It’s About U.S.
The 2016 election made me (and many others) increasingly aware of how many Americans feel like strangers—even enemies—with those who express different political ideas. But I don’t believe we’re as far apart as we seem. Moreover, I believe that if we better understood our differences, they might not so easily fuel hatred and contempt.
Therefore, for the rest of this year, I’ll be doing a project I’m calling “It’s About U.S.” I’ll periodically post articles, ideas, videos, songs, and more (of my own and others) on improving how we talk to each other. I’ll end in December by performing a brief fundraising tour along the East coast with my fiddles, tap shoes, and looper.
Please click on a post below to follow along, and if you feel inspired, make a donation to Better Angels here.
The Show
The Full and Final Better Angels Benefit Tour Show
Week #1: The Dream Begins
The song that inspired this project
Week #2: Sneak Preview
Meet Andy and me before the show!
Week #3: Why a Music Tour?
To bring out the “Better Angels” of my music and fellow citizens
Week #4: Better Together
How this tour grew, in quantity and quality!
Week #5: Don’t Label Me. Talk To Me
We need to talk, even if we disagree.
Halloween Canvassing
Going door to door, for candy and country
Week #6: Courage to Be Kind
How do you respond to hate? Should we give in to fear?
Week #7: My Fairytale
Because the search for love and democracy might not be so far apart
Week #8: We Are Not Enemies
Challenge labels with Better Angels bumper stickers
Week #9: For My Teacher
A song dedicated to my late fiddle teacher, Stacy Phillips
Week #10: The Countdown Begins
Where we’re going and how to get tickets!
Civility Tennessee
Support for The Tennessean’s “On Civility” series by David Plazas
Day #7: I’m Going Somewhere
How to support my December tour and Better Angels
Day #6: Role Models
Inspirational artists who build bridges
Day #5: Music to Fix Politics
Bridging divides with bluegrass music.
Day #4: Social Media Pledge
Learning to talk on the internet
Day #3 Community Building
Learning to talk with my neighbors
Day #2: Media Consumption
How I’ve tried to hear “AllSides” when I get my news.
Day #1: Introduction
My mission statement in song and how you can get involved!