Freedom Sings, a program of the First Amendment Center, includes an annual concert at the historic Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, touring companies that since 2001 have performed concerts nationally in more than 100 venues, special awards programs and concerts at the Newseum in downtown D.C., and three CDs — all focused on music that has been banned or censored or has served as social anthems.
The critically acclaimed multimedia experiences feature an all-star cast of musicians and an “only-in-America” storyline, and invites audiences and listeners to take a fresh look at the First Amendment.
These entertaining, irreverent and inspiring programs and CDs are packed with live music and video imagery, and feature hit songwriters and Grammy Award winners devoted to sharing the power, passion and poetry of music.
Most recently, the Freedom Sings concert series has grown to include a new live presentation, “Fight the Power;” and concerts at the Newseum that have featured artists including Grammy Award-winners Mary Chapin Carpenter, Judy Collins, Rodney Crowell and Ashley Cleveland.
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| The Freedom Sings band in concert. |
This entertaining, irreverent and inspiring program is packed with live music and video imagery, and features hit songwriters and Grammy Award winners devoted to sharing the power, passion and poetry of music.
The 2010 schedule appears toward the bottom of this page.
Freedom Sings recognizes the full spectrum of political views, an approach praised by journalists including nationally syndicated columnist Cal Thomas, who wrote in his column that the program is “fun … scrupulously well-balanced” and appealing to “all political perspectives.”
"Without question, 'Freedom Sings' was the most meaningful, memorable and educational keynote event I've ever seen," said Chris Carroll of College Media Advisers.
Part of the Freedom Sings concert series is called “Fight The Power: The Music That Changed America.” It's an entertaining, thought-provoking show that celebrates free expression and music through a multimedia presentation featuring Grammy Award-winning and hit-making musicians, with a soundtrack of classic rock, country, folk, soul and hip-hop songs.
"'Fight the Power' offers an engaging look at some of the most controversial songs in American history,” said Ken Paulson, president and chief operating officer of the Freedom Forum, Newseum and First Amendment Center. “It’s part concert and part conversation. The First Amendment has never been so entertaining.”
The First Amendment Center works to preserve and protect First Amendment freedoms through information and education, and does not lobby or litigate.
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| Audience members applaud Freedom Sings performance. |
Freedom Sings band members vary from show to show, but frequent performers include:
Craig Krampf, Grammy Award-winning songwriter and legendary rock drummer behind songs such as “Eye of the Tiger” and “Bette Davis Eyes.”
Jonell Mosser, soulful singer whose work can be heard in such films as “Hope Floats” and “Boys on the Side,” and who has performed with such talents as Ringo Starr and B.B. King.
Don Henry, Grammy Award-winning songwriter whose work has been recorded by Ray Charles, Kathy Mattea and many others.
Bill Lloyd, former member of the top country duo Foster and Lloyd, whose work has been recorded by Hootie and the Blowfish and other top acts.
Ashley Cleveland, a gritty, powerful singer and the only woman to win three Grammy Awards for best rock gospel album.
Joseph Wooten, a singer and songwriter, and keyboard player for the Steve Miller Band.
Jason White
Jackie Patterson
Dave Coleman
The Wrights
Freedom Sings was written by Ken Paulson, president of the Freedom Forum.
Freedom Sings production:
Narrators: Gene Policinski, vice president/executive director, First Amendment Center
Ken Paulson
Producer: Chris Amacher, First Amendment Center
Assistant producer: Denise Philp, First Amendment Center
2010 schedule
Jan. 22
Chips Quinn Scholars (Free Speech in Music), Nashville, Tenn.
March 16
Free Spirit Conference, Washington, D.C. (Fight the Power)
April 27
Americana Free Speech and Music Award to Mary Chapin Carpenter, Washington, D.C.
May 15
Leadership Music, Nashville (Fight the Power)
Sept. 24
Louisville Bar Association, Louisville, Ky. (Freedom Sings)
Oct. 26
Martin Methodist College, Pulaski, Tenn. (Freedom Sings)
2009 schedule
March 10
University of Illinois, Champaign
April 29
Berry College, Rome, Ga.
May 16
Leadership Music at First Amendment Center, Nashville
May 18
Community performance at First Amendment Center, Nashville
Sept. 15
Tennessee Tech, Cookeville
Sept. 16
Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro
Sept. 17
University of Kentucky, Lexington
Oct. 19
Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa.
Oct. 21
Bluebird Café, Nashville
Oct. 21
Tennessee History Conference
2008 schedule
Jan. 10
The Tennessean at First Amendment Center, Nashville
March 19
At the Newseum, Washington, D.C.
May 10
Leadership Music at First Amendment Center
May 17
Chips Quinn Scholars program at USA Today, McLean, Va.
Sept. 10
University of Missouri, Columbia
Sept. 13
Belmont University, Nashville
Sept. 15
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Sept. 18
Americana Music Conference, Nashville
Oct. 9
Al Neuharth Media Center/University of South Dakota, Vermillion
2007 schedule
March 17
Southeastern Commission for the Study of Religion
First Amendment Center, Nashville
March 20
Free Spirit Scholars
Arlington, Va.
March 27
Monroe Community College
Monroe, Mich.
March 29
Center for Innovating College Media
First Amendment Center, Nashville
March 31
Fisk University
Nashville
April 12
University of Nebraska
Lincoln
May 12
Leadership Music
First Amendment Center, Nashville
May 19
Chips Quinn Scholars
First Amendment Center, Nashville
Sept. 17
LaSalle University
Philadelphia
Sept. 19
Bellarmine University
Louisville, Ky.
Sept. 21
First Amendment Center, Nashville
Oct. 11
Al Neuharth Center
Vermillion, S.D.
Oct. 24
First Amendment Summit
Washington, D.C.
Nov. 7
University of Wyoming
Laramie
Nov. 8
Laramie County Community College
Cheyenne, Wyo.
Nov. 14
Syracuse University
Syracuse, N.Y.