Rebecca Ferguson asked to perform at inauguration, will do so ONLY if she can sing "Strange Fruit"

[highplainsdem]

From the BBC:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/38491238/rebecca-ferguson-asked-to-perform-at-donald-trumps-inauguration-ceremony

Rebecca Ferguson says she's been asked to perform at Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony.

The singer tweeted she would "graciously accept" the invitation from the American president-elect if she can perform Strange Fruit.

-snip-

The words of Strange Fruit describe the lynching of African Americans in the early 20th century: "Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze".

It's been described as one of the first great protest songs.

-snip-

Her tweet about this:

https://twitter.com/RebeccaFMusic/status/815947524385177601

http://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1spgc5t

I've been asked and this is my answer. If you allow me to sing "strange fruit" a song that has huge historical importance, a song that was blacklisted in the United States for being too controversial. A song that speaks to all the disregarded and down trodden black people in the United States. A song that is a reminder of how love is the only thing that will conquer all the hatred in this world, then I will graciously accept your invitation and see you in Washington. Best Rebecca X

[Hoyt]

1. I like that response a lot!!!!!

[DURHAM D]

2. I think it is interesting that they keep

trying to get foreign nationals to perform.

[Fla Dem]

7. Bully for her, great response, but my 1st thought as well....they're reduced to going outside the

country for talent. What a cluster f*uk.

[MADem]

12. He imports his hotel workers, why not import his "talent?" nt

[Marthe48]

17. No one wants to legitimize the coup

I wouldn't cross the street to spit on him. If I were a performer, I'd be proud of my choice to shun the request. This inauguration is not an honor to anyone.

[awoke_in_2003]

25. A buddy has a saying that fits

"I wouldn't piss in his mouth of his guts were on fire"

[Marthe48]

27. Exactly

I feel like I'm watching a car go over a cliff. I wonder if anyone is watching it who has any interest in hitting the brakes.

[awoke_in_2003]

29. The brake lines

ruptured a while ago.

[Marthe48]

30. yes, they did

ideology over country

[MADem]

31. OWCH--damn, that's some serious disdain!!

[LiberalLovinLug]

8. Does anyone have an answer to the lack of country artists?

I suppose that Trump just doesn't like country music. Or that other music is generally more popular. But you'd think he'd be at least smart enough to understand why he'd want to represent the favorite genre of his most supportive States.

I'm sure he'd have a slew of top Republican leaning country stars who also are aware of their audience of deplorables who would snap up albums of whoever helped to glorify their dear leader.

[forgotmylogin]

10. I think modern country artists are a new breed.

Even if they are Republican, I think they are smart enough to stay out of this and avoid alienating any potential fans.

That, or our Prezlect hates country music and specifically instructed hiring minions to avoid them.

[DinahMoeHum]

15. Yeah, even they know Trump is TOXIC for their brand.

n/t

[LiberalLovinLug]

19. I think that there are some country stars he could get that would do it

Here's some from this article

http://rocknycliveandrecorded.com/which-country-music-stars-endorse-trump.html


Brad Paisley
Justin Moore
John Rich
Larry Wayne Gatlin

I doubt they would lose any fans. Or they would probably gain as many new fans as they lost, because the majority of those where country music is on all the stations, voted for Trump.

I just think that even if he doesn't personally like that brand of music, I don't understand why he or his staff would not know the importance of having that demographic represented when it is filled with his most supported segment.

[Beartracks]

23. Trump probably is going for "hip."

That's my guess.

================

[Lochloosa]

24. The Dixie Chicks taught them a valuable lesson. Most of them don't have the guts of Natalie.

[LiberalLovinLug]

26. Love that song! Especially in the context at the time.

But that was a country artist(s) that stuck it TO the right wing leadership, (and by interpretation of Red State country fans, stuck it to them too).

That only proves that there would be an appetite for country artists that are sticking WITH the new right wing leadership. Giving them solace that they did the right thing in voting to 'make America great again'. Their audience is, I would venture to say, mostly Republican by a big number.

[ismnotwasm]

3. Awesome response.

&feature=share

[Stellar]

6. I was just about to Post that video!

[classof56]

9. Painful to watch. more painful to listen to.

I've long been a Billie Holliday fan. Have a few of her albums/CDs. I'd love to see this song performed at tRump's inauguration, but pretty sure it won't happen. His KKK cohorts wouldn't like it at all. Sigh...

Thanks for posting.

[malaise]

14. Indeed

Dad introduced us to Nina

[TexasBushwhacker]

20. That taping was in 1959, not long before she died

She was only 44.

[hatrack]

4. Could be the best single response I've seen yet

Outstanding!

[Sunlei]

5. Will some brave American accept? & sing like Billie Holiday was Brave to sing decades ago?

Billie Holiday - Strange Fruit

[MADem]

11. The Klan attendees would think that the song was a cheerleading opus, not an admonition.

We're dealing with a PEOTUS who speaks at a 4th grade level, and supporters who are largely categorized as "mouth breathers consumed by hatred."

The point would fly right over their heads.

Good for Rebecca, though, for attempting to stick it to him and shame him.

[chopper050]

18. Mouth breathers/ 4th grade level..

I concur. It would fly right over their heads.

[Initech]

13. The alt reich's heads will probably explode at this idea.

[red dog 1]

16. The Orange Anti-Christ will never allow it..

[Chipper Chat]

21. Of course.

He will say "I don't know Fruit."
Or maybe "I'm a workaoholic. I've never taken a billie holiday."

[Warren DeMontague]

22. Republicans are constitutionally incapable of understanding song lyrics and their meanings.

So they probably won't fucking care. They'll just hum the tune and ignore the words.

Witness how Reagan thought "Born in the USA" was a great flag-waving woot-woot anthem, in reality it's a lament about the Vietnam war and economic collapse.

[Meldread]

28. Here is a link to the song and the story behind the song.

For those who have never heard Strange Fruit, it was originally popularized by Billie Holiday. Here is her version of the song:

For another version, I encourage looking at Nina Simone's version. Here is her version, with some commentary:

The song was actually written by a white Jewish man by the name Abel Meeropol. Here is a link to his (very interesting) story at NPR.