Vote November Third (30 second PSA)
Features the Virtual Choir of Resistance: Vivian Nesbitt, Dan Navarro, Tret Fure, Joe Jencks, Cathy Fink, Daniel Boling, Jono Manson, Steve Gillette, Cindy Mangsen, Don Richmond, Jon Gold, Tom Naunas, Jackson Dillon, Jessica Dillon, Sidney Dillon-King, Tony Glaser, Katie Anne Mitchell, Catherine Reid, Annie & Rod Capps.
Special thanks to Tim O’Brien (Fire Devil), Dave Mulryan (Vote or Die) and all the artists, photographers and musicians who made this video possible.
free digital ep – Download now!
Save Our Democracy! – songs for voter turnout
Feeling depressed and overwhelmed? John Dillon’s EP, SAVE OUR DEMOCRACY! is essential listening in these troubled times. The collection of 5 timely songs offers clarity, support and above all, a vital call to action.
Art of the Song co-host and co-producer, John Dillon is proud to announce the release of SAVE OUR DEMOCRACY! The Digital EP of 5 songs is offered FREE to political organizations, radio stations and individuals who what to help inspire a blue wave in November.
“If you’re looking for hope in these hard times, you need look no further than John Dillon’s stunning EP SAVE OUR DEMOCRACY. From the bitter irony of ‘The F Word’ to to the inspirational uplift of ‘Rise Again,’ John rises to this critical historical moment, redefining ‘patriotism’ in humane, caring terms. ‘A Perfect Storm,’ with its insistent chorus ‘Save Our Democracy/Vote November 3rd,’ is the perfect antidote to hopelessness and inertia. Listen with your heart and soul, then go to work alongside John to save our democracy––for now and for the future. We are called; we must do no less.”
– Si Kahn – Civil Rights, Union and Community Organizer; Singer, Songwriter; Vietnam Era U.S. Army Reservist – 1965-1971
Track 1 – A PERFECT STORM (3:49) Written after the George Floyd murder, the opening track highlights how the trifecta of the Covid-19 pandemic, systemic racism and government corruption has motivated people of all ages and races to take to the streets and make their voices heard. Features the Virtual Choir of Resistance: Vivian Nesbitt, Dan Navarro, Tret Fure, Joe Jencks, Cathy Fink, Daniel Boling, Jono Manson, Steve Gillette, Cindy Mangsen, Don Richmond, Jon Gold, Tom Naunas, Jackson Dillon, Jessica Dillon, Sidney Dillon-King, Tony Glaser, Katie Anne Mitchell, Catherine Reid, Annie & Rod Capps.
Track 2 – THE F WORD (3:31) is a dire warning of how far we’ve come and what we must do to save our democracy. The song was inspired in part by Madeleine Albright’s bestselling book, Fascism: A Warning.
Track 3 – SOUL OF OUR NATION (2:32) Is a song of hope. The song concludes with actual words from Joe Biden’s acceptance speech at the DNC. (Not officially endorsed by the Biden-Harris campaign… yet!)
Track 4 – RISE AGAIN (3:04) is a lament for unity and human connection… a prayer for healing and an affirmation of the resiliency of our country.
Track 5 – SAVE OUR DEMOCRACY (0:24) is a short PSA length piece featuring the Virtual Choir of Resistance, a chorus of folk music luminaries assembled digitally from across the country. “Vote with our feet. Vote with our words. Save our democracy. Vote November Third.” RADIO FRIENDLY MUSICAL MESSAGE TO GET OUT THE VOTE
All instruments, vocals, recording & mixing by John Dillon (except: Organ – Tom Naunas; Drums – Patrick Turnmire; Backing Vocals – Vivian Nesbitt)
All songs by John Dillon ©2020 MotherDitch Music (BMI)
Brand new Biden-Harris Video
(60 Second Spot)
A Perfect Storm
Art of the Song hosts and producers, John Dillon & Viv Nesbitt are proud to announce an initiative to Get Out the Vote. John & Viv have mobilized their Art of the Song network to assemble a Virtual Choir of Resistance to back the duo in John’s new song, A PERFECT STORM.
A PERFECT STORM highlights how the trifecta of the Covid-19 Pandemic, systemic Racism and our country’s Corrupt Leader has motivated people of all ages and races to take to the streets and make their voices heard. Our aim is to harness this energy and inspire massive voter turnout in November.
Guitars,Bass, Harmonica & Vocals – John Dillon; Organ – Tom Naunas; Drums – Patrick Turnmire; Recording – John Dillon; Background Vocals – Virtual Choir of Resistance: Vivian Nesbitt, Dan Navarro, Tret Fure, Joe Jencks, Cathy Fink, Daniel Boling, Jono Manson, Steve Gillette, Cindy Mangsen, Don Richmond, Jon Gold, Tom Naunas, Jackson Dillon, Jessica Dillon, Sidney Dillon-King, Tony Glaser, Katie Anne Mitchell, Catherine Reid, Annie & Rod Capps. Special thanks to Tim O’Brien (Fire Devil), Dave Mulryan (Vote or Die), Evy Mages and all the artists, photographers and musicians who made this video possible.
Soul of our Nation
This is my effort as a US citizen to use my creative talents and abilities to inspire the change our country so desperately needs. (Not officially endorsed by the Biden-Harris campaign… yet!) PLEASE SHARE far, wide and often!
Words & Music – John Dillon ©2020
Guitars, Bass & Vocals – John Dillon
Drums – Patrick Turnmire
Recording & Mixing – John Dillon
Video – John Dillon
Special thanks to Tim O’Brien (Fire Devil), and all the artists and photographers who made this video possible.
The F-Word
PLEASE SHARE far, wide and often! The Trump campaign has been severely weakened by his mocking of military heroes and inability to comprehend the meaning of service. WE MUST KEEP UP THE PRESSURE!
Not in America, how absurd
We never thought we’d have to use the F-word
But rising from the ashes of political mayhem
It’s F – A – S – C – I – S – M
In Madeleine Albright’s book she wrote it
No longer can we laugh or sugar coat it
We’ve got to call it out before it’s too late
This is the American Fascist State
Lie by lie, norm by norm
Manipulating reality’s become an art form
Like the frog, we’ve been boiling so slow
We didn’t even notice we’d fallen so low
What were we thinking, a tv star?
Who bankrupted businesses, and paid off porn stars
We took the bait that sealed our fate
This is the American Fascist State
With Barr at his side they break the rules
Elected republicans say it’s all cool
Unconfirmed puppets, guardrails long gone
Imaginary enemy, battle lines drawn
He’s divided America, wants us to fight
In MAGA country, great means white
Where love and civility are trumped by hate
This is the American Fascist State
Have we passed the point of no return?
Can we not see it, will we not learn?
The American experiment’s gone horribly awry
It’s up to you and me, vote or die
Our democracy can’t take another four years
Of private police and profiteers
We already know they’re gonna cheat
But if we all show up we won’t be beat
Vote everyone, don’t hesitate
Don’t want this American Fascist State
Vote out this American Fascist State
Don’t want this American Fascist State
Words & Music by John Dillon ©2020
Guitars, Bass & Vocals – John Dillon
Background Vocals – Vivian Nesbitt
Organ – Tom Naunas
Drums – Patrick Turnmire
Recording & Mixing – John Dillon
Video – John Dillon
Special thanks to Tim O’Brien (Fire Devil), Dave Mulryan (Vote or Die), Evy Mages and all the artists, photographers who made this video possible.
The World Slowed Down
In spite of my intensely political posts and songs below (many of which are already outdated!), I am an eternal optimist. I look at the Covid-19 crisis as an opportunity to look within (both individually and as a society) and evaluate our situation. Could it be that this is our chance to make some big changes and envision a better world for all of us?
Dear Senator
This was written when the senate was about to vote on impeachment: We are at a serious crisis in our country. Are we a democracy or a dictatorship? Christianity Today says, “Trump should be removed from office.” The song uses actual quotes from the CT article to describe his behavior. Please listen, dear Senator…
Greenland, Greenland
Remember when he wanted to buy Greenland? A little humor never hurts!
Me Me Me
And then there’s this…
July, 2019
Greetings Fellow Resister,
For several months I have been asking myself how I could use my talents to make a difference in this crazy, f***ed up political situation we live in. The answer: Write a damn song, John!
I teamed up with my new writing partner, Stu Kuby, to write and record CONGRESS, DO YOUR JOB!
Vivian and I debuted the song at the Albany, NY Lights for Liberty event on July 12. The voices you hear in the background are those of the assembled crowd chanting the refrain with us as we played the song.
Now in 3 short months (after a 15 year songwriting hiatus), I’ve written 5 new songs. EP coming soon!
Use these songs as motivation in your resistance activities and as humor to keep you uplifted.
In solidarity,
John Dillon
Keep their feet to the fire!
We are grateful that the Judiciary Committee has begun an impeachment inquiry against the 45th President of the United States. Special Counsel, Robert Mueller was very clear that impeachable offenses may have been committed, and it is up to Congress to take appropriate action to hold the President accountable.
Congressional oath of office
I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.