Athens, Georgia Rockers Team Up to Protect Their City
Prompted by a proposed Wal-Mart in the heart of Athens, Georgia, Drive-By Truckers frontman Patterson Hood teamed up with John Bell and Todd Nance of Widespread Panic, Mike Mills of R.E.M., and many more Athens-based musicians to protect the small businesses of their town. Their shared interest in keeping Wal-Mart out and supporting small businesses led the musicians to unite and create a powerful protest song: After It’s Gone.
The college town outside of Atlanta is home to the University of Georgia, as well as a small business district that thrives on the patronage of students, alumni and locals. The music video ...
New App Brings Iconic Music Photography to Your iPad
Legendary photographer Danny Clinch has worked with some of the biggest names in music over the last few decades. Phish, Tupac, Bob Dylan, Radiohead and Johnny Cash have all been on the other side of Clinch’s lens, and his work has been featured on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine numerous times. Now you can view some of his best work on your iPad with the new “Discovery Inn” app in the iTunes store.
While anyone can look at Clinch’s work for free with a simple Google Image search, the “Discovery Inn” app allows you to hear narration for every ...
Education Issue Update: The GOP and Education
It's been proven over and over: education gets the attention of voters. As the Republican primaries proceed, it's worth taking a good, hard look at the candidates' stances. This is one area where they have some real differences.
First up, longtime watchers of education policy will remember Rick Santorum as the senator who proposed the Santorum Amendment back in 2001, an attempt to require the teaching of creationism in schools while questioning the validity of the theory of evolution. He still strongly supports this movement.
Mitt Romney has laid out an education policy position that stresses standardized testing and school choice, although he has not taken a position on vouchers (a system where families would ...
Interview: Amanda Palmer Rages Against Wall Street
Music and musicians have been at the heart of the Occupy movement. And while there may not be a single anthem that defines the cause; a notable, and badass artist who has used her voice to stand with the 99% is Amanda Palmer. The founding member of the Dresden Dolls has been performing impromptu ‘ninja gigs' all over the country including Oakland, Vancouver, New York, and in her hometown of Boston. Amanda uses social media outlets like Twitter (@amandapalmer) and her blog to share her travels and ultimately bring new faces to the movement. We got a chance to catch ...
“Liberal Massachusetts” Reacts to Goalie Snubbing Obama
The HeadCount blog is a forum for our community where we welcome all opinions and perspectives. The following does not necessarily represent the views of the HeadCount organization. We welcome anyone with an opposing viewpoint to become a contributor to our blog. Please email editor@headcount.org for more information.
In hockey, a “Goalie Controversy” usually refers to differing opinions of who should be a starter. This week it took on new meaning when the Stanley Cup-winning Bruins visited President Obama at the White House, and starting goaltender Tim Thomas - the only American player on the Bruins with his name on the trophy - ...
Live From TRI: A First-Hand Account
HeadCount Board of Directors member Bob Weir performed at his TRIStudios last night, which was Webcast live. Bob was kind enough to invite some HeadCount volunteers to attend. Here is one volunteer's account.
It was great to see Bobby in his newly finished TRI Studios in Marin last night. TRI Studios is a perfect setting for a band to rehearse, record and broadcast. Given it is Bobby's place, it was only fitting that Ratdog do a broadcast there.
There was lots of love in the room between the band members and the small group of friends and invitees in attendance. It's an ...
Can you Gamble on Elections? You Betchya
What if I told you there was a way you could get rich off this upcoming election season. No, I'm not talking about selling "Anybody But Romney" T-Shirts at the Republican National Convention. I'm talking about gambling. You can put your money where your mouth is by betting on candidates through a little known gambling system called a "political prediction market."
So what is a political prediction market exactly? Well, its sort of a cross between a stock market and sports betting. People buy “shares” of a particular candidate and they either make or lose money depending on whether or not ...
In the midst of the GOP Primaries, lots of hot issues come up. But, you know I’m always listening to what they’re saying about the beloved Gulf region. After all, what could possibly be more politically polarizing than that dirty ‘ol black gold? Talk of digging, drilling and piping oil has been a constant in the Republican primary debates. Let's dig a little deeper.
Mitt Romney is not afraid of aggressive domestic energy exploration. He plans to expand domestic exploration and drilling in areas where it has been previously approved. Former GOP candidate, Rick Perry went as far as saying that drilling for more oil is the key to America's economic future. Both Romney and Perry ...
Turning Sh*t Into Gold
Have you ever wondered what happens when you flush your toilet? In Kenya? If you live in one of Kenya’s urban slums then your toilet does not flush. Your toilet could be a plastic bag known as a flying toilet or a bucket whose untreated contents are later emptied directly into your environment. During rainy periods residents - particularly women and children - become susceptible to deadly waterborne illnesses like typhoid and cholera.
So now that you're completely grossed out, I hope you find this idea refreshing... What if each flush meant money for small businesses and fertilizer acceptable for use in agriculture?
A team of recent MIT ...
Personal Liberty Issue Update: Freedom, the Constitution and the Candidates
Personal liberty, freedom, and the Constitution are at the core of the Republican presidential candidates’ talking points. With the 2012 primaries in full swing, talk of protecting your liberties and constitutional freedoms are all over the airwaves. So what exactly does freedom and liberty mean to the GOP Presidential candidates? Here’s a quick look…
Avowed libertarian Ron Paul breaks with the rest of the field in opposing the Patriot Act, a bill designed to combat terrorism, that some feel goes too far, infringing on privacy and other liberties. Challenging America’s role as "World Policeman", Paul claims that 75% of Americans are calling for the ...
You know the bicycle on each label of New Belgium's "Fat Tire Ale"? Did you know that every employee-owner at New Belgium gets his or her own custom bike when they've been with the company a year?
Well here's something I bet you don't know... HeadCount will be giving away one of those bikes at High Sierra Music Festival this year. Someone will win a limited-edition New Belgium custom cruiser. They can even ride it home (be careful on the hills).
All you have to do is stop by the HeadCount booth or the New Belgium display and fill out a Pledge to Vote. Then you have the option of making a donation or writing a letter to Congress. Then cross your fingers and hope to be the lucky winner.
The BP oil spill in the gulf is now the biggest environmental disaster in our nation's history. While stopping it and cleaning up its mess is the biggest topic of discussion, we want to gauge what the music community thinks is the best way to prevent another one.
Last month, HeadCount's Community Question asked "what personal liberty issues are most important to you?" Those who participated in the poll overwhelmingly chose marijuana legalization among the 4 choices. So it's pretty certain that this video of a marijuana raid that took place at a family home in Columbia, Missouri in February will stir some emotions among HeadCount Blog readers and any dog lovers that might be reading.
While the raid took place months ago, it's this shocking video that is bringing criticism to the Columbia Police Department for the raid's execution which involved kicking in the door of Jonathan Witworth's home late at night followed by the shooting of 2 family dogs, one of which was killed and the other injured. The raid turned up a "small amount of marijuana." So small that the suspect is not even facing marijuana possession charges and was able to plead down to paraphernalia charge for the bong and weed grinder they found. It's certainly worth noting (and pretty ironic) that as the father of the 7 year old boy (who witnessed the whole violent ordeal) the man was also charged with child endangerment.
Surprisingly, these raids are quite common with upwards of 150 occurring every day throughout the U.S. Most go unnoticed unless, like this one, they're caught on camera or involve a public official like the Mayor of Berwyn Heights, Maryland who watched his two brown labs get shot to death in a botched marijuana bust 2 years ago. If you're poor and black you can probably forget about getting any sympathy from the media.
A video like this really has the potential to shift public opinion about marijuana legalization. Read other activists' takes on this viral video like Jane Hamsher at Firedoglake and Scott Morgan from StoptheDrugWar.org who eloquently sums up how watching it will make you feel:
“You have to see it with you own eyes to fully absorb the brutal callousness of the people who carry out these violent attacks on peaceful families. Even knowing as I do how often events like this take place, I still shuddered while witnessing the suspect’s grief at discovering his dogs had been shot.”
HeadCount polls the live music community on a regular basis to find out how you feel about some important issues. This month, our Community Question focuses on "Personal Liberty."
Last fall, we had a poll measuring how many of you had health insurance and where you got it. About 35% of you said you were without insurance, and it kicked off a great stream of comments posted online. We're now going to start asking a new question every few weeks. We invite you to participate in the poll and, if so-inclined, expound a bit on why you answered the way you did.
This month's community question deals with sustainability and climate change. Here goes:
You know the bicycle on each label of New Belgium's "Fat Tire Ale"? Did you know that every employee-owner at New Belgium gets his or her own custom bike when they've been with the company a year?
