f 16 year-olds) all bought our tickets without even worrying about how we were going to get to the concert.  Oh, to be 16 again!  So August rolls around, and I’ve had my drivers license for 2 whole weeks, so naturally I assume I’ll be able to drive mom & dad’s minivan full of guys 3 hours to a rock concert.  Mom & dad had other ideas.  So, mom volunteers to drive our motley crew out to the show, and sit in the car and knit while we were inside.  When we got there, she got to chatting with the lady at the turnstiles, and talked herself into the sold out concert for free!  We all set up on the hill, and after 2 terrible opening acts (PJ Harvey and Veruca Salt), the 6 of us bolted for the stage for Live.  For most of us, this was our first rock concert, and in 1995, it was the height of moshing and crowd surfing.  We pushed ourselves as close to the stage as we could and waited.  Finally the lights went down and the stage lights went up.  Already in awe of the beautiful setting (if you haven’t seen a show at the George, do so), we were livid about the concert we were about to see.  Feedback kicked in and the opening notes to “The Dam at Otter Creek” started playing.  The band made their way onstage to a fever frenzy of screaming fans, us included.  In retrospect, it must have been an amazing moment for the band…4 high school friends, now in their early 20’s playing to 15,000 people in one of the most incredible venues in the US.  I’m glad I was a part of it!

They played most of the 2 albums they had released to that point, their 1st, Mental Jewelry, and Throwing Copper.  My favorite moment came when they played “The Beauty of Gray” off of Mental Jewelry.   The songs builds for the first couple minutes, then, the second time through the chorus, Ed cracked a huge smile as he picked up the tempo, and I remember thinking about how much fun he must be having, and how much fun I was having too.  Here’s “The Beauty of Gray” from the solo show:

That concert would be the first of what has now been literally hundreds of concerts, and at last count, 15 Live shows!  1995 was the year Live really took off…they were Spin Magazine’s Artist of the year, had a huge #1 album, and so on.  In 1997, the week before their follow-up album, Secret Samadhi, was released, they were the musical guest on SNL.  I was working at KMart’s electronic department when Secret Samadhi came out, and we got our shipment a week before it was on sale…it was everything I could do not to walk out with a copy a week early!  Mind you, this is pre-internet…no advance song releases, bootlegs, etc.

A couple years later, in 1999, they released The Distance to Here and played Bumbershoot in Seattle as a headliner.  On their website they ran a contest for fans to write 10 interview questions they would ask the band, and the setting they’d have the interview in.  They gave the 50 best responses passes to a “secret warm-up show” the night before the Bumbershoot show.  Well, I won!  There was also to be a meet & greet opportunity, so I was out of my mind!  Well, 2 days prior to the show, I was contacted by a publicist and told that the venue had changed, and now was no longer all-ages, so I couldn’t attend.  I was 19, and pissed!  I went around and around with her, and finally she set me up with a backstage pass for the Bumbershoot concert instead.  So, just before Live took the stage, I bailed on my friends (I only had the 1 pass after all) and got ushered backstage.  They then took me to an elevated platform on the side of the stage where there were about 8 chairs.  The other side of the stage was the platform where the media sat…I was on the side with the band’s VIP’s: Wives girlfriends, family, etc.   It was amazing!  I was looking down on the show from above the stage.  The only odd part was that the people around me had heard the songs a million times, and here I am singing along, excited about hearing new songs, and generally worked up, sitting with a pretty mellow group of people who had no idea who on earth I was.

After the show, I was guided down to the trailer where I waited for the band to emerge.  One by one, they came out.  They all knew me by name without introductions, and were very apologetic about the mishap the night before.  When Chad Taylor, the guitarist came out, he said “Hi, you must be Graham…I’m Chad” followed by me saying “I know!  It’s good to meet you!”  He told me the story of meeting U2, one of his favorite bands.  He said when The Edge introduced himself, it went like this: “Hi, I’m The Edge”.  Chad: “No Shit!”  All in all, it was a great experience, as I had feared that these guys who I’d been listening to nearly every day for 5 years would be jerks.  Not in the slightest!  All were very wonderful to me, signing multiple autographs and hanging out for a while.

The next time they came through Seattle, I won the opportunity to be in-studio on the air at KNDD with Ed for the morning show.  4 people, myself included, got so sit in for the interview, ask some questions, and get pictures & autographs.  Later that year, a friend told me he had won tickets and backstage passes to a Live show, but it was in Aneheim, at the House of Blues.  So, naturally, we took a plane down to LA, rented a car, met up with Chris (previously mentioned in this essay) who now lives in CA, and my brother, also in LA, and went to the show.  That night, they played their version of John Lennon’s “Imagine”…still one of the greatest moments in my concert going lifetime:  one of my all-time favorite songs preformed by my favorite band.  Later in the show, something rather odd happened…Dennis Rodman, apparently a friend of the band, came out on stage during the encore and sang “I Alone” with them.  Needless to say…he’s a better basketball player than singer!  After the show, we were backstage, and at one point I turned and literally crashed into Dennis.  For the record, he’s HUGE!  I’m 6′1″, and my head was somewhere around his sternum!  He’s built like a tank!  On the way to our car after the meet & greet, we saw him wobbling to his ride with his arm around a groupie.

So, all told, I’ve seen Live in 5 states (WA, OR, CA, NY, NJ).  Last July, 2008, they played a show at Marymoore Park in Seattle with Collective Soul and Blues Traveler.  Once again, I managed to find myself with a backstage pass, so off we went.  Mind you, Lara’s 9 months pregnant at this point, and we were planning to go and return in one day.  (Side note:  I love you honey!).  The show was great, and we waited backstage with a bunch of aging fans (oh wait, I’m one of those too) who were mostly all hammered (not me, driving back to PDX w/pregnant wife).  Ed emerged from the trailer and stopped to talk to someone.  There were about 20 fans waiting for him.  He scanned the group and pushed his way through to us to talk to the pregnant lady, which drew plenty of glares from the others.  He was great, asking about gender, due date, and telling us about his 2 girls.  Then he was even cool enough to sign Lara’s belly!  What a guy!

I sit here writing in disbelief that I’ve been listening to their music for 1/2 of my life!  Over 15 years.  I can’t even venture a guess how many times I’ve heard “Lightning Crashes”.

Or my very favorite song “Pillar of Davidson”, an amazing song that was never a single on the radio.  As Lara and I planned our wedding, my only request was to have a Live song as our 1st dance.  We chose “Dance With You”.  Here’s that song from Eddie’s solo show:

Music is pretty important to me, there’s always a song in my head.  Every one of my favorite songs and albums come with very specific memories of my life at the time I first heard them.  “I Alone” was in the bonus room in my parents garage with Chris.  “Lakini’s Juice” watching SNL.  The Dolphin’s Cry in my car in a bank parking lot, not driving so I could listen closely.  “Heaven” in Time Square.    There are dozen’s more, each with a memory.  Thanks Live!  Eddie’s new song, Zion, gave me great hope that there is still wonderful music to come:

Sally Struthers used to show up on my television, waddling amongst throngs of starving children in Third World countries. She also used to appear to inform me that we all want to make more money.

Aside from discovering oil (a la Jed Clampett), getting a government bail-out, or sitting on the board of Haliburton, there seems to be one thing that would make anyone wealthy beyond their wildest dreams…

…finding a cure for hair loss in men.

Aside from pills to abate maladies like restless legs and dry eyes, there is also an endless array of remedies bandied about by late-night television hucksters to achieve this end. Is such an elixir truly out of the grasp of modern medicine?

Hey, I’m no scientist (even though I do have a lab coat which doubles quite nicely as a robe), but it’s 2009. How difficult can it be to grow hair?

It seems inconceivable when I think about my years as a single male and the times when I have had male roommates. In such situations, I have seen amazing things grow in unbelievable settings.

Seriously, a bachelor’s living quarters is a science experiment onto itself.

I remember waking one morning in college, bleary-eyed, and stumbling into the kitchen for some Cocoa Puffs. Above the kitchen cabinets, a dark cloud of gnats flew in formation. I clambered onto the counter and peered above the cabinet to discover the source of their interest.

I found a large blob of brown matter which I ascertained had, in a previous life, been a bunch of bananas.

Another time, foraging for sustenance, I foolishly opened the bottom compartment of our refrigerator. There was nothing there but a two-inch thick colloid that could best be described as black Jell-O.

I went hungry.

OK. So reducing potassium-laden fruit to inedible bio hazard or creating a jiggly substance that would cause Bill Cosby to recoil isn’t exactly splitting the atom, but it should illustrate my point – somewhere, in the wilds of some apartment inhabited by single men, hair is growing on something.

I know it.

All it takes is someone with the vision and intestinal fortitude to search – possibly in a kitchen, perhaps in some dank shower – for an item sprouting fuzzy, hair-like follicles where none were before.

Once such a miracle of life is uncovered, it’s simply a matter of reverse engineering, submitting a patent application, and slapping a marketable name on your snake oil.

It’s certainly a more direct path to amassing a small fortune than relying on a late-night infommercial degree in welding (no matter what Sally Struthers might contend).

The Who – Cut My Hair
from Quadrophenia

America – Sister Golden Hair
from Hearts

The Heads (with Ed Kowalczyk) – Indie Hair
from No Talking, Just Head

Everclear – Short Blonde Hair
from Songs From An American Movie, Vol. 2: Good Time For A Bad Attitude

I almost didn’t go to see Ed Kowalczyk tonight. I figured I’d be tired. Maybe a little love-lorn. Probably, you know, … old. Turned out I was right, but thanks to the generosity of a friend, I did stumble down through the Ekka detritus crowding the Bowen Hills streets to the grand old Tivoli, and was stunned to be sitting, sardine-like but not uncomfortably, a mere four rows from the stage. Close enough to see the sweat on Ed’s bald head, the smears of moisture on the guitar, and a very large smile on his dial as the sell-out crowd went ballistic after every tune.

It was just Ed and a guitar, a few apologies for not having the full band, sheer delight at being heard and appreciated. He played one new song (from a solo album due out next year) – it was pretty good, in a Live kind of way — and one cover, and the rest of the 1hr15 set was made up of Live tracks. I’d forgotten, kind of, just how good those guys were when they were peaking, with Throwing Copper and my favourite album of theirs, The Distance to Here. Tonight’s set roamed the Live catalague, rocking out with I Alone, offering a delicious rendering of the remarkably apt The Dolphin’s Cry, getting a singalong with closing song I Want To Dance With You. And raising a tear with Lightning Crashes, which always reminds me of someone dear who should be here, but isn’t.

As such, the gig turned out to be a fitting closing act for a poignant weekend.

It began on Friday night with a dear, old friend at a favourite restaurant. So pleasing to see her happy in love, and beloved. And then there was that aeroplane, delivering me my own slice of the happiness pie. Saturday and a parade of friends and family and that bittersweet emotion of being happy for a friend while feeling the cutting edge of looming absence, in geography at least. Time and lost opportunities and golden moments, all rolled into one, and never quite enough time and space to say the words to the right people before they’re gone, through the door if not from our lives. Amazing, isn’t it, how friendships endure across time and space? And how watersheds and turning points can remind us of just how strong those bonds can be. And then today, welcome and goodbye and a milestone marked, a new year and a new life, but no beginning without endings, too, the shedding of old skin making way for the new.

Vague enough for you?

Birthdays are like that. Past and future colliding, cushioned by the joy of good company, the love of family and that significant other.

So thanks, Ed, for the summary: the pains and pleasures of the past, the promise of the future, the simple joy of the here and now.

Oh now feel it comin’ back again

Like a rollin’ thunder chasing the wind

Forces pullin’ from the center of the earth again

I can feel it.

The Stupid Fucking Robins Are Singing Sweetly in the Trees

If, in the chill of the winter wind you think me a fucking asshole,

well, you know there are other angels you can pray to on your knees;

Heaven just called, they said they have room for just one more soul

and so if I were you I’d get a move on, but you do what you please.

If, by a summer night’s bonfire you find I’m a total jerk

there are others with whom you may bask in the starlight’s shine;

there are things you can do to make this conversation work

while constellations shape themselves from the labors of our minds.

Maybe Autumn brings out the hopelessness in my eyes;

anything’s better than a color not quite nearly enough blue.

I hear the truth of a coming storm, and know a gospel of lies:

what does it take to be capable of love and be worthy of you?

No matter what you do the light will always show

this thing you know by heart that I will never know.

The Night Of The Proms or ‘NOTP‘ as the name of the official website calls, is an annual event in different countries, where Classical music meets Pop! On this 24th edition of NOTP, I had the luck to be one of the happy few that where aloud to make pictures. The opening was on October 24th in the ‘Sportpaleis‘ at Antwerp.

So here they are, the photos of the Night Of The Proms.

Here you see the symphonic orchestra Il Novecento and Robert Groslot, conductor of this ensemble.

This is Igudesman from the comic duo Igudesman & Joo.

The beautiful ballerina Katchiri Feys.

And off course Sinéad O’Connor, the rebel of this years Night Of The Proms edition!

The ‘Angels in Harlem‘ is the gospel choir that travels around the world and was founded in 1986.

Midge Ure the front man of the former New Wave group ‘Ultravox’. One of their greatest hits was ‘Vienna’.

Live with lead singer, front man and guitarist Ed Kowalczyk.

As surprise act of the 24th edition they invited ‘Gunther Verspecht’ from Stash.

And The Simple Minds with Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill to end this great concert. They performed also in 1997 and 2002 with the Night Of The Proms.

The celebrities listed below this introduction were chosen because they have either been recently in the news or were run across in my non-scientific Internet search. A short explanation is given about some of their comments or actions in favor of Obama but please take it with a large grain of salt as it is in no way complete. In case someone asks, of course there are a small number of stars that support the John McCain / Sarah Palin ticket like Sylvester Stallone, John Voight, Ted Nugent and Charlie Daniels.

It is no secret that most Hollywood and music stars are liberals and have become a reliable source of campaign cash for Democratic candidates. So far the music and entertainment industry has given around $ 15 million to the Obama presidential effort and donated $ 3.4 million to the Hillary Clinton campaign. How did John McCain fare you ask? His campaign has received around $1 million.

Not included are many rap and hip-hop stars like 50 Cent, Chamillionare, Scarface, etc., because around 95% of their community supports Obama’s candidacy. To list them all would take forever. They support Obama by using clothes with Obama’s image on them on stage, by putting up Obama or Obama/Biden banners at their concerts, etc. Almost all speak favorably of the candidate and hope the more outspoken members of their community tone down their support for fear of alienating voters that do not understand what their music is about. Some artists have said they support and will vote for Obama because he is one of them. Others say he is the most qualified for the job with race having nothing to do with their decision. To say that they are excited about this election is an understatement!

Below the stars, more or less in alphabetical order, listed by their last name. Looking for Oprah? She’s under W for Winfrey. How about Jay-Z? He’s under C for Shawn Carter. Homer Simpson? Try S for Homer Simpson. Yes, even Homer tries to vote for Obama.

Enjoy. Or not.

Jeffery Jacobs Abrams (J. J. Abrams): Has donated at least $ 2,300 to the Obama campaign.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Amy Adams: October 1, 2008 she appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Yolanda Adams: September 22, 2008 her song “Hold On” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Ben Affleck: July 2004 the actor said he became an Obama supporter after meeting him at the DNC in Boston. March 16, 2008 he and his wife Jennifer Garner hosted an Obama fundraiser in Boston. August 2, 2008 he gave a speech at a fundraiser supporting Obama. Has donated the maximum possible, $ 4,600, to the Obama campaign.

Jessica Alba: February 29, 2008 she appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by the speech he gave in Chicago. August 2008 she was at the DNC in Denver.

Tatyana Ali: February 2, 2008 she appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire. October 1, 2008 she appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Byron Allen: Has donated at least $ 2,300 to the Obama campaign.

Pamela Anderson: July 2008 she said, I love him.., I think he’s going to win. September 12, 2008 on her official website is information on how to help get Obama elected president.

Jennifer Aniston: February 20, 2007 she attended a fundraiser for Obama at the Beverly Hilton. She has donated at least $ 2,300 to the Obama campaign. October 1, 2008 she appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Adam Arkin: Has donated at least $ 250 to the Obama campaign.

Tichina Arnold: February 29, 2008 she appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by the speech he gave in Chicago.

Patricia Arquette: Has donated at least $ 2,300 to the Obama campaign.

Rossana Arquette: Has donated at least $ 2,300 to the Obama campaign.

Sean Astin: October 5, 2008 he went to the Flint, Michigan Obama headquarters and talked to campaign voters before they went out to register voters.

Kevin Bacon: Has donated at least $ 2,200 to the Obama campaign. October 1, 2008 he appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Billy Baldwin: He has donated at least $ 1,000.00 to the Obama campaign.

Eric Balfour: December 10, 2007 he attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser. February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Tyra Banks: She has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Ellen Barkin: She has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Charles Barkley: 2007 he gives his full support to Obama saying, I support him wholeheartedly. August 2008 he was present at the DNC in Denver.

Roseanne Barr: October 14, 2004 she is a Green Party supporter but will vote Obama over McCain. She calls Sarah Palin a Caribou Barbie.

Watch her video interview aboard the Guardian bus HERE.

Angela Bassett: She has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Shane Battler: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Jennifer Beals: June 24, 2008 she attended an Obama fundraiser in Los Angeles.

Maria Bello: October 1, 2008 she appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video. She has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Tom Bergeron: He has donated at least $ 1,750.00 to the Obama campaign.

Sandra Bernhard: September 5, 2008 she said she favors Obama and really likes Joe Biden. September 2008, the comedian said that it’s better that Sarah Palin not go to Manhattan because Palin could get gang-raped by some of Bernhard’s big black brothers.

Chuck Berry: June 11, 2008 he endorsed Obama and said, It’s no question, myself being a man of color … Definitely a proud and successful moment for all the people of this country, not just black people, but Americans in general.

Halle Berry: September 8, 2007 she attended the fundraiser Oprah Winfrey hosted for Obama. Has donated at least $ 2,300 to the Obama campaign. October 1, 2008 she appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Valerie Bertinelli: She has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Jerome Bettis: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Jessica Biel: December 10, 2007 she attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser. October 11, 2008 she and boyfriend Justin Timberlake stumped for Obama at the Clark County Government Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Watch part 1 of the video where they endorse Obama HERE. Watch part two of the video HERE.

Selma Blair: October 1, 2008 she appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Judy Blume: She has donated the maximum ammout possible, $ 4,600.00, to the Obama campaign.

Steven Bochco: He has donated the maximum ammount possible, $ 4,600.00, to the Obama campaign.

Jon Bon Jovi: On September 5, 2008 the singer and his wife Dorothea hosted over 100 guests for a $ 30,800 per person fund raising diner in favor of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Obama campaign. Obama gave an very short speech, about 8 minutes long, to the guests before mingling.

Andy Borowitz: He has donated at least $ 2,100.00 to the Obama campaign.

Kate Bosworth: October 1, 2008 she appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Russel Brand: September 7, 2008 at the MTV Video Music Awards besides insulting President Bush said, Please….elect Barack Obama.

Zach Braff: February 20, 2007 he attended a fundraiser for Obama at the Beverly Hilton. He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Christopher Bridges (Ludacris): April 2008 in a concert the rapper said Obama had his unwavering support on his bid to become President of the USA. In July 2008 the Obama campaign has distanced themselves from Ludacris because of his song “Politics: Obama is Here” that contains some controversial material the campaign said was outrageously offensive, something akin to: President Bush is mentally handicapped, Vice President Cheney belongs in a wheel chair paralyzed, an Obama presidency is destiny, criticized Reverend Jessie Jackson, and called Hillary Clinton a b***h.

Steve Brill: He has donated the maximum ammount possible, $ 4,600.00, to the Obama campaign.

Christie Brinkley: She has donated at least $ 2,000.00 to the Obama campaign.

James L. Brooks: He has donated the maximum ammount possible, $ 4,600.00, to the Obama campaign.

Mehcad Brooks: December 10, 2007 he attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser.

Pierce Brosnan: September 16, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills.

Blair Brown: She has donated at least $ 500.00 to the Obama campaign.

Jackson Browne: On August 14, 2008 he sued the Ohio Republican party (ORp) and the Republican National Committee (RNC) because the ORp used his 1977 song “Running on Empty” in a TV ad. The ad poked fun at Obama because of his comments to tune up cars and inflate their tires to make the US independent of foreign oil. Browne has been a liberal all his life and thought that if his music was used in Republican ads the public might think he endorses McCain. Since 2004 he has contributed at least $ 4,300 to Obama’s coffers. After the lawsuit was filed the ORp pulled the ad. Browne is asking for around $75,000 in damages. September 22, 2008 his song “Looking East” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Joy Bryant: August 2008 she was present at the DNC in Denver.

Warren Buffett: He has donated the maximum ammount, $ 4,600.00, to the Obama campaign.

Ken Burns: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

LeVar Burton: He has donated at least $ 300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Candance Bushnell: She has donated at least $ 1,000.00 to the Obama campaign.

Nick Cannon: December 10, 2007 he hosted the Obama fundraiser the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert. February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Kate Capshaw: She has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Shawn Carter (Jay-Z): March 3, 2008 an audio only voice recording made by the rapper is put out asking voters to vote for Obama on the Mar 4 Ohio Democratic primaries. The rapper has said he supports Obama for president. April 2008 after the ABC debate with Hillary Clinton, in a speech a few days later, Obama used the the motion of brushing dirt off his shoulder to make a point. Most people outside of the hip-hop community missed the significance of the gesture but it quickly became controversial. In a mater of days after the controversy that a presidential candidate for the first time ever used hip-hop inspired gestures during a speech had reached a crescendo, it was learned that the gesture could be related to a song by Jay-Z called “Dirt Off Your Shoulder”. The gesture meant shaking those that hate you off or getting rid of negative energy. Obama and his campaign have said that in his iPod Obama has songs by Jay-Z…. September 5, 2008 he performed at a concert to register to vote, and vote for Obama, in Miami.

Michael Chabon: He has donated the maximum ammount, $ 4,600.00, to the Obama campaign.

Don Cheadle: June 24, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Los Angeles and said, He’s my candidate.

John Cleese: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

George Clooney: February 2007 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Los Angeles. February 2008 he said that he had been supporting Obama for a year and a half and was very excited about his campaign. August 2008 he attended the DNC in Denver. September 2, 2008 Clooney was the main attraction at an Obama fundraiser in Switzerland where around 170 US Citizens that donated $ 1,000 heard his speech. Later on that night the actor headlined at an intimate diner style Obama fundraiser where 75 donors gave $ 10,000 each for the campaign. He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Glenn Close: Has donated at least $ 2,300 to the Obama campaign.

Cliff Collins: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Sean “Diddy” Combs: June 24, 2008 at the BET Awards show the rapper endorsed Obama for President saying that if everyone registered to vote Obama will be the first black president in the history of America, then chanted “Obama or Die”. On August 31, 2008 Diddy posted his video blog “Diddy Obama Blog # 16: Attention John McCain” saying he does not agree with McCain as he is making crazy decisions like choosing Sarah Palin as his running mate because, Diddy said, there are no crackheads, black people and not enough crime in Alaska. He added that instead of Palin, McCain should have chosen Michelle Obama as his running mate. October 2, 2008 on his new blog “Diddy Blog # 24: Sarah Palin Scares Me!!” the singer says, well, that Palin scares him.

Watch the Diddy Blog # 24:

Watch the Diddy Obama blog # 16:

Harry Connick Jr.: He has donated the maximum ammount, $ 4,600.00, to the Obama campaign.

Kevin Connolly: October 1, 2008 he appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Courteney Cox: October 1, 2008 she appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Daniel Craig: October 2008 as an Englishman he cannot vote in the USA elections but he says in a Playboy magazine interview that Barack Obama is pushing things in the right direction and that he is hopeful for the first time in a long, long while.

Cindy Crawford: September 8, 2007 she attended the fundraiser Oprah Winfrey hosted for Obama. June 24, 2008 she attended an Obama fundraiser in Los Angeles. She has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Sheryl Crow: August 25, 2008 she performed at the DNC in Denver. September 22, 2008 her song “Out of Our heads” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Alan Cumming: August 2008 he was present at the DNC in Denver. He has donated at least $ 500.00 to the Obama campaign.

Jamie Lee Curtis: September 16, 2008 she attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills. She has donated the maximum ammount, $ 4,600.00, to the Obama campaign.

Timothy Daly: August 2008 he was present at the DNC in Denver.

Matt Damon: August 2, 2008 he gave a speech at a fundraiser supporting Obama. September 2008 in an interview the actor compared Sarah Palin’s candidacy to a bad Disney movie and would like to ask her if dinosaurs were alive 4,000 years ago. He has donated the maximum, $ 4,600.00, to the Obama campaign.

Anna David: February 29, 2008 she appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Larry David: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Geena Davis: She has donated the maximum ammount, $ 4,600.00, to the Obama campaign.

Jonathan Davis (Q-Tip): February 4, 2008 he released a statement endorsing Barack Obama.

Rosario Dawson: August 2008 she was present at the DNC in Denver.

Antar Dayal: He is part of the group Artists for Obama who donate their work to the campaign so they can raise money and grow the Obama movement. His contribution is a print titled “Yes We Can”.

Ellen DeGeneres: October 1, 2008 she appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Robert De Niro: December 8, 2006 when asked whom he would like to see as president the actor responded Hillary or Obama, one of the two. February 4, 2008 De Niro appeared at an Obama rally. He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Kate del Castillo: February 29, 2008 she appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by his speech given in Chicago.

Danny Devito: He has donated at least $ 2,000.00 to the Obama campaign.

Leonardo DiCaprio: September 16, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills. October 1, 2008 he appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video:

Taye Diggs: December 10, 2007 he attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser. He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Paul Dooley: He has donated the maximum ammount, $ 4,600.00, to the Obama campaign.

Michael Douglas: He has donated the maximum ammount, $ 4,600.00, to the Obama campaign.

Fran Drescher: August 22, 2008 she attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills.

Jermaine Dupri: December 10, 2007 he attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser.

Jesse Dylan: February 2, 2008 he worked on the pro Obama video “Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire. February 29, 2008 he worked on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech given by Obama in Chicago.

Anthony Edwards: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Jenny-Bea Englishman (Esthero): February 2, 2008 she appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Michael Eisner: He has donated at least $ 500.00 to the Obama campaign.

Hector Elizondo: He has donated at least $ 200.00 to the Obama campaign.

Omar Epps: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Jennifer Esposito: December 10, 2007 she attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser.

Melissa Etheridge: August 2008 she was in Denver for the DNC.

Linda Evans: September 8, 2007 she attended the fundraiser Oprah Winfrey hosted for Obama. She has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Shepard Fairey: He is part of the group Artists for Obama who donate their work to the campaign so they can raise money and grow the Obama movement. His contribution is a print titled “Change”.

Vera Farmiga: February 2, 2008 she appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Will Ferrell: September 16, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills.

Tina Fey: September 21, 2008 at the 2008 Emmy Awards she said about Sarah Palin, I want to be done playing this lady Nov. 5. So if anybody can help me be done playing this lady Nov. 5, that would be good for me.

Milos Forman: He has donated at least $ 3,050.00 to the Obama campaign.

Jodi Foster: September 16, 2008 she attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills. Has donated at least $ 3,300 to the Obama campaign.

Michael J. Fox: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Jamie Foxx: September 8, 2007 he attended the fundraiser Oprah Winfrey hosted for Obama. August 22, 2008 the actor attended a fundraiser for Obama in Beverly Hills with his daughter. August 2008 he was present at the DNC in Denver. September 16, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills. Has donated at least $ 2,300 to the Obama campaign. October 1, 2008 he appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Jonathan Franzen: He has donated at least $ 1,000.00 to the Obama campaign.

Morgan Freeman: February 20, 2007 he attended a fundraiser for Obama at the Beverly Hilton. 2007 he endorsed Obama but will not campaign with him. Freeman says he is an actor not a politician. He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Jim Gaffigan: He has donated at least $ 1,250.00 to the Obama campaign.

Troy Garity: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Jeff Garlin: He has donated at least $ 250.00 to the Obama campaign.

Jennifer Garner: March 16, 2008 she and husband Ben Affleck hosted an Obama fundraiser in Boston. August 2, 2008 she gave a speech at a fundraiser supporting Obama. She has donated the maximun, $ 4,600.00, to the Obama campaign.

David Geffen: February 20, 2007 along with Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg they hosted a fundraiser for Obama at the Beverly Hilton. September 16, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills. He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Richard Gere: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Gina Gershon: September 10, 2008 she appears in a skit satirizing Sarah Palin.

Watch the video HERE.

Jamie Gertz: She has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Thomas Gibson: He has donated at least $ 1,000.00 to the Obama campaign.

Jaime Luis Gomez (Taboo): February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a he gave in Chicago.

Fred Goldring: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Cuba Gooding Jr.: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Goo Goo Dolls: December 10, 2007 they performed at the Obama fundraiser the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert.

Berry Gordy: He has donated the maximum ammount, $ 4,600.00, to the Obama campaign.

Lou Gossett Jr.: He has donated the maximum ammount, $ 4,600.00, to the Obama campaign.

Topher Grace: He has donated the maximum ammount, $ 4,600.00, to the Obama campaign.

Macy Gray: February 29, 2008 she appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by his speech given in Chicago.

Brian Grazer: He has donated the maximum ammount, $ 4,600.00, to the Obama campaign.

Bryan Greenberg: December 10, 2007 he attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser. February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Kathy Griffin: August 22, 2008 she attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills.

John Grisham: He has donated at least $ 1,000.00 to the Obama campaign.

Jasmine Guy: She has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Luis Guzman: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by his speech given in Chicago.

Tyrese Gybson: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by the speech he gave in Chicago.

Herbie Hancock: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire. He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Chelsea Handler: 2008 She used an Obama t-shirt while conducting her show.

Tom Hanks: February 2007 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Los Angeles. May 4, 2008 in a video he endorsed Obama for president. Has given money to both Hillary Clinton and Obama besides many other Democratic politicians. Has donated the maximum possible, $ 4,600, to the Obama campaign.

Scott Hansen: He is part of the group Artists for Obama who donate their work to the campaign so they can raise money and grow the Obama movement. His contribution is a print titled “Progress”.

Frances E. Harper (Hill Harper): February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Ed Harris: He has donated at least $ 2,000.00 to the Obama campaign.

Emmylou Harris: She has donated at least $ 2,000.00 to the Obama campaign.

Mariette Hartley: She has donated at least $ 250.00 to the Obama campaign.

Teri Hatcher: She has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Sean Hayes: He has donated at least $ 1,000.00 to the Obama campaign.

Dennis Haysbert: September 16, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills. He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Heart: On September 4, 2008 a ”cease-and-desist” letter was sent by singers Ann and Nancy Willson to the McCain campaign because they were using their 1970’s song “Barracuda” without their permission. The sisters added that if the McCain campaign had asked for permission it would have been denied. Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin’s nickname in High School was Sarah Barracuda thus the use of the song. The campaign says they have paid all necessary licenses to ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) and the song is available for public performances as long as the licensing fees are paid.

Christie Hefner: She has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Hugh Hefner: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Jonah Hill: October 1, 2008 he appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Cheryl Hines: She has donated at least $ 1,000.00 to the Obama campaign.

Dustin Hoffman: October 1, 2008 he appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video. He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Susanna Hoffs: February 29, 2008 she appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago. She has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Bruce Hornsby: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Djimon Hounsou: October 1, 2008 he appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Josh Howard: July 2008 at the Allen Iverson charity football game said, God d**m [the] national anthem. After someone said Obama 08 the player said, Obama and all that s***t.

Ron Howard: February 20, 2007 he attended a fundraiser for Obama at the Beverly Hilton. September 16, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills. He has donated the maximum ammount, $ 4,600.00, to the Obama campaign.

Kelly Hu: February 2, 2008 she appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Phil Jackson: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Randy Jackson: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Samuel L. Jackson: February 24, 2008 the actor passed up an opportunity to present an Oscar at the 2008 Academy Awards because he was going to be at an Obama rally in Texas. June 24, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Los Angeles. September 3, 2008 the actor and his wife La Tanya hosted guests at their home for a fundraiser in favor of the Obama Victory Fund, Michelle Obama was the headliner.

Cheryl James (Salt): February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired a speech he gave in Chicago.

Jay Jenkins (Young Jeezy): in July 2008 he said he is the Democratic party, he does not plan to vote for McCain and supports Barack Obama. He sometimes wears the message “My President is Black” during his appearances.

Joan Jett: She has donated at least $ 250.00 to the Obama campaign.

Billy Joel: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Scalett Johannson: December 10, 2007 she attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser. February 2, 2008 she appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire. September 3, 2008 she attended the fundraiser given by Samuel L. Jackson and his wife in favor of the Obama Victory Fund, Michelle Obama was the headliner. She has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Kevin Johnson: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Magic Johnson: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Nasir Jones (Nas): June 2008 he was the first to come out with a song about Obama’s run for the presidency titled “Black President”. On July 24, 2008 Nas said he was not endorsing Obama but does believes in Obama and that Obama is hope, change and the smartest president[ial] [candidate] he’s heard speak ever since Jimmy Carter’s time when Nas started paying attention. On the other hand, he added that Conservatives are scared of young rappers and people like him who are changing the world with their music because they do not understand them.

Spike Jonze: He has donated at least $ 2,000.00 to the Obama campaign.

Michael Jordan: He has donated at least $ 2,100.00 to the Obama campaign.

Ashley Judd: August 2008 she was present at the DNC in Denver.

Casey Kasem: He has donated at least $ 1,000.00 to the Obama campaign.

Jeffrey Katzenberg: February 20, 2007 along with Steven Spielberg and David Geffen they hosted a fundraiser for Obama at the Beverly Hilton. September 16, 2008 he was present at an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills. He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Suai Kee: September 22, 2008 her song “Am I All Alone” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Garrison Keillor: He has donated at least $ 200.00 to the Obama campaign.

Video of Keillor endorsing Obama:

David E. Kelley: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Ryan Key: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired a speech he gave in Chicago.

Alicia Keyes: June 24, 2008 at the BET Awards show said black people should erase the word can’t from their vocabulary, together we can do anything, and Obama y’all.

Margot Kidder: She has donated at least $ 500.00 to the Obama campaign.

Anthony Kiedis: December 10, 2007 he attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser. October 1, 2008 she appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Don King: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Regina King: February 29, 2008 she appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Calvin Klein: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Heidi Klum: June 24, 2008 she attended an Obama fundraiser in Los Angeles.

Michael Kors: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Ed Kowalczyk: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Zoe Kravitz: February 29, 2008 she appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by his speech given in Chicago.

Ashton Kutcher: September 27, 2008 the actor along with his wife Demi Moore spoke at an Obama Rally in Iowa State University. They called President Bush an Idiot. Take a look at the video by Bill O’Reilly from The O’Reilly Factor that aired on Fox News. September 30, 2008 he and his wife Demi Moore made a video in favor of Obama, look at the video below. October 1, 2008 he appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Segment from The O’Reilly Factor:

Pro Obama ad by Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore:

Another Ashton/Demi video in favour of Obama:

Cedric Antonio Kyles (Cedric The Entertainer): He has donated at least $ 2,500.00 to the Obama campaign.

Don LaFontaine (1940-2008): He has donated at least $ 3,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Christine Lahti: She has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Jim Lampley: He has donated at least $ 1,000.00 to the Obama campaign.

Jessica Lange: She has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

John Larroquette: He has donated at least $ 1,500.00 to the Obama campaign.

Cyndi Lauper: August 2008 she was present at the DNC in Denver.

Sharon Lawrence: She has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Shontelle Layne (Shontelle): September 22, 2008 her song “Battle Cry” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Norman Lear: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Spike Lee: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

John Legend: 2007 in an interview he said, [Obama] is the right man for right now. November 10, 2007 he performed at an Obama rally in Iowa. February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire. April 14, 2008 Legend performed a song titled “If you’re Out There” in an Obama rally at Penn State. September 22, 2008 his song “Pride In The Name Of Love” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99. He has donated the maximum ammount, $ 4,600.00, to the Obama campaign.

John Leguizamo: February 29, 2008 she appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by his speech given in Chicago.

Sugar Ray Leonard: June 24, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Los Angeles.

Andres Levin: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Adam Levine: September 22, 2008 his colaborative song with Kanye West and Malik Yusef ”Promised Land” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99. October 1, 2008 he appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Matthew Lillard: December 10, 2007 he attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser.

Laura Linney: October 1, 2008 she appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

John Lithgow: He has donated at least $ 1,000.00 to the Obama campaign.

Lindsay Lohan: September 14, 2008 she said, I believe Barack Obama is the best choice, in this election, for president. September 17, 2008 it seems the Obama campaign turned down the actresses offer to host events to get younger voters to vote for Obama because of her party girl image. September 18, 2008 Lohan’s dad, Michael Lohan, commented that Obama had done the same things his daughter has done when he was young and if Obama has gotten ahead he should give others the benefit of the doubt because if he could change his life so can others.

Nia Long: August 22, 2008 she attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills. She has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Eva Longoria Parker: October 1, 2008 she appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video. October 4, 2008 she was in Colorado visiting college campuses telling students to resgister and to vote for Obama.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Los Lonely Boys: September 22, 2008 their song “Make It Better” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

George Lopez: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by his speech given in Chicago.

Jennifer Lopez: August 2008 she was in Denver for the DNC.

Julia Louis-Dreyfuss: She has contributed the maximum ammount, $ 4,600.00, to the Obama campaign.

Sidney Lumet: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Erick Mabius: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Seth MacFarlane: He has donated at least $ 1,000.00 to the Obama campaign.

Bernie Mack: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Madonna: August 25, 2008 in her “Sticky and Sweet” tour the singer uses a negative video montage with Adolf Hitler, Robert Mugabe, destruction, and global warming; for the Obama video montage she uses a positive message with John Lennon, Al Gore and Mahatma Gandhi. October 6, 2008 at a Madison Square Garden concert she said that Sarah Palin was not welcome at her concert, Sarah f***ing Palin, and get that bi*** out of here.

Tobey Maguire: September 16, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills. October 1, 2008 he appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video. He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Norman Mailer: He has donated at least $ 200.00 to the Obama campaign.

Natalie Maines: She has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Barry Manilow: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Taryn Manning: February 2, 2008 she appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Stephon Marbury: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Branford Marsalis: He has donated the maximum ammount, $ 4,600.00, to the Obama campaign.

Dave Matthews: August 25, 2008 he performed at the DNC in Denver.

John Mayer: September 22, 2008 his song “Waiting On The World To Change”" forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroos Movemet” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet at $ 24.99.

Auden McCaw: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Benjamin McKenzie: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

John Cougar Mellencamp: February 4, 2008 the singer was annoyed that the McCain campaign was using his music at their rallies so his representatives asked the campaign to stop using his music. February 8, 2008 the McCain campaign said they will stop using Mellencamp’s music at their rallies. Mellencamp is a long-time liberal and has played at John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, Wesley Clark, Howard Dean and Barack Obama rallies.

Bette Midler: She has donated the maximum ammount, $ 4,600.00, to the Obama campaign.

Omar Benson Miller: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Buddy Miller: September 22, 2008 his song “Wide River” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Demi Moore: September 27, 2008 the actress along with her husband Ashton Kutcher spoke at an Obama Rally in Iowa State University. They called President Bush an Idiot. Take a look at the video by Bill O’Reilly from The O’Reilly Factor that aired on Fox News. September 30, 2008 she and her husband Ashton Kutcher made a video in favor of Obama, look at the video below. October 1, 2008 she appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Segment from The O’Reilly Factor:

Pro Obama ad by Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore:

Another Ashton/Moore video in favour of Obama:

Kevin Moore (Keb’ Mo’): September 22, 2008 his song “America The Beautiful” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Esai Morales: October 1, 2008 he appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Toni Morrison: He has donated at least $ 1,000.00 to the Obama campaign.

Rob Morrow: He has donated at least $ 500.00 to the Obama campaign.

Anson Mount: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Alonzo Mourning: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Enrique Murciano: December 10, 2007 he attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser. February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Eddie Murphy: February 20, 2007 he attended a fundraiser for Obama at the Beverly Hilton. He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Seth Myers: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Jeniffer Nettles: August 25, 2008 she performed at the DNC in Denver.

Paul Newman: Has donated the maximum, $4,600, to the Obama campaign.

Randy Newman: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Craig Newmar: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Austin Nichols: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Mike Nichols: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Leonard Nimoy: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Cyntia Nixon: He has donated at least $ 1,000.00 to the Obama campaign.

Amaury Nolasco: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Edward Norton: He has donated the maximum ammount, $ 4,600.00, to the Obama campaign.

Rosie O’Donnell: She has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adelo Samuel (Seal): June 24, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Los Angeles.

Eric Christian Olsen: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Frank Oz: He has donated at least $ 2,300.00 to the Obama campaign.

Ozomatli: September 22, 2008 their song “Love & Hope” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Samuel Page: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Adrianne Palicki: February 29, 2008 she appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Gwyneth Paltrow: August 4, 2008 in the video titled “Where on Earth will YOU vote?”, produced by Democrats Abroad, she asks ex-pats to vote.

You can see the video HERE:

Nate Parker: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Mario Van Peebles: August 22, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills.

Kal Penn: December 10, 2007 he attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser. October 4, 2008 he was in Colorado visiting college campuses telling students to resgister and to vote for Obama.

Harold Perrineau, Jr.: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Ryan Phillippe: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by his speech given in Chicago.

Jesse Plemons: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Sidney Poitier: September 8, 2007 he attended the fundraiser Oprah Winfrey hosted for Obama.

Natalie Portman: October 1, 2008 she appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Dennis Quaid: June 24, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Los Angeles and said, [Obama is] the Superman for everyone.

Lonnie Rashied Lynn (Common): February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Ryan Reynolds: December 10, 2007 he attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser.

Giovanni Ribisi: October 1, 2008 he appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Alfonso Ribeiro: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Lionel Richie: September 22, 2008 his song “Eternity” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Jackson Roach: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Eric Roberts: August 22, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills.

Chris Rock: September 8, 2007 he attended the fundraiser Oprah Winfrey hosted for Obama. September 16, 2008 he attended an Obama funraiser in Beverly Hills.

Adam Rodriguez: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire. October 4, 2008 he was in Colorado visiting college campuses telling students to resgister and to vote for Obama.

Freddy Rodriguez: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Tracee Ellis Ross: February 2, 2008 she appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Maya Rubin: February 2, 2008 she appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Johnathon Schaech: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Nicole Scherzinger: December 10, 2007 she attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser. February 2, 2008 she appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Richard Schiff: August 2008 he was present at the DNC in Denver.

Jill Scott: September 22, 2008 her song “One Is The Magic #” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Kyra Sedgwick: October 1, 2008 she appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Noah Segan: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Sarah Silverman: September 16, 2008 she attended and Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills. September 2008 she made a video asking young people to travel to Florida and convince their parents to vote for Obama. October 1, 2008 she appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Homer Simpson: October 2008 Homer tries to vote for Obama.

Watch Homer trying to vote HERE.

Tom Skerritt: Has donated at least $ 1,000 to the Obama campaign.

Shaffer Chimere Smith (Ne-Yo): December 10, 2007 he performed at the Obama fundraiser the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert.

Will Smith: September 8, 2007 he attended the fundraiser Oprah Winfrey hosted for Obama. August 2008 the actor was present at the DNC in Denver. Has donated the maximum, $ 4,600, to the Obama campaign.

Steven Spielberg: February 20, 2007 along with David Geffen and Jeffrey Katzenberg they hosted a fundraiser for Obama at the Beverly Hilton. September 16, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills.

Bruce Springsteen: April 2008 the Boss endorses Obama for president in a message to his fans. October 4, 2008 he performed at an Obama “Vote for Change” registration rally at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia.

Ken Stacey: September 22, 2008 his song “America” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Dave Stewart: September 22, 2008 his song “American Prayer” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Ben Stiller: February 20, 2007 he attended a fundraiser for Obama at the Beverly Hilton.

Barbara Streisand: February 2007 she attended an Obama fundraiser in Los Angeles. July 1, 2008 the singer endorsed Obama for President. September 3, 2008 she attended the fundraiser given by Samuel L. Jackson and his wife in favor of the Obama Victory Fund, Michelle Obama was the headliner. September 16, 2008 Streisand sang at an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills.

Ethan Suplee: October 1, 2008 he appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Christine Taylor: February 20, 2007 she attended a fundraiser for Obama at the Beverly Hilton.

Charlize Theron: August 2008 she was present at the DNC in Denver.

Justin Timberlake: October 11, 2008 he and girlfriend Jessica Biel stumped for Obama at the Clark County Government Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Watch part 1 of the video where they endorse Obama HERE. Watch part two of the video HERE.

Michelle Trachtenberg: October 1, 2008 she appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Kathleen Turner: September 21, 2008 she attended a women’s rally for Obama in New York.

Aisha Tyler: February 2, 2008 she appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire. August 2008 she was present at the DNC in Denver.

Usher Raymond IV (Usher): October 1, 2008 she appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Amber Valleta: February 2, 2008 she appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in News Hampshire.

Kate Walsh: October 20, 2007 she attended an Obama fundraiser at Hancock Park, California. December 10, 2007 she attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser. February 2, 2008 she appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire. February 29, 2008 she appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago. March 29, 2008 she helped Obama campaign in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

Malcolm Jamal Warner: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by his speech given in Chicago.

Isaiah Washington: August 21 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills. Has donated at least $ 2,300 to the Obama campaign.

Kerry Washington: February 29, 2008 she appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Dereck Watkins (Fonzworth Bentley): February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Sigourney Weaver: October 10, 2008 she said Sarah Palin does not represent her and that she is incensed about Sarah Palin.

Kanye West: September 22, 2008 his colaborative song with Malik Yusef and Adam Levine “Promised Land” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Forest Whitaker: October 1, 2008 he appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video HERE.

Olivia Wilde: December 10, 2007 she attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser.

Gene Wilder: He has donated at least $ 2,300 to the Obama campaign.

WILL.I.AM (Black Eyed Peas): December 10, 2007 he attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser. February 2, 2008 he makes a pro Obama video titled “Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.  February 29, 2008 he makes the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a line from an Obama speech given in Chicago after winning 14 states in Super Tuesday. The line was, We are the ones we are waiting for. June 24, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Los Angeles. He has donated at least $ 2,300 to the Obama campaig. October 1, 2008 he appears on the “Don’t Vote (5 friends)” register and vote for Obama video.

Watch the Don’t Vote video:

Benjamin Winans (BeBe): September 22, 2008 his song “I Have A Dream” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Oprah Winfrey: On September 5, 2008 the Drudge Report said that the show is receiving a lot of emails asking that Sarah Palin be on. Half of the staff really wants Palin to appear but that Oprah and a couple of her people do not because it might hurt Obama. In 2007 continues the Drudge Report, conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was not allowed to go on when he was promoting his book. Later on September 5, 2008 Oprah stated to TMZ that she would love to have Palin on, after the election, as the staff had not discussed the Palin appearance and she had made the decision not have her show become a platform for candidates. Oprah has said about Obama: That would be my favorite guy, ….I know him well enough to believe in his moral authority. And that is the number one reason why I am supporting him, ..my Senator, my favorite Senator, and my choice. He appeared twice on Oprah, in January 2005 and October 2006, before she gave him her formal endorsement. On September 25, 2006 Oprah, on Larry King Live, said she hoped Obama ran for President. May 2007 Oprah formally endorses Obama for President. September 8, 2007 Oprah hosted an Obama fundraiser for 1,500 guests, each one donating $ 2,300 to his campaign. From November 2007 to February 2008 Oprah campaigned with Obama in Iowa, South Carolina, New Hampshire and in California. Many opine it was Oprah that introduced Obama to white American women and because of her active support suffered a huge backlash that continues to these days. August 2008 she was at the DNC in Denver praising Obama’s acceptance speech. September 2008 two University of Maryland economists say Oprah’s endorsement has given Obama approximately 1 million votes he would not have gotten otherwise. September 2008 she asked her viewers to support Senate bill 1738 proposed by Senator Joe Biden and endorsed by Senator Barack Obama. September 2008 Oprah again said her staff had not brought up having Sarah Palin on her show but would like to have her on after the election. She has donated at least $ 2,300 to the Obama campaign.

Steve Wonder: September 8, 2007 he performed at the fundraiser Oprah Winfrey hosted for Obama. August 28, 2008 he sang the song “Signed Sealed Delivered” at the DNC in Denver. September 22, 2008 his song “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Joanne Woodward: Has donated the maximum, $ 4,600, to the Obama campaign.

Sarah Wright: February 2, 2008 she appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Malik Yusef: September 22, 2008 his colaborative song with Kanye West and Adam Levine “Promised Land” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

UPDATE October 5, 2008: An updated and much longer list has been posted HERE.

The stars were chosen because they have either been recently in the news or were run across in my non-scientific Internet search. A short explanation is given about some of their comments or actions in favor of Obama but please take it with a large grain of salt as it is in no way complete. In case someone asks, of course there are a small number of stars that support the John McCain / Sarah Palin ticket like Sylvester Stallone, John Voight, Ted Nugent and Charlie Daniels.

It is no secret that most Hollywood and music stars are liberals and have become a reliable source of campaign cash for Democratic candidates. So far according to the Center for Responsive Politics the music and entertainment industry has given over $ 5.6 million to the Obama presidential effort and donated $ 3.4 million to the Hillary Clinton campaign. How did John McCain fare you ask? His campaign has received $ 885,000, total.

Not included are many rap and hip-hop stars like 50 Cent, Chamillionare, Scarface, etc., because around 95% of their community supports Obama’s candidacy. To list them all would take forever. They support Obama by using clothes with Obama’s image on them on stage, by putting up Obama or Obama/Biden banners at their concerts, etc. Almost all speak favorably of the candidate and hope the more outspoken members of their community tone down their support for fear of alienating voters that do not understand what their music is about. Some artists have said they support and will vote for Obama because he is one of them. Others say he is the most qualified for the job with race having nothing to do with their decision. To say that they are excited about this election is an understatement!

Below the stars, more or less in alphabetical order, listed by their last name. Looking for Oprah? She’s under W for Winfrey. How about Jay-Z? He’s under C for Shawn Carter. Linda Evans? Try E for Linda Evans.

Enjoy. Or not.

Jeffery Jacobs Abrams (J. J. Abrams): Has donated at least $ 2,300 to the Obama campaign.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Yolanda Adams: September 22, 2008 her song “Hold On” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Ben Affleck: July 2004 the actor said he became an Obama supporter after meeting him at the DNC in Boston. March 16, 2008 he and his wife Jennifer Garner hosted an Obama fundraiser in Boston. August 2, 2008 he gave a speech at a fundraiser supporting Obama. Has donated the maximum possible, $ 4,600, to the Obama campaign.

Jessica Alba: February 29, 2008 she appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by the speech he gave in Chicago. August 2008 she was at the DNC in Denver.

Tatyana Ali: February 2, 2008 she appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Byron Allen: Has donated at least $ 2,300 to the Obama campaign.

Pamela Anderson: July 2008 she said, I love him.., I think he’s going to win. September 12, 2008 on her official website is information on how to help get Obama elected president.

Jennifer Aniston: February 20, 2007 she attended a fundraiser for Obama at the Beverly Hilton. She has donated at least $ 2,300 to the Obama campaign.

Adam Arkin: Has donated at least $ 250 to the Obama campaign.

Tichina Arnold: February 29, 2008 she appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by the speech he gave in Chicago.

Patricia Arquette: Has donated at least $ 2,300 to the Obama campaign.

Rossana Arquette: Has donated at least $ 2,300 to the Obama campaign.

Kevin Bacon: Has donated at least $ 2,200 to the Obama campaign.

Eric Balfour: December 10, 2007 he attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser. February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Charles Barkley: 2007 he gives his full support to Obama saying, I support him wholeheartedly. August 2008 he was present at the DNC in Denver.

Jennifer Beals: June 24, 2008 she attended an Obama fundraiser in Los Angeles.

Sandra Bernhard: September 5, 2008 she said she favors Obama and really likes Joe Biden. September 2008, the comedian said that it’s better that Sarah Palin not go to Manhattan because Palin could get gang-raped by some of Bernhard’s big black brothers.

Chuck Berry: June 11, 2008 he endorsed Obama and said, It’s no question, myself being a man of color … Definitely a proud and successful moment for all the people of this country, not just black people, but Americans in general.

Halle Berry: September 8, 2007 she attended the fundraiser Oprah Winfrey hosted for Obama. Has donated at least $ 2,300 to the Obama campaign.

Jessica Biel: December 10, 2007 she attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser. 

Jon Bon Jovi: On September 5, 2008 the singer and his wife Dorothea hosted over 100 guests for a $ 30,800 per person fund raising diner in favor of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Obama campaign. Obama gave an very short speech, about 8 minutes long, to the guests before mingling.

Russel Brand: September 7, 2008 at the MTV Video Music Awards besides insulting President Bush said, Please….elect Barack Obama.

Zach Braff: February 20, 2007 he attended a fundraiser for Obama at the Beverly Hilton.

Christopher Bridges (Ludacris): April 2008 in a concert the rapper said Obama had his unwavering support on his bid to become President of the USA. In July 2008 the Obama campaign has distanced themselves from Ludacris because of his song “Politics: Obama is Here” that contains some controversial material the campaign said was outrageously offensive, something akin to: President Bush is mentally handicapped, Vice President Cheney belongs in a wheel chair paralyzed, an Obama presidency is destiny, criticized Reverend Jessie Jackson, and called Hillary Clinton a b***h.

Mehcad Brooks: December 10, 2007 he attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser.

Pierce Brosnan: September 16, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills.

Jackson Browne: On August 14, 2008 he sued the Ohio Republican party (ORp) and the Republican National Committee (RNC) because the ORp used his 1977 song “Running on Empty” in a TV ad. The ad poked fun at Obama because of his comments to tune up cars and inflate their tires to make the US independent of foreign oil. Browne has been a liberal all his life and thought that if his music was used in Republican ads the public might think he endorses McCain. Since 2004 he has contributed at least $ 4,300 to Obama’s coffers. After the lawsuit was filed the ORp pulled the ad. Browne is asking for around $75,000 in damages. September 22, 2008 his song “Looking East” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Joy Bryant: August 2008 she was present at the DNC in Denver.

Nick Cannon: December 10, 2007 he hosted the Obama fundraiser the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert. February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Shawn Carter (Jay-Z): March 3, 2008 an audio only voice recording made by the rapper is put out asking voters to vote for Obama on the Mar 4 Ohio Democratic primaries. The rapper has said he supports Obama for president. April 2008 after the ABC debate with Hillary Clinton, in a speech a few days later, Obama used the the motion of brushing dirt off his shoulder to make a point. Most people outside of the hip-hop community missed the significance of the gesture but it quickly became controversial. In a mater of days after the controversy that a presidential candidate for the first time ever used hip-hop inspired gestures during a speech had reached a crescendo, it was learned that the gesture could be related to a song by Jay-Z called “Dirt Off Your Shoulder”. The gesture meant shaking those that hate you off or getting rid of negative energy. Obama and his campaign have said that in his iPod Obama has songs by Jay-Z….

Don Cheadle: June 24, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Los Angeles and said, He’s my candidate.

George Clooney: February 2007 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Los Angeles. February 2008 he said that he had been supporting Obama for a year and a half and was very excited about his campaign. August 2008 he attended the DNC in Denver. September 2, 2008 Clooney was the main attraction at an Obama fundraiser in Switzerland where around 170 US Citizens that donated $ 1,000 heard his speech. Later on that night the actor headlined at an intimate diner style Obama fundraiser where 75 donors gave $ 10,000 each for the campaign.

Glenn Close: Has donated at least $ 2,300 to the Obama campaign.

Cliff Collins: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Sean “Diddy” Combs: June 24, 2008 at the BET Awards show the rapper endorsed Obama for President saying that if everyone registered to vote Obama will be the first black president in the history of America, then chanted “Obama or Die”. On August 31, 2008 Diddy posted his video blog “Diddy Obama Blog # 16: Attention John McCain” saying he does not agree with McCain as he is making crazy decisions like choosing Sarah Palin as his running mate because, Diddy said, there are no crackheads, black people and not enough crime in Alaska. He added that instead of Palin, McCain should have chosen Michelle Obama as his running mate.

Cindy Crawford: September 8, 2007 she attended the fundraiser Oprah Winfrey hosted for Obama. June 24, 2008 she attended an Obama fundraiser in Los Angeles.

Sheryl Crow: August 25, 2008 she performed at the DNC in Denver. September 22, 2008 her song “Out of Our heads” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Alan Cumming: August 2008 he was present at the DNC in Denver.

Jamie Lee Curtis: September 16, 2008 she attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills.

Timothy Daly: August 2008 he was present at the DNC in Denver.

Matt Damon: August 2, 2008 he gave a speech at a fundraiser supporting Obama. September 2008 in an interview the actor compared Sarah Palin’s candidacy to a bad Disney movie and would like to ask her if dinosaurs were alive 4,000 years ago.

Anna David: February 29, 2008 she appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Jonathan Davis (Q-Tip): February 4, 2008 he released a statement endorsing Barack Obama.

Rosario Dawson: August 2008 she was present at the DNC in Denver.

Antar Dayal: He is part of the group Artists for Obama who donate their work to the campaign so they can raise money and grow the Obama movement. His contribution is a print titled “Yes We Can”.

Robert De Niro: December 8, 2006 when asked whom he would like to see as president the actor responded Hillary or Obama, one of the two. February 4, 2008 De Niro appeared at an Obama rally.

Kate del Castillo: February 29, 2008 she appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by his speech given in Chicago.

Leonardo DiCaprio: September 16, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills.

Taye Diggs: December 10, 2007 he attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser.

Fran Drescher: August 22, 2008 she attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills.

Jermaine Dupri: December 10, 2007 he attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser.

Jesse Dylan: February 2, 2008 he worked on the pro Obama video “Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire. February 29, 2008 he worked on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech given by Obama in Chicago.

Jenny-Bea Englishman (Esthero): February 2, 2008 she appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Jennifer Esposito: December 10, 2007 she attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser.

Melissa Etheridge: August 2008 she was in Denver for the DNC.

Linda Evans: September 8, 2007 she attended the fundraiser Oprah Winfrey hosted for Obama.

Shepard Fairey: He is part of the group Artists for Obama who donate their work to the campaign so they can raise money and grow the Obama movement. His contribution is a print titled “Change”.

Vera Farmiga: February 2, 2008 she appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Will Ferrell: September 16, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills.

Jodi Foster: September 16, 2008 she attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills. Has donated at least $ 1,000 to the Obama campaign.

Jamie Foxx: September 8, 2007 he attended the fundraiser Oprah Winfrey hosted for Obama. August 22, 2008 the actor attended a fundraiser for Obama in Beverly Hills with his daughter. August 2008 he was present at the DNC in Denver. September 16, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills. Has donated at least $ 2,300 to the Obama campaign.

Morgan Freeman: February 20, 2007 he attended a fundraiser for Obama at the Beverly Hilton. 2007 he endorsed Obama but will not campaign with him. Freeman says he is an actor not a politician.

Troy Garity: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Jennifer Garner: March 16, 2008 she and husband Ben Affleck hosted an Obama fundraiser in Boston. August 2, 2008 she gave a speech at a fundraiser supporting Obama.

David Geffen: February 20, 2007 along with Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg they hosted a fundraiser for Obama at the Beverly Hilton. September 16, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills.

Jaime Luis Gomez (Taboo): February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a he gave in Chicago.

Fred Goldring: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Goo Goo Dolls: December 10, 2007 they performed at the Obama fundraiser the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert.

Bryan Greenberg: December 10, 2007 he attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser. February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Macy Gray: February 29, 2008 she appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by his speech given in Chicago.

Kathy Griffin: August 22, 2008 she attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills.

Luis Guzman: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by his speech given in Chicago.

Tyrese Gybson: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by the speech he gave in Chicago.

Scott Hansen: He is part of the group Artists for Obama who donate their work to the campaign so they can raise money and grow the Obama movement. His contribution is a print titled “Progress”.

Dennis Haysbert: September 16, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills.

Heart: On September 4, 2008 a ”cease-and-desist” letter was sent by singers Ann and Nancy Willson to the McCain campaign because they were using their 1970’s song “Barracuda” without their permission. The sisters added that if the McCain campaign had asked for permission it would have been denied. Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin’s nickname in High School was Sarah Barracuda thus the use of the song. The campaign says they have paid all necessary licenses to ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) and the song is available for public performances as long as the licensing fees are paid.

Herbie Hancock: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Tom Hanks: February 2007 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Los Angeles. May 4, 2008 in a video he endorsed Obama for president. Has given money to both Hillary Clinton and Obama besides many other Democratic politicians. Has donated the maximum possible, $ 4,600, to the Obama campaign.

Frances E. Harper (Hill Harper): February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Susanna Hoffs: February 29, 2008 she appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Josh Howard: July 2008 at the Allen Iverson charity football game said, God d**m [the] national anthem. After someone said Obama 08 the player said, Obama and all that s***t.

Ron Howard: February 20, 2007 he attended a fundraiser for Obama at the Beverly Hilton. September 16, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills.

Kelly Hu: February 2, 2008 she appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Samuel L. Jackson: February 24, 2008 the actor passed up an opportunity to present an Oscar at the 2008 Academy Awards because he was going to be at an Obama rally in Texas. June 24, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Los Angeles. September 3, 2008 the actor and his wife La Tanya hosted guests at their home for a fundraiser in favor of the Obama Victory Fund, Michelle Obama was the headliner.

Cheryl James (Salt): February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired a speech he gave in Chicago.

Jay Jenkins (Young Jeezy): in July 2008 he said he is the Democratic party, he does not plan to vote for McCain and supports Barack Obama. He sometimes wears the message “My President is Black” during his appearances.

Scalett Johannson: December 10, 2007 she attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser. February 2, 2008 she appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire. September 3, 2008 she attended the fundraiser given by Samuel L. Jackson and his wife in favor of the Obama Victory Fund, Michelle Obama was the headliner.

Nasir Jones (Nas): June 2008 he was the first to come out with a song about Obama’s run for the presidency titled “Black President”. On July 24, 2008 Nas said he was not endorsing Obama but does believes in Obama and that Obama is hope, change and the smartest president[ial] [candidate] he’s heard speak ever since Jimmy Carter’s time when Nas started paying attention. On the other hand, he added that Conservatives are scared of young rappers and people like him who are changing the world with their music because they do not understand them.

Ashley Judd: August 2008 she was present at the DNC in Denver.

Jeffrey Katzenberg: February 20, 2007 along with Steven Spielberg and David Geffen they hosted a fundraiser for Obama at the Beverly Hilton. September 16, 2008 he was present at an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills.

Suai Kee: September 22, 2008 her song “Am I All Alone” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Ryan Key: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired a speech he gave in Chicago.

Alicia Keyes: June 24, 2008 at the BET Awards show said black people should erase the word can’t from their vocabulary, together we can do anything, and Obama y’all.

Anthony Kiedis: December 10, 2007 he attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser.

Regina King: February 29, 2008 she appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Heidi Klum: June 24, 2008 she attended an Obama fundraiser in Los Angeles.

Ed Kowalczyk: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Zoe Kravitz: February 29, 2008 she appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by his speech given in Chicago.

Ashton Kutcher: September 27, 2008 the actor along with his wife Demi Moore spoke at an Obama Rally in Iowa State University. They called President Bush an Idiot. Take a look at the video by Bill O’Reilly from The O’Reilly Factor that aired on Fox News. September 30, 2008 he and his wife Demi Moore made a video in favor of Obama, look at the video below.

Segment from The O’Reilly Factor:

Pro Obama ad by Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore:

Another Ashton/Demi video in favour of Obama:

Cyndi Lauper: August 2008 she was present at the DNC in Denver.

Shontelle Layne (Shontelle): September 22, 2008 her song “Battle Cry” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

John Legend: 2007 in an interview he said, [Obama] is the right man for right now. November 10, 2007 he performed at an Obama rally in Iowa. February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire. April 14, 2008 Legend performed a song titled “If you’re Out There” in an Obama rally at Penn State. September 22, 2008 his song “Pride In The Name Of Love” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

John Leguizamo: February 29, 2008 she appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by his speech given in Chicago.

Sugar Ray Leonard: June 24, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Los Angeles.

Andres Levin: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Adam Levine: September 22, 2008 his colaborative song with Kanye West and Malik Yusef ”Promised Land” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Matthew Lillard: December 10, 2007 he attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser.

Lindsay Lohan: September 14, 2008 she said, I believe Barack Obama is the best choice, in this election, for president. September 17, 2008 it seems the Obama campaign turned down the actresses offer to host events to get younger voters to vote for Obama because of her party girl image. September 18, 2008 Lohan’s dad, Michael Lohan, commented that Obama had done the same things his daughter has done when he was young and if Obama has gotten ahead he should give others the benefit of the doubt because if he could change his life so can others.

Nia Long: August 22, 2008 she attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills.

Los Lonely Boys: September 22, 2008 their song “Make It Better” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

George Lopez: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by his speech given in Chicago.

Jennifer Lopez: August 2008 she was in Denver for the DNC.

Erick Mabius: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Tobey Maguire: September 16, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills.

Taryn Manning: February 2, 2008 she appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Dave Matthews: August 25, 2008 he performed at the DNC in Denver.

John Mayer: September 22, 2008 his song “Waiting On The World To Change”" forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroos Movemet” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet at $ 24.99.

Auden McCaw: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Benjamin McKenzie: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

John Cougar Mellencamp: February 4, 2008 the singer was annoyed that the McCain campaign was using his music at their rallies so his representatives asked the campaign to stop using his music. February 8, 2008 the McCain campaign said they will stop using Mellencamp’s music at their rallies. Mellencamp is a long-time liberal and has played at John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, Wesley Clark, Howard Dean and Barack Obama rallies.

Omar Benson Miller: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Buddy Miller: September 22, 2008 his song “Wide River” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Demi Moore: September 27, 2008 the actress along with her husband Ashton Kutcher spoke at an Obama Rally in Iowa State University. They called President Bush an Idiot. Take a look at the video by Bill O’Reilly from The O’Reilly Factor that aired on Fox News. September 30, 2008 she and her husband Ashton Kutcher made a video in favor of Obama, look at the video below.

Segment from The O’Reilly Factor:

Pro Obama ad by Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore:

Another Ashton/Moore video in favour of Obama:

Kevin Moore (Keb’ Mo’): September 22, 2008 his song “America The Beautiful” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Anson Mount: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Enrique Murciano: December 10, 2007 he attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser. February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Eddie Murphy: February 20, 2007 he attended a fundraiser for Obama at the Beverly Hilton.

Jeniffer Nettles: August 25, 2008 she performed at the DNC in Denver.

Paul Newman: Has donated the maximum, $4,600, to the Obama campaign.

Austin Nichols: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Amaury Nolasco: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adelo Samuel (Seal): June 24, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Los Angeles.

Eric Christian Olsen: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Ozomatli: September 22, 2008 their song “Love & Hope” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Samuel Page: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Adrianne Palicki: February 29, 2008 she appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Nate Parker: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Mario Van Peebles: August 22, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills.

Kal Penn: December 10, 2007 he attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser.

Harold Perrineau, Jr.: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Ryan Phillippe: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by his speech given in Chicago.

Jesse Plemons: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Sidney Poitier: September 8, 2007 he attended the fundraiser Oprah Winfrey hosted for Obama.

Dennis Quaid: June 24, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Los Angeles and said, [Obama is] the Superman for everyone.

Lonnie Rashied Lynn (Common): February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Ryan Reynolds: December 10, 2007 he attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser.

Alfonso Ribeiro: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Lionel Richie: September 22, 2008 his song “Eternity” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Jackson Roach: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Eric Roberts: August 22, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills.

Chris Rock: September 8, 2007 he attended the fundraiser Oprah Winfrey hosted for Obama. September 16, 2008 he attended an Obama funraiser in Beverly Hills.

Adam Rodriguez: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Freddy Rodriguez: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Tracee Ellis Ross: February 2, 2008 she appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Maya Rubin: February 2, 2008 she appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Johnathon Schaech: February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Nicole Scherzinger: December 10, 2007 she attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser. February 2, 2008 she appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Richard Schiff: August 2008 he was present at the DNC in Denver.

Jill Scott: September 22, 2008 her song “One Is The Magic #” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Noah Segan: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Sarah Silverman: September 16, 2008 she attended and Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills. September 2008 she made a video asking young people to travel to Florida and convince their parents to vote for Obama.

Tom Skerritt: Has donated at least $ 1,000 to the Obama campaign.

Shaffer Chimere Smith (Ne-Yo): December 10, 2007 he performed at the Obama fundraiser the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert.

Will Smith: September 8, 2007 he attended the fundraiser Oprah Winfrey hosted for Obama. August 2008 the actor was present at the DNC in Denver. Has donated the maximum, $ 4,600, to the Obama campaign.

Steven Spielberg: February 20, 2007 along with David Geffen and Jeffrey Katzenberg they hosted a fundraiser for Obama at the Beverly Hilton. September 16, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills.

Bruce Springsteen: April 2008 the Boss endorses Obama for president in a message to his fans.

Ken Stacey: September 22, 2008 his song “America” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Dave Stewart: September 22, 2008 his song “American Prayer” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Ben Stiller: February 20, 2007 he attended a fundraiser for Obama at the Beverly Hilton.

Barbara Streisand: February 2007 she attended an Obama fundraiser in Los Angeles. July 1, 2008 the singer endorsed Obama for President. September 3, 2008 she attended the fundraiser given by Samuel L. Jackson and his wife in favor of the Obama Victory Fund, Michelle Obama was the headliner. September 16, 2008 Streisand sang at an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills.

Christine Taylor: February 20, 2007 she attended a fundraiser for Obama at the Beverly Hilton.

Charlize Theron: August 2008 she was present at the DNC in Denver.

Kathleen Turner: September 21, 2008 she attended a women’s rally for Obama in New York.

Aisha Tyler: February 2, 2008 she appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire. August 2008 she was present at the DNC in Denver.

Amber Valleta: February 2, 2008 she appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in News Hampshire.

Kate Walsh: October 20, 2007 she attended an Obama fundraiser at Hancock Park, California. December 10, 2007 she attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser. February 2, 2008 she appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire. February 29, 2008 she appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago. March 29, 2008 she helped Obama campaign in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

Malcolm Jamal Warner: February 29, 2008 he appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by his speech given in Chicago.

Isaiah Washington: August 21 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Beverly Hills. Has donated at least $ 2,300 to the Obama campaign.

Kerry Washington: February 29, 2008 she appears on the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a speech he gave in Chicago.

Dereck Watkins (Fonzworth Bentley): February 2, 2008 he appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Kanye West: September 22, 2008 his colaborative song with Malik Yusef and Adam Levine “Promised Land” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Olivia Wilde: December 10, 2007 she attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser.

Gene Wilder: He has donated at least $ 2,300 to the Obama campaign.

WILL.I.AM (Black Eyed Peas): December 10, 2007 he attended the Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert fundraiser. February 2, 2008 he makes a pro Obama video titled “Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.  February 29, 2008 he makes the video tribute to Obama “We are The Ones” inspired by a line from an Obama speech given in Chicago after winning 14 states in Super Tuesday. The line was, We are the ones we are waiting for. June 24, 2008 he attended an Obama fundraiser in Los Angeles. He has donated at least $ 2,300 to the Obama campaig.

Benjamin Winans (BeBe): September 22, 2008 his song “I Have A Dream” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Oprah Winfrey: On September 5, 2008 the Drudge Report said that the show is receiving a lot of emails asking that Sarah Palin be on. Half of the staff really wants Palin to appear but that Oprah and a couple of her people do not because it might hurt Obama. In 2007 continues the Drudge Report, conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was not allowed to go on when he was promoting his book. Later on September 5, 2008 Oprah stated to TMZ that she would love to have Palin on, after the election, as the staff had not discussed the Palin appearance and she had made the decision not have her show become a platform for candidates. Oprah has said about Obama: That would be my favorite guy, ….I know him well enough to believe in his moral authority. And that is the number one reason why I am supporting him, ..my Senator, my favorite Senator, and my choice. He appeared twice on Oprah, in January 2005 and October 2006, before she gave him her formal endorsement. On September 25, 2006 Oprah, on Larry King Live, said she hoped Obama ran for President. May 2007 Oprah formally endorses Obama for President. September 8, 2007 Oprah hosted an Obama fundraiser for 1,500 guests, each one donating $ 2,300 to his campaign. From November 2007 to February 2008 Oprah campaigned with Obama in Iowa, South Carolina, New Hampshire and in California. Many opine it was Oprah that introduced Obama to white American women and because of her active support suffered a huge backlash that continues to these days. August 2008 she was at the DNC in Denver praising Obama’s acceptance speech. September 2008 two University of Maryland economists say Oprah’s endorsement has given Obama approximately 1 million votes he would not have gotten otherwise. September 2008 she asked her viewers to support Senate bill 1738 proposed by Senator Joe Biden and endorsed by Senator Barack Obama. September 2008 Oprah again said her staff had not brought up having Sarah Palin on her show but would like to have her on after the election. She has donated at least $ 2,300 to the Obama campaign.

Steve Wonder: September 8, 2007 he performed at the fundraiser Oprah Winfrey hosted for Obama. August 28, 2008 he sang the song “Signed Sealed Delivered” at the DNC in Denver. September 22, 2008 his song “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Joanne Woodward: Has donated the maximum, $ 4,600, to the Obama campaign.

Sarah Wright: February 2, 2008 she appears on the video ”Yes We Can” inspired by a speech given by Obama in New Hampshire.

Malik Yusef: September 22, 2008 his colaborative song with Kanye West and Adam Levine “Promised Land” forms part of the album “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” the Obama/Biden campaign is selling over the Internet for $ 24.99.

Cand LIVE a scos single-ul asta eu mi-am pus la treaba video recorder–ul Sharp primit cadou de la bunul meu prieten iranian Ali Rezah si am tras piesa de pe MTV. Am cantat-o (mai bine zis am incercat s-o cant) de zeci de ori. Astazi am gasit un cover misto facut de doo tipe si mai misto: Anouk & Sarah Bettens (K’s Choice).

Mai jos, dementialul original al dementului Ed Kowalczyk.

De Amerikaanse rockband Live met boegbeeld Ed Kowalczyk is de vierde grote naam voor The Night of the Proms 2008. Zij zullen naast Simple Minds, Sinéad O’Conner en Igudesman & Joo op het podium staan van het Sportpaleis. Er zijn al negen concertdata voorzien, want woensdag 29 oktober is als extra datum vastgelegd. Live werd opgericht in 1985, maar de echte doorbraak van Kowalczyk en zijn makkers komt er in 1994 met “Throwing Copper” en de absolute tophits als “I Alone, Selling the Drama” en “All over You”. Het album stond één jaar lang in de Bilboard Charts. Wereldwijd gingen er 12 miljoen exemplaren van het album over de toonbank. Ook de albums die volgden bleven massaal de weg naar de fans vinden. Het jongste album is “Songs From Black Mountain” uit 2006 en maakt indruk met onder meer de hitsingle “The River”.

Dedicated as we at Reading Too Much Into It are to bringing light to the dark corners of post-grunge rock lyrics, I was delighted to find, somewhere lurking at the back of my consciousness, the memory of this Live song. 

Now, of course no one outside of VH1 talking heads paid any attention to Live after 1994’s Throwing Copper, which had their one legitimate mainstream radio hit (“Lightning Crashes”) and several other modern-rock hits (“I Alone,” “Selling the Drama”).  And let’s face it; in hindsight it’s pretty embarrassing that anyone paid attention to such overwrought angsty silliness in the first place.  Though I do still get a touch a riled up remembering that my local Montana radio station bleeped out the word “placenta” in the first line of “Lightning Crashes.”

However, let’s not dwell on “Lightning Crashes” since it’s lyrical content is pretty cut-and-dried, by modern-rock standards at least.  ”Dolphin’s Cry” is late-period Live anyhow, and, watching the video, one has to admire Ed Kowalczyk’s commitment to such deeply, deeply stupid lyrics (seriously, you guys, how hilarious are those sub-Scott Stapp facial expressions?).  Beyond that, though, I was thrilled to find a genuine controversy surrounding the lyrics.  As per usual, it involves using confusing pseudo-religious metaphors to make a dumb sex joke sound all, ya know, poetical and shit. 

 the way you’re bathed in light

reminds me of that night

God laid me down into your rose garden of trust

 You don’t have to be the most critical thinker in the seminar to recognize the rose-as-vagina metaphor, or the religious-ecstasy-as-sexual-ecstasy metaphor, but it’s not often you get both in the same sentence.  Also, it’s nice to know that the God of Abraham and Jacob himself is helping bald dudes get them some.

 and I was swept away, with nothing left to say

 some helpless fool

yeah, I was lost in a swoon of peace

 Here’s where we’re going to come to the debate that rages among the fifteen Live fans on the internet.  The painfully literal among them seems to think that song is actually about two dolphins in love.  I wish I were making that up.  The more sophisticated look at the lyrics, think about the life of a semi-famous, semi-relevant touring musician, and say the song is about two lovers reunited after a long absence.  Hilarious, Kowalczyk himself weighed in onstage, revealing that the song is about… wait for it… doin’ it on a beach, and this section would seem to back him up.    But authorial intent be damned, I say, and soldier on.

 you’re all I need to find

so when the time is right

come to me sweetly, come to me

come to me

 Where would hack lyricists be without the “come” double entendre?  They always seem so proud of it, too, like they’re getting one over on the FCC or something.  No.  Just make sure it’s “sweetly,” though, ladies, like the way dolphins do it.  Take it to the chorus:

  love will lead us, alright

love will lead us, she will lead us

can you hear the dolphin’s cry

see the road rise up to meet us

It’s in the air we breathe tonight

love will lead us, she will lead us 

 Now, here’s an instance where looking closely is actually enlightening, as far as these things go.  Until this very day, I had always assumed the lyrics was “Can you hear the dolphins cry.”  Apostropheless, I pictured a whole bunch of sad dolphins, which, not paying much attention to the verses, I always took for some lame, pastoral, “Mother Nature so sad” metaphor.  I’m happy I’ve lived my life without this particular apostrophe, since it has apparently led those literal fellows I mentioned earlier to think Kowalczyk is actually describing two dolphins in the throes of lovemaking.  I don’t know quite what to say about that, except that if we take Kowalczyk’s “sex on the beach” explanation at face value, he’s talking about a dolphin making some noise while he and his ladyfriend are gettin’ busy.  Either way there’s a pervy dolphin involved, is what I’m saying. 

 oh yeah we might again, it’s like we never left

time in between was just a dream

did we leave this place?

 Thankfully, here’s the first bit of evidence for the simpler, more elegant “two lovers reunited” theory.  And… this is actually kind of sweet, in a freshmen-in-college-long-distance-relationship sort of way.  Let none say that I’m hard-hearted.

 this crazy fog surrounds me, you wrap your legs around me

all I can do is try and breathe

let me try to breath so that I

so we can go together 

 First off, ew.  Note the switch-up from “I” to “we.”  Don’t worry, girls, he’s worried about your needs, too.  I don’t think I can ew enough, here.

  life is like a shooting star, it don’t matter who you are

if you only run for cover, it’s just a waste of time

 Oh, you had to know he’d bust out the “gather ye rosebuds” bit sooner or later.  His sexin’ is of world-historical import, after all.

 we are lost till we are found

the phoenix rises up from the ground

and all these wars are over 

 I’ve a few possible interpretations for this part.  1)  If you buy the “reunited lovers” theory, it’s about the petty fear and jealousy going away.  2)  It’s the sort of nonsensical, bland, vaguely religious-sounding that is a modern-rock lyricist’s stock-and-trade.  I guess you tell which I buy.

 over, over

singin’ la da da da, da da da

come to me

 May the road rise up to meet you, dear reader!

Album Title: The Distance To Here
Artist: Live
Year: 1999
Running Time: 56m 10s

Track listing: 1 The Dolphin’s Cry; 2 The Distance; 3 Sparkle; 4 Run to the Water; 5 Sun; 6 Voodoo Lady; 7 Where Fishes Go; 8 Face and Ghost (The Children’s Song); 9 Feel the Quiet River Rage; 10 Meltdown; 11 They Stood Up For Love; 12 We Walk in the Dream; 13 Dance With You

Live would be the first to admit that “Secret Samadhi”, the 1997 follow-up to their multi-platinum “Throwing Copper”, didn’t set the world alight commercially. In a bid to try and re-cement their appeal in the US, they shifted gears slightly with 1999’s “The Distance to Here”. Moving away from the heavy, sometimes-downbeat chord sequences that helped make “Samadhi” such a powerful record but struggled to provide a hit single, Live aimed for a more diverse release.

And if hits were the aim, then “The Distance To Here” had several. ‘The Dolphin’s Cry’ is a typically explosive Live love song, doused with ethereal lyrics such as ‘The way you’re bathed in light/reminds me of that night/God laid me down into your rose garden of trust’. With a great melody and hook, it stands out as one of the albums best moments.

‘Run to the Water’, a tale of the search for salvation, is a tight and likeable mid-tempo moment. Lyrically (like a significant part of the album), it’s a bit tired. The well-worn path of lines like ‘Adam and Eve live down the street from me/Babylon is every town’ is a rehash of the Christian/love your brother idea that Live have done numerous times before. ‘The Distance’ also comes up trumps although again the church organ coupled with obvious church images like ‘I’ve been to pretty buildings all in search of you/I’ve lit all the candles, sat in all the pews’ make you feel like Live are imposing their beliefs rather than inviting you to listen to them as they had done before.

But beyond the familiarity and the seeming imposition, are some rocking tracks. ‘Sparkle’ is a guitar-driven number that although sending a familiar message (‘the vision that changed my mind/From hate to faith/Was as simple as grapes to wine’) wins you over with it’s throbbing chorus and scorched-sounding vocals. ‘Sun’, recalling visions of ancient sun-worshippers giving up their hearts and minds to the unknown in the sky, also works with it’s urgent start-stop verse and edgy chorus. And working really well is ‘Where Fishes Go’, describing a meeting with God (‘Yeah I found god/And he was absolutely nothin’ like me/He showed me up like some dime-store hooker’), which turns into one of humility (‘I couldn’t take it anymore so I went back to the sea/Cuz’ that’s where fishes go/When fishes get the sense to flee’). Lead singer Ed Kowalczyk then feels mocked as he sings ‘Where you goin’ now?/Whats your plan?’.

‘Voodoo Lady’ is an interesting pseudo-R&B moment. Gritty and sleazy, dirty lyrics like ‘Light up a cigarette she said/And calm the fuck down’ bump along a focused bass-line, while the metallic chorus tells a tale of deprivation and temptation (‘Hey! I’ve made up my mind, yeah/I came to see your sign/Disappear this mornin’ but come back tonight’). ‘Face and Ghost’ is a mid-tempo number with a haunting quality. ‘Can you hear that children’s song?/Can you take me to that place?’ -lyrics that fit perfectly with the near-celestial quality of the soundtrack.

‘Feel the Quiet River Rage’ is reminiscent of the semi-acoustic work that Live produced on their debut release, only it works much better here with the experience they’ve developed over the years. Having said that, it’s a song that never really goes where it should, travelling slowly on distorted vocals and peculiar lyrics (‘Afraid to lay naked in the sun/He’s crazy, she dances in the light’ and ‘an invisible Mississippi, Ganges or a Nile/I can feel the quiet river rage/Forcin’ my lips into a smile’).

Not quite hitting the mark either is ‘Meltdown’. A straightforward musical moment that just doesn’t hook you in like earlier tracks, it does however feature some good guitar work from Chad Taylor. ‘They Stood Up For Love’ is an anthemic reverse of Live’s usual light verse/heavy chorus modus operandi. The synth-heavy verse is the strongest part of the track, along with the INXS-influenced mid-section. The problem with the chorus is that it is a somewhat lyrical headache – ‘We spend all of our lives goin’ out of our minds/Looking back to our birth, forward to our demise/Even scientists say, everything is just light/Not created, destroyed but eternally bright’. It’s a lot to digest.

“The Distance to Here” peters out, sadly. ‘We Walk in the Dream’ is a Crowded House moment with guitars. Ed seems to get totally lost with the lyrical imagery – ‘Like an eagle cuts through the air/No time for fear/Faith in his wings takes him there/Now we walk in the dream’ – it’s an overworked lyrical trick that has outstayed its welcome. ‘Dance With You’ is another disappointing moment that seems devoid of energy or any sort of invention.

After the brilliance of their last two albums, Live have half-done the job here. “The Distance to Here” is an uneven release that seems too self-conscious to be a triumph. Taking on board the criticism that “Secret Samadhi” (unfairly in my opinion) received, the band have mixed a more acoustic and simplistic sound of their earlier work with the rock stylings of later work. It’s the simpler stuff that doesn’t work (‘Meltdown’, ‘Dance With You’, ‘Feel the Quiet River Rage’), and the rock numbers that work brilliantly (‘Sun’, ‘The Distance’, ‘The Dolphin’s Cry’). Rather interestingly, the use of distorted vocals and instruments on occasion was to lay the groundwork for their fifth album…but that’s another story for another day.

Just about recommended, don’t expect the album to thrill you from start to finish.

Album Title: Throwing Copper
Artist: Live
Year: 1994
Running Time: 59m 32s

Track listing: 1 The Dam at Otter Creek; 2 Selling the Drama; 3 I Alone; 4 Iris; 5 Lightning Crashes; 6 Top; 7 All Over You; 8 Shit Towne; 9 T.B.D.; 10 Stage; 11 Waitress; 12 Pillar of Davidson; 13 White, Discussion; 14 Horse

Following on from their well received debut release, “Mental Jewelry” in 1991, Live took three years to come up with “Throwing Copper”. Like “Mental Jewelry”, this was an album that was quite easy to pigeon hole. But whereas the debut was a thin-sounding, Christian folk-rock. college album, “Throwing Copper” was a tougher and fuller rock record full of less literal, and yet more wholesome music. For the first time, we hear Live really let loose on their instruments. Ed Kowalcyzk’s vocals, which were impressive enough before, really explode this time – screeching and soaring, but also soft and pronounced when required.

‘The Dam at Otter Creek’ avoids the mistakes that lent to making their debut a flawed album. The slow-building, lone guitar carries mysterious lyrics like ‘just like when the guys/built the dam at otter creek/and the water backed up/deep enough to dive’. But in time the band crash in with a fast and hard-rocking assault that is almost disorientating in its passion.

They repeat the trick on the amazing ‘I Alone’. The hard-hitting and powerful chorus is a perfect balance to the tempered verse where lyrics like ‘it’s easier not to be wise/and measure these things by your brains’ when in context, provoke more than anything on “Mental Jewelry”. On that album the accusation was that the lyrics were too ‘obvious’. The theme hasn’t changed here, but this time the Christian message is hidden behind clever lines like ‘I sank into Eden with you/alone in the church’ and ‘the greatest of teachers won’t hesitate/to leave you there, by yourself, chained to fate’.

Simple but effectively, ‘Shit Towne’ describes the decay in suburbia. ‘The crackheads live down the street from me/the tall grass makes it hard to see/beyond my propery/hey man, this is criminal’ mourns Ed, before denouncing this society as ‘Shit Towne’.

‘Top’ is a song I can relate to very well. Commenting on the various cults and freaks in society who lead people ‘in the name of God and love’, Ed claims they are responsible for ‘the distribution of fear’. But it’s simple people who are blinded by their credentials (‘I haven’t got your degree/and I forgot your name’). He finally brings it back to the greatest and deadliest crank of all time: ‘Hitler, in a robe of truth/my emptiness built your altar/and I’ve worshipped myself in you forever’.

Two of the most hard-hitting tracks are the stunning mid-tempo rocker, ‘Selling the Drama’ and acoustic classic ‘Lightning Crashes’. The former is a semi-acoustic number itself, that doesn’t excel lyrically as much as it does musically. Using visions of heaven and hell through phrases like ‘to love a god/to fear a flame’ and ‘to Christ, a cross/to me, a chair’, it’s difficult to know quite what message the lyrics are sending – perhaps a case of Ed trying to be a little too obscure, for me at any rate.

‘Lightning Crashes’ is the radio-hit that pushed “Throwing Copper” to #1 on the Billbaord charts a year after it was released. An incredibly powerful, poignant song that relates a moment in time for three generations of women. A woman has just given birth (‘a new mother cries/her placenta falls to the floor’) to a baby girl (‘the angel opens her eyes/the confusion sets in/before the doctor can even close the door’), at the same time that another mother has passed on (‘an old mother dies/her intentions fall to the floor/the angel closes her eyes/the confusion that was hers/belongs now to the baby down the hall’). It’s an affecting tune, that resonates hope as much as it portrays hopelessness. In the context of it’s own moment in time, ‘Lightning Crashes’ became the theme tune for Americans in the wake of the Oklahoma bombing.

‘All Over You’ is a crunching love-song with a simplistic hook that you can’t resist bopping your head and feet to. What’s particularly nice is the forboding mid-song instrumental that really turns things upside down and keeps it interesting. Great stuff.

Speaking of obscurity, the oddly-arranged ‘Iris’ hints at domestic abuse with lines like ‘I liked the way my hand looked on your head/in the presence of my knuckles’ and just what was ‘perverted by the sentimental/and mistaken by love’? The cryptic lyrics really add a new depth to Live’s music, and with the music also having new depth itself, it’s a perfect combination.

‘Waitress’ is more alternative, maybe slightly grungy – a sound that Live do very well. Quite simply Ed reckons that the bad-tempered waitress (’she was a bitch, but I don’t care’) is deserving of a tip (‘come on baby leave some change behind…everybody’s good eonugh for some change’). He explains that we’re all human regardless of our walk of life (we all get the flu/we all get aids/we’ve all got to stick together’).

‘T.B.D.’ is a completely different sound, slow and bass-driven, which is seemingly about an avid bible reader (‘reading too much and losing my head…now I’m remembering God…the print is smaller than the ants in the grass’) who believes that the message should be in life, and not in a book (‘this is how I’ll go out tonight/and I don’t need a book’). An interesting experiment. But ‘Stage’ rocks us out again with a near-metal onslaught that deals with excesses in life (‘I wanna feel/I wanna try/I wanna rock the city tonight/I wanna deal/don’t wanna die’).

The two longest songs on the album come near the end. ‘Pillar of Davidson’ could easily be REM, a band that Live sounded like frequently on their debut. A jagged vocal from Ed sits uncomfortably over a downbeat tempo, but roars into life for the tuneful chorus. At nearly seven minutes, it is to the credit of the band that the song doesn’t outstay it’s welcome and stands as a more than competent composition.

‘White, Discussion’ is a present-day concert favourite, and rightly so. Live have some fun on the arrangement, essentially placing the choruses within the first two minutes and leaving the final four minutes to unleash a bombardment of howling vocals, guitar solos, thundering rhythm section and distortion. A tremendous way to finish the album…or is it…

The infamous hidden track rears its head again. Live were doing a terrific country-acoustic track called ‘Horse’ long before Travis hit the big-time. It doesn’t sound much like anything else on “Throwing Copper” so placing it away behind the last track was a harmless idea. Great sound, great hook and terrific vocals once again.

This is rightly regarded as one of rock music’s great records. There’s nothing particularly weak on it and in context, the entire album is likable from top to bottom. Live learnt an awful lot about song-writing in the three years since their prior release. For that we can be eternally grateful.

Album Title: Birds of Pray
Artist: Live
Year: 2003
Running Time: 44m 25s

Track listing: 1 Heaven; 2 She; 3 The Sanctity of Dreams; 4 Run Away; 5 Life Marches On; 6 Like I Do; 7 Sweet Release; 8 Every Time I See Your Face; 9 Lighthouse; 10 River Town; 11 Out to Dry; 12 Bring the People Together; 13 What Are We Fighting For?

After a difficult two-year period, Live have returned with the aim of re-establishing themselves in the rock mainstream. The gutsy “V” was a commercial failure and their sixth full-length release, “Birds of Pray”, has become a key release for the Pennsylvanian foursome. And if we judged a book by it’s cover (which you could have done with the gritty cover art for “V”), then “Birds of Pray” cries serenity, perhaps maturity. And if the cover suggests it, then the music confirms it.

The gentle opening chords of lead single ‘Heaven’ are a clear indication that the band have returned to their more classic sound. A plea to the people, lead singer Ed Kowalczyk suggests that it’s time to reclaim our spirituality – ‘You don’t need no friends/get back your faith again/you have the power to believe’. Inspired by the birth of his daughter (‘I don’t need no one to tell me about heaven/I look at my daughter and I believe’), ‘Heaven’ is a cracking tune – and indeed the track, which has laboured in the lower reaches of the chart for six months, has finally made a breakthrough into the Billboard top 100.

While ‘Heaven’ does rock, there’s a grittier edge to ‘She’. Paying homage to a possible femme fatale (‘bring back that hair-down/unguarded mystery’), the powerful chorus of ’she sets my soul free/now every word she speaks to me is pure gold’ is terrifically catchy and possible single material. It fares better than the promising but ultimately disappointing ‘The Sanctity of Dreams’. An irritating sing-a-long chorus and patchy lyrics counter a killer riff. How do you go from ‘Paint a moustache on the Mona Lisa’ and ‘Pick up a pen and fight a war for the right to dream’ to ‘No more hidin’ in the house of the dead/I think I’ll grow some dreads’?

But the disappointment doesn’t last long. ‘Life Marches On’ is a throbbing, feel-good number that exudes the virtues of country life over a city dwelling – ‘what’s the use of being so high up/when it’s only going to bleed you dry?’, Ed asks quite sensibly. The mid-section tone and tempo-change is perfectly judged and once again you find yourself thinking that this baby could be a single.

‘Like I Do’ is moodier, with a heavier bass line and rawer vocal edge, but doesn’t cover much ground lyrically. Expressing love for a woman (‘I feel like a god when I am next to you/Somethin’ sacred, someone straight and true/Tell me do you feel the same way too?’), the message is simply rehashed throughout the track, only becoming a little more interesting during the robust chorus.

‘Every Time I See Your Face’ is acoustic pop-rock that would sound more at home with Robbie Williams or one of the braver Pop Idols. Like on 1999s “The Distance to Here”, Ed goes a little overboard on the lyrics. ‘Every time I see your face/it’s like heaven opens up her gates/and I fall behind, I just close my eyes’, is far too generic a lyric to be interesting. It then gets a bit pompous and silly: ‘If the quicksand of love and deception/finds a way to come between you and me/don’t fret, I’m gonna cut through the darkness and set us free’.

And while ‘Lighthouse’ is made of sterner stuff, it still fails to really rouse. The harmonies and reasonably catch chorus are welcome, but ultimately this rocker is left foundering on the middle ground. ‘River Town’ and ‘Out to Dry’ fall into the same category. In a direction that sums up half the record, earnest leanings are tempered by a sense of mediocrity. Never an easy band to interpret, it seems that the lyrical vagueness is now becoming a weak link. In ‘Out to Dry’, Ed sings ‘These things that sustain me/Oh how they drain me/I’ll never hang you out to dry’. What’s that supposed to mean? The guitars are strumming and the controlled aggression is there…but the song is…boring.

But I don’t want to give the impression that this album totally misses the mark. ‘Sweet Release’ is the sort of song I’ve been waiting for. Provocative and uplifting it is one of the few moments where a track reaches the heights of ‘I Alone’ or ‘The Dolphins Cry’. Tried and tested formula it might be, but the bars that lead from the gentle verse to the stirring chorus remind you why you are a Live fan. A true classic.

Energetic and frantic, ‘Bring the People Together’ is a war-cry to the masses. ‘It’s a crime, this dark time/We wait for presidents that never turn the tide’, Ed muses, explaining that it is ‘for the sake of these children we leave behind’. Great band performance, especially from Chad Gracey on stick duty.

And changing the pace one-eighty is the album closer, ‘What Are We Fighting For?’. An obvious reflection of world events over the previous two years, this powerful, electric-tinged ballad could make a huge impact on the charts. With lyrics like ‘Oil and blood on the bayonet’ and ‘The world got smaller but the bombs got bigger/Holocaust on a hairpin trigger’, a video clip featuring Mister Bush, Blair, Sharon and Arafat, would create an unforgettable, oft-repeated legacy for MTV.

‘Run Away’, a single in Holland, is the weakest song on the album. A departure for the band in that it features no electrics at all, it winds up a tired-sounding ballad whose only note-worthy moments are derived from Ed’s always-interesting falsetto vocal.

While I’ve been critical of a handful of songs on “Birds of Pray”, there is still enough material here to make this a worthwhile acquisition. It’s true that Live have set very high standards for themselves since 1994s “Throwing Copper”, and negative comments are normally a result of them falling short of these musical blueprints.

Album Title: Secret Samadhi
Artist: Live
Year: 1997
Running Time: 53m 27s

Track listing: 1 Rattlesnake; 2 Lakini’s Juice; 3 Graze; 4 Century; 5 Ghost; 6 Unsheathed; 7 Insomnia and the Hole in the Universe; 8 Turn My Head; 9 Heropsychodreamer; 10 Freaks; 11 Merica; 12 Gas Hed Gone West

Live were kept busy by the success of “Throwing Copper” in the mid-ninties, but as with their leap from “Mental Jewelry” to that album, they made another change in direction when recording “Secret Samadhi”. The line-up was the same (odd for a rock band in 90s America – eg Faith No More, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Guns N Roses), but creatively they took slight detours, aiming to bring their audience with them on the journey rather than radically attempt to attract a new one.

If you enjoyed the guitars that permeated “Throwing Copper” then you’ll appreciate that the wall-to-wall sound is re-created here. But things are a little slower in tempo. Take opener ‘Rattlesnake’, a guitar-driven, hook-laden, mid-tempo rocker about a ‘crazy, mixed up town’. Patrick Dahlheimer’s bass really stands out here but musically it’s an all round top effort. The only problem are with the second-grade lyrics: ‘is it money, is it fame/or where they always this lame’ and easy-rhyming like ‘let’s go hang out in a church/we’ll go find Lurch’.

‘Lakini’s Juice’ unmistakable riff makes this one of the album’s stand-out tracks. This is nothing like ‘I Alone’, ‘Waitress’ or ‘All Over You’. It’s a slowed-down, beefed-up slab of power-rock, complete with cryptic lyrics, killer chorus and befitting string section. You’d never confuse it with any other Live song, whether you like the track or not. Similarly ‘Freaks’, a strange tale about people who behave a little differently (‘if the mother goes to bed with you/will you run and tell Geraldo’), is a gradually-building tune that erupts during the chorus. Like ‘Lakini’s Juice’, it’s very distinct and works well.

‘Graze’ is the kind of tune that the new Metallica might have liked to have done. ‘We came to the earth to graze/everyone’s digging in/now there’s no time to live’, Ed bemoans during the unforgettable chorus. Again it’s a slow number that really pulls you in, no more so than when Ed goes falsetto with the word ‘live’. A superb track.

Three years before the millenium, and Live were already throwing out tales of devestation in ‘Century’. ‘Everybodys anxious/for the coming of the crisis/the collapse of the justice’ – a slightly exaggerated telling of what it was actually like but at that time he only had sci-fi movies and books to go by. Lyrically, they have lost the run of themselves a little with ‘I can smell your armpits’ which is not a very pleasant image.

‘Ghost’ mirrors the Adam and Eve story of temptation – ‘boy loses a rib in New Orleans/he can’t help eyein’ up the whores’ – and ‘Unsheathed’ is another serene tune that goes off in an angry musical and lyrical storm during the chorus of ‘Free love is a knife through the jugular vein, son’.

We finally tone things down during what is probably Live’s most tender number, ‘Turn My Head’, a very likable effort. But we’re grunging-up again with ‘Heropsychodreamer’, a tune very similar to what Pearl Jam were doing on “Yield” at the same time. The lyrics are very odd though, and it’s hard to know what Ed is referring to. ‘the subconcious keeps me here/i fell in love with a balladeer/i saw your tongue, it licked my heart/they call you queer’.

I finally know where Aerosmith got the riff for ‘Jaded’! Kind of. It’s called ‘Merica’, and it’s got a catchy chorus but more unfathomable lyrics: ‘looks like America’s dropped her load/she tried to call me on the telephone/”everything is fine now the baby’s here”/she’ll have to handle this on her own’.

‘Insomnia and the Hole in the Universe’ sounds very similar to ‘Rattlesnake’ and I’m a bit surprised it was included because of the likeness to the opening track. It’s a good number though, musically powerful and lyrically obtuse. The album finishes very strongly with ‘Gas Hed Goes West’, a beautifully crafted country-rock number.

It’s difficult to discuss the songs in too much depth because they are so hard to understand. The lyrical are, in all honesty, completely obscure and difficult to comprehend within context. I know there were complaints of how literally the band wrote on “Mental Jewelry”, but I feel that they took it a step too far on this record. Luckily the music is powerful and deliberate and stands up on it’s own two feet. “Secret Samadhi” might not have obtained the success that “Throwing Copper” did but it’s not far off being that albums equal. Very underrated.

Album Title: Awake: The Best of Live
Artist: Live
Year: 2004
Running Time: 76m 58s

Track listing: 1 Operation Spirit (The Tyranny of Tradition); 2 The Beauty of Gray; 3 Selling the Drama; 4 I Alone; 5 Lightning Crashes; 6 All Over You; 7 We Deal in Dreams; 8 Lakini’s Juice; 9 Turn My Head; 10 The Dophin’s Cry; 11 Run to the Water; 12 They Stood Up For Love (Acoustic); 13 The Distance; 14 Dance With You; 15 Overcome; 16 Nobody Knows; 17 Heaven; 18 Run Away (with Shelby Lynne); 19 I Walk The Line

Note: This album reviews the South African version. There are Australian, European and American releases with slightly altered track listings.

Pennsylvania’s much celebrated rockers Live have finally decided that it is time for a greatest hits. I suppose there is no time like the present even if these things are often rejected by long-time fans who generally speaking will have collected all the material anyway. Their career spans thireen years and six studio albums, half of which have received little acclaim outside of their loyal fanbase. Having said that, there are not many people who won’t recognise a single Live track from their popular hey-day in the mid ninties.

The album is put together chronologically, often the best way for these albums to be compiled. Their debut record “Mental Jewelry” is represented sparingly, thankfully. A limited album that shows up the inexperienced song-writing abilities of the band, it presents two of the better tracks from it, ‘Operation Spirit’ and ‘The Beauty of Gray’. ‘Operation Spirit’, a song about lost faith (‘what a man was two thousand years ago/means nothing at all to me today’), is rhythmically quite strong, while the latter is a semi-acoustic track that asks us to be more tolerant to each other and accept that it’s ‘not a black and white world’. Note: Other versions of the album include the opening track from “Mental Jewelry”, ‘Pain Lies on the Riverside’.

The band’s golden era then kicks off. The smash-hit trio of ‘Selling the Drama’, ‘I Alone’ and ‘Lightning Crashes’ from their #1 Billboard album, “Throwing Copper”, is as well known as the band became. Lyrically-obscure rocker, ‘Selling the Drama’, is among one of the band’s many finer moments. Full of spiritual imagery (‘to love a God/to fear a flame; to Christ, a cross/to me, a chair’) and thumping guitar track, it delivers a memorable hook for the first time on the album. Indeed, the lack of a hook was the big problem with their debut record but it was something they put right from then on.

‘I Alone’ is the first Live song I ever heard on the radio here in Ireland in 1994, and remains one of my favourites. As close to metal as the band ever got, they moved from the far too literal lyrical content of their opening album to clever hidden spirituality in lines like ‘I sank in to Eden with you/Alone in the church’ and ‘The greatest of teachers won’t hesitate/To leave you there, by yourself, chained to fate’.

The track that broke them in the US was ‘Lightning Crashes’, a song adapted as an anthem by a country cracked by the Oklahoma bombings in 1995. Powerful and poignant it seems to tell the story of the cycle of life, referring to three generations of women; a woman who has just given birth (‘a new woman cries/her placenta falls to the floor’), a baby girl (‘the angel opens her eyes/the confusion sets in/before the doctor can even close the door’) and an old mother (‘an old mother dies/her intentions fall to the floor/the angel closes her eyes/the confusion that was hers/belongs now to the baby down the hall’). A memorable tune that, as much as anything else, showed that Live were serious songwriters. Also featured from their “Throwing Copper” opus is ‘All Over You’, a breakneck love song that pauses only during the verses and the brilliant, dark, forboding mid-section.

It’s easy to be critical of what is left off – ‘White Discussion’ could have slotted in here for example, – but four tracks is enough, bearing in mind that ‘We Deal in Dreams’, a previously unreleased song left off “Throwing Copper”, has been included. It’s familiar enough; a mid-tempo acoustic verse that laments how hard it is to live in today’s world (‘Don’t you feel so very pointless here/In the feelings of the rain/In the violence of the sun’), and the terrible sadness that seems to exist everywhere (‘What do you do/What do you say/When the blood spilled is of your loved one’). The chrous refrain of ‘We deal in dreams’ is a message of hope about religion. You don’t need to buy into it to enjoy it.

‘Lakinis Juice’, from their third record “Secret Samadhi”, is very, very different. The unmistakable riff, slowed-down, beefed-up sound, engrossingly cryptic lyrics and outstanding chorus make this one of the stand-out moments of this greatest hits. To release as the lead single after the chart-friendly ‘Lightning Crashes’ was a calculated message from Live to the public – this is us, how you like us now?

‘Turn my Head’ is the only other song from the album that makes it to this release. Very much a return to the tenderer side of the band, this beautiful ballad is restrained in every way and is a nice counter-balance to ‘Lakinis’. Rather surprisingly the band chose to leave off the excellent ‘Freaks’.

Their fourth album “The Distance to Here” seemed to edge back more towards the sound of “Throwing Copper” and features some great material. ‘The Dolphin’s Cry’ is a marvellous rocker, primed with more etheral lyrics: ”The way you’re bathed in light/reminds me of that night/God laid me down into your rose garden of trust’. But the song doesn’t wimp out, it features the same rock-out tendencies of material like ‘Freaks’ and ‘I Alone’. Excellent stuff.

‘Run to the Water’ is a decent mid-tempo moment. A song about the search for salvation it does suffer from slightly tired lyrics (‘Adam and Eve live down the street from me/Babylon is every town’ ) but the chorus is pleasant and it’s anthemic qualities are obvious. Shaking things up a little bit, the band include an acoustic version of ‘They Stood Up For Love’. I suppose for fans it’s nice to have an alternative, but I prefer the faster, rockier version on the studio album. It certainly gives the song a new dynamic though and the slowed-down performance actually helps accentuate the hard-hitting chorus of ‘We spend all of our lives goin’ out of our minds/Looking back to our birth, forward to our demise/Even scientists say, everything is just light/Not created, destroyed but eternally bright’.

‘The Distance’ comes up trumps although, as I pointed out in my initial album review of “Secret Samadhi”, lyrical content like ‘I’ve been to pretty buildings all in search of you/I’ve lit all the candles, sat in all the pews’ seems to impose a little more spirituality than it should. I don’t want to listen to a song and be told about religion – I want to listen and hear it for myself. ‘Dance With You’ is a disappointing inclusion, a song that really fails to inspire or interest much.

Their fifth album, “V”, a total change in direction, was a big blip. It came out a week after September 11th 2001 and suffered as a result. ‘Overcome’ did, in the aftermath, become another TV anthem for the victims of the 9/11 tragedy. The song, slow and emotive, features lead singer Ed Kowalcyzk singing to a piano and minimal string backing. Good song that represents a moment in time for many people. A curious inclusion is ‘Nobody Knows’, a song that wasn’t a single, but I’ve always had a liking for. An acoustic ballad that seems to reflect Ed’s strong religious beliefs (‘And nobody really knows what I would do for you/Nobody really knows how much i love you’; ‘I cleared my mind and I turned around/Grateful to the one who had laid me down/I was silent in love/Pourin’ down from above’).

Curiously the band have left off singles ‘Simple Creed’, ‘Like a Soldier’ (although maybe not that surprising as it’s not that great a track) and the excellent ‘Forever May Not be Long Enough’ from “The Mummy Returns” soundtrack. This is where I would have dropped something like ‘Dance With You’ and put one of the above tunes in just to spice up the tail end of this collection.

Sixth album “Birds of Pray” returned to the band’s classic sound and is represented by Billboard hit single ‘Heaven’ and ‘Run Away’. ‘Heaven’ is an uplifting power-ballad, a message to us to reclaim our faith: ‘You don’t need no friends/get back your faith again/you have the power to believe’. The reasoning for including mellow driving song ‘Run Away’ seems to be two-fold. Firstly it is a favourite of Ed’s despite being recognised as one of “Birds of Pray”’s weakest moments, but secondly the version here is a duet recorded with Shelby Lynne, who I must confess I’d never heard of. She does a good job, fine singer that she is, but the song is not that worthy and it’s disappointing that it is here instead of some of the better tracks from their last record like ‘Sweet Release’ or ‘What are We Fighting For?’.

The album closes with a version of Johnny Cash’s ‘I Walk the Line’. It’s a curious but interesting inclusion and I suppose gives fans something new to buy even if it’s maybe not the best choice of song to represent Live’s back catalogue.

All in all, a fine collection. For a first timer or someone who lost track of Live about 10 years ago, this is a great way to catch up. Each of Live’s studio album’s have their high points and the biggest criticism you could aim at this collection is that it leaves off quite a few of them.