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‘This American life’: country artist Dan Rivers gets political

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By By Don Thrasher, Contributing Writer 7:50 PM Thursday, July 23, 2009

Local country artist Dan Rivers is known for tackling topical issues. He’s still riding on the popularity of his patriotic anthem from 2007, “One Flag, One Heart, One Nation,” but this conservative songwriter recently has been motivated creatively and politically.

“I somehow got really involved with the grassroots movement growing across the country known as the Tea Party movement,” Rivers said. “Yes, I am an official Tea Bagger, but really am just a frustrated American that doesn’t like the direction any of our elected officials are taking our country right now.”

“America, where do we go from here? / We can’t stand by and watch her disappear.”

The Tea Party movement was inspired by Libertarian presidential candidate Ron Paul’s 2008 campaign and has grown since the $787 billion stimulus package was passed in February.

“There are just as many Democrats in the groups I’ve been exposed to, as there are Republicans, so the Tea Party movement is truly bipartisan,” Rivers said. “The media doesn’t want to report it this way, but it really is true.”

Rivers somewhat sums up the Tea Party’s anti-tax philosophy in his latest song, “This American Life,” which was released this month as a CD single backed with “One Flag, One Heart, One Nation.”

“The new song has become the movement’s theme or rally song,” Rivers said. “I was at the Tea Party rally in downtown Dayton on April 15 and sang this song to the 8,000 Americans that were in attendance and the song instantly became a hit. Since that April 15 event I’ve been performing the song, and “One Flag, One Heart, One Nation,” at numerous events around the state.”

“We’ve got to keep on  doing what’s right / if we’re going to live this American life.”

The singer-songwriter performs next at nonpolitical events at the Ohio State Fair on Wednesday, July 29, and Bargo’s Grill & Tap in Centerville on Thursday, July 30.

Rivers said he hopes to perform at future Tea Party rallies such as the event he headlined in Brookville on July 3.

“We had a lot going on that that day. It showed we’re a bunch of Americans concerned about what’s happening to their beloved country, determined to do something about it!”

how to go

WHO: Dan Rivers

WHERE: Bargo’s Grill & Tap, 588 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, Centerville

WHEN: 6 p.m. Thursday, July 30

COST: Free

MORE INFO: (937) 433-2500 or www.myspace.com/bargos1

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