CLINT BLACK explains new song, "I Raq And Roll"

Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2003 21:40:43 -0800
Newsgroups: rec.music.country.western
Size: 2,167 bytes

Updated 3-26-03
Greetings All!
It's with a heavy heart that I type this to you. I'm working every day
to keep the depression from overtaking me. War is one of the most
horrible things this life has to offer.
As you may know, Hayden Nicholas and I have written a song I recorded
called, "I Raq and Roll." You can download it here for free, along
with the lyrics.
There is also an "I Raq and Roll" t-shirt you can buy and rest
assured, every single penny made from the sale of this shirt will go
to a charity benefiting families of the soldiers killed in this war. I
haven't worked out the when and how, but I'm personally picking up the
administration costs so that 100% of the profits will go to the
charity.
The song is meant to cheer on the troops as they go into battle. It
wasn't meant take sides but rather to say that the troops are the
greatest heroes we have and we are grateful for their service.
I have received very positive feedback, on the whole, about the
message in the song, including all of the service men and women and
their families who have written in.
But there have been some negative messages, too.
Some of the criticism is done with civility, and some is not.
Some are a result, I feel, of a misinterpretation of the lyrics. One
example is the lyric "...and if you stand with the likes of Saddam,
one [smart bomb] just might find you." I was accused of lumping
protesters of the war in with Saddam with this line, as if I think
protesters of the war are behind what Saddam does. I can't even
imagine that would be the case.
I have said publicly that once the decision was made to go to war, the
debate was over. The point is moot. The course of this war will not
change from protest or debate. I believe that and stand behind that
analysis.
One other thing I believe is that unlawful protests distract the
police from the important job of protection America from terrorists
threats.
This is my humble opinion. If you disagree, you disagree. That should
not be a call to hatred. Intolerance is not American. I think we can
all agree on that.
God bless America and her sons and daughters in arms.
Dutifully,
Clint Black