Steve Earle for... Chevrolet??

[RGMike]

Did I really see a Chevy commercial during the All-Star Game that used Steve Earle's "The Revolution Starts Now"?  Please tell me I imagined it.

And speaking of the game: Kenny Rogers? what a dick.

[ggould]

Did I really see a Chevy commercial during the All-Star Game that used Steve Earle's "The Revolution Starts Now"?  Please tell me I imagined it.

And speaking of the game: Kenny Rogers? what a dick.

You did indeed see that!  I was wondering if it was cool or stupid.  On one hand, it's kind of subversive, introducing people to a very political artist.  One the other hand, it's your run-of-the-mill sellout.

[Gazoo]

Did I really see a Chevy commercial during the All-Star Game that used Steve Earle's "The Revolution Starts Now"?  Please tell me I imagined it.

And speaking of the game: Kenny Rogers? what a dick.

You did indeed see that!  I was wondering if it was cool or stupid.  On one hand, it's kind of subversive, introducing people to a very political artist.  One the other hand, it's your run-of-the-mill sellout.

Political subversive guitarists gotta eat too.

Seriously -- one thing recent years have taught me is to not pass judgment on the finances of artists who probably are making no better than a middle-class living.  If Chevy co-opting his message for a moment allows him the resources he needs to make another album, hell, I'm all for it.  As long as the company isn't actively negating his message, it's just another compromise in the name of fiscal reality.

P.S.  I saw that Rogers was interviewed after his inning, but I don't know what he said.

[RGMike]

Did I really see a Chevy commercial during the All-Star Game that used Steve Earle's "The Revolution Starts Now"?  Please tell me I imagined it.

And speaking of the game: Kenny Rogers? what a dick.

You did indeed see that!  I was wondering if it was cool or stupid.  On one hand, it's kind of subversive, introducing people to a very political artist.  One the other hand, it's your run-of-the-mill sellout.

Political subversive guitarists gotta eat too.

Seriously -- one thing recent years have taught me is to not pass judgment on the finances of artists who probably are making no better than a middle-class living.  If Chevy co-opting his message for a moment allows him the resources he needs to make another album, hell, I'm all for it.  As long as the company isn't actively negating his message, it's just another compromise in the name of fiscal reality.

P.S.  I saw that Rogers was interviewed after his inning, but I don't know what he said.

I love Mr Earle and don't begrudge him the extra bucks. But I was surprised, based on the fact that he is SO political... he didn't seem like someone who'd sell a song to Chevy -- unless maybe they made a cbig contribution to one of his fave left-wing organizations!

Re: Rogers, Kevin Kennedy ended the interview by lobbing this obvious, softball, here's-your-opportunity-to-look-like-a-nice-guy question, "your All-Star teammates have been very supportive of you, saying 'we voted for him, he should get the chance to play'... how did that make you feel?" Which was Rogers' cue to say "I'm touched, I'm honored, that meant a lot to me..." and instead it turned it right around to say "I deserve to be here becuuse I've pitched so well this season." It's all about you, Kenny! Jerk.

[Lightnin' Rod]

And speaking of the game: Kenny Rogers? what a dick.

Sure.  But still, the story is bigger than I think is warranted.  Why?  Because he pushed a media clown.  The media rallys around their own (which is understandable).  But then they pretend the story is big news all on it's own when really they are beefing it up in self-interest.  

I saw one of those ESPN talking heads (Kornheiser?) claiming KR shouldn't attend the game because the story would be bigger than the game.  What a crock of sh*t.  The only reason it became bigger than the game was because the media made it bigger than the game.  They wanted punishment, and if they didn't get it, they were going to hand it out themselves.

As far as Kenny saying the right thing when handed the "softball" question Mike mentions, I'm glad he spoke his mind.  He's a friggin' baseball player, not a politician.

He's a jerk too, but an honest one.