Well, it’s official. The NRAAM 2018 entertainment line-up has been announced, and once again there will be not one but TWO live music extravaganzas. Woo hoo! Jungle boogie! Soul Train line! That means there might be a slightly more varied assortment of musical styles, right? Surely, they wouldn’t duplicate the same sound for both events – not with 80,000 diverse, freedom-loving independent thinkers from all walks of life eager to be musically exhilarated. Right?
First, there’s the NRA Country Jam on Friday night. Okay, cool. Fine, good, nice. Y’all go ahead and enjoy that. Have fun. For those who don’t really dig country music, the other entertainment option is the Saturday Night Celebration, where we can all “enjoy an amazing night of” … wait for it … wait for it … yep, you guessed it … “traditional country music…”
Given that the NRA has its own branded country music multiverse to “celebrate the lifestyle,” I guess I should expect the Country Music Jam to be a recurring deal. But the second night of entertainment? Let’s see. I believe 2016 was Toby Keith. Last year was Hank Williams, Jr. This year, we get a double dose with Charlie Daniels and Travis Tritt. It just makes me feel all patriotic inside. I am inspired to break out in song. Eh hem…
My country, ‘tis from thee,
Sweet band of predictability,
From thee, I cringe.
Band where strict codes reside,
Band of bucolic pride,
Your right to set all else aside
No one shall infringe!
Country, country, and still more damn near jingoistic consecration of country music. Oh, and a dash of Christian rock for the prayer breakfast. But basically, country. I’ve got nothing against Charlie Daniels (not my thing, but hey, rock on, dude). My only question is this: Who crowned country music the undisputed artistic embodiment of all Second Amendment ideals?
I’m new to NRAAM, so maybe I missed the rotation of other musical genres, all proudly showcased to honor the universality of Second Amendment rights. Is next year the big jazz roll-out? Motown? Or maybe some blues? If R&B is too much to ask, how about just the “B” part? I mean, can a sista get some variety? Can we get a bassline or two in there somewhere? I’m not asking for gangsta rap. Just a cameo from someone not wearing a cowboy hat. A modest peep or two from an artist whose belt buckle doesn’t look like a dinner plate. No?
Sooo, the National Christian Rifle and Country Music Association? And the NCRCMA wants my membership money? That’s rich. Maybe they should stick to one lane.
I agree 100% with the sentiment of your post Tiffany. But it occurred to me that while there are obviously Country acts who support the NRA, how many artists from other genres do? I’m more into blues and some rock, and other than Nugent I don’t know of many (any?) artists in other genres who would sign up to play at such an event. In fact, even if they are 2nd Amendment supporters they would probably balk at being associated with the NRA outright. Which is the very thing that needs to change.
I mean, they could pipe in music from other genres at the event but they probably want live music instead.
It’s a great point, Robinson. I can probably think of a few groups that might be open to it, but who knows. I would love to know if the NRA has even reached out to artists in other genres. My guess is that the answer is no, but that’s just my gut feeling. I would love to be pleasantly surprised to find out that I am wrong. But even if the NRA reached out to other artists and was repeatedly turned down, I think it would still be progress in the right direction. If the NRA has made those efforts end been rejected, I wonder if it’s been published anywhere. I’ll have to check around and see. Thanks for chiming in!
But they are offering both kinds of music… country AND western! 😉
I think you should start a petition and invite .38 Special, Guns N Roses, The Silver Bullet Band… maybe all this exposure to country music will rub off on you. Just think how much more gear you could carry if you wore cowboy boots! Teasing grin.
It was great seeing you at Rangemaster again this year Tiffany, and I appreciate your insight into why more women aren’t shooting IPSC or IDPA. Hopefully we will see you at Mini-palooza this August or a future Tac Con.
Thanks, Erik! Great to see you too! Not sure if I’ll make it to PEP, because it always falls during my very first week of classes. But definitely Tac-Con!
Another vote for you, Tiffany.
Anything but country.
Electronic dance music
Classical
Arena rock, Pink Floyd, Yes, Rolling Stone
George Clinton
Heck, Gregorian monks chanting
The NRA leadership is tone deaf, and this liberal atheist gun owner has let his long membership expired.
Ooooo… George Clinton at NRAAM. Now there’s a mental picture I won’t easily forget! ?
I actually ran into George Clinton at the NRAAM annual meeting in Indy. Oh, wait, I saw him getting out of his car and going into the back door of a local club. My “OMG I just saw George Clinton” moment! Chalk me up to another Life Member that they don’t speak to, not even close, they even had country music playing in the hallways last year. That and all they prayer stuff turns me off but I still go.
Three votes! We’re getting there, slowly but surely! ?
Christian prayer breakfast? How about those of us that observe other religions but are lifetime members?
Oh, but didn’t you know? ALL gun people are Christians. Every single one of them. ?
Kidding, of course. ? But honestly, I’m not sure it has ever occurred to the NRA that some of its members (let alone life members) might not be Christians. Blasphemy! ?
I’ve never been to an NRAAM (although I am a life member), so I can’t comment on how the prayer breakfast is run, but it looks like this year’s event is listed as “2018 National Prayer Breakfast”, so not explicitly Christian. It shouldn’t be that hard to find a Rabi (maybe check with JPFO) and an Imam to speak and make it a non-denominational/inter-faith prayer breakfast (at least it would cover the main Abrahamic religions). Maybe they already do?
Hey there! While I’ve been to NRAAM, I never went to the prayer breakfast. I’m just going by the music selection and second hand accounts I’ve gotten from others who attended the breakfast. None mentioned any interfaith component, sadly. But I’ll try and find out in Dallas!
Most regrettably, I don’t think you’re going to get much else from the music department of the NRAAM, but you can get a heartfelt “Amen!” from me.
Well, at least that’s two votes. ?
One more. I am not against a little country, I wear cowboy boots most days, but country is far from the only thing I want to hear.