Keep on rockin' in the swing states As a resident and native son of one of the most evenly split swing states in this year's presidential election, I've seen enough of both party's candidates on local and regional newscasts and in the major metro papers to slake my thirst for political pageantry from now until November. But now, the swing states are finally going to get some musical benefit from their political divisiveness. Kerry-loving rockers from Bruce Springsteen to Bonnie Raitt will be touring the swing states as part of the Vote for Change Tour, an attempt to rock the vote for the Democrats.
Here's what we have to look forward to in Missouri:
Pearl Jam with Death Cab for Cutie -- Oct. 5 in St. Louis
Jackson Browne/Bonnie Raitt/Keb' Mo' -- Oct. 5 in Kansas City
Dixie Chicks/James Taylor -- Oct. 6 in St. Louis
That sucks. I wanted to see Springsteen. But no. He and the E Street Band are swinging through the states with more electoral votes -- Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Minnesota -- leaving us here in the hinterlands with the has-beens. (Well, except for Death Cab, which I wouldn't mind seeing, but probably won't, because I don't particularly like Pearl Jam. Give me Adam Sandler's Opera Man impersonation of Eddie Vedder over the real thing any day.)
Seriously, folks. James Taylor? The Dixie Chicks? Makes you wonder what sops the Dems throw at the states that are a lock.