In a recent Billboard magazine interview, country singer Miranda Lambert was given the opportunity to explain why she doesn’t use her music or the stage as a political platform.
Billboard’s Max Hendrickson reported “When I ask Lambert if she thinks that at this moment in history — with, among other things, this particular president in office — there is an opening for her to make the kind of issue-oriented songs [Loretta] Lynn became known for, Lambert is quick to dismiss the idea.”
Lambert responded:
“I am a 100 percent believer in not ever using the platform that I’ve built for anything other than music, because music to me is an escape from your own reality. I don’t want to go to a show and hear somebody preach about their opinions...
I just want to believe what I believe and be happy, and people can believe what they believe…I don’t ever want to push my opinion on someone because I don’t want them pushing their opinion on me.”
Lambert tries not to push her ideas or views on others, just as she wouldn’t want someone to push their ideas and views on her:
“It’s so divided [in politics], you can’t win anyway. And what are you winning…“For someone to agree with you, and now you’ve spoken your piece and pissed off many other people, just for one person to go, ‘She’s right’? It doesn’t do any good…I’m a country singer. We talk about tears in our beers.”
Lambert isn’t the only country superstar that takes this stance. Earlier this year on The View, Reba McEntire was asked about using the stage for a political rant. McEntire replied:
“I take it this way: They have paid their hard-earned money to come in there and fill a seat — parking, getting something at the concession stand, go and eat before the concert — I am there to entertain them, to take their worries away from them, so when they walk out, they can kind of have a little lift in their step and [go], ‘Aw, that was such a great break from all the problems I have to deal with during daily life.’ So I’m not going to give them my political views.”
It's so refreshing to hear celebrities refusing to take part in the political bashing that has become a common everyday occurrence thanks to social media. With the exception of The Dixie Chicks, country music stars are some of the most well-mannered and genuine celebrities that know there’s a certain time and place for everything – their stage doesn’t happen to be one of those places. If only other celebrities took notice and followed their lead.
