Play For The Vote is a musician run initiative mobilizing musicians across the United States to perform on Election Day, with the goal of increasing voter turnout by providing a more positive voter experience. Launched just this month, the organization has already signed up hundreds of musicians in over 40 states, plus the District of Columbia, and last week, announced a production partnership with the famed Silkroad organization to assist in the recruitment.
Confirmed Play For The Vote performers, include artists who have regularly performed and collaborated with artists such as Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Kanye West, Frank Ocean, Adele, Paul McCartney, The Chicks, Béla Fleck, Steep Canyon Rangers, Stevie Wonder, Yo-Yo Ma, Katy Perry, Roger Waters, Sufjan Stevens, Sting, Brian Wilson, Dionne Warwick, Norah Jones, Mumford & Sons, Michael Bublé, E Street Band, Jon Batiste, Miley Cyrus, Chris Thile, Bon Iver, James Taylor, Aretha Franklin, Philip Glass, Alison Krauss, Chaka Khan, Deep Purple, Itzhak Perlman, Bobby McFerrin, Allison Krauss, Rhiannon Giddens,The New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Cleveland Orchestra, Houston Symphony, Oregon Symphony, Silkroad Ensemble, amongst others.
This past Saturday, on National Early Voting Day, select artists performed at early voting polling locations, including the Founder & Director of Play For The Vote, Mike Block, in Boston, as well as acclaimed violinist Sam Weiser in San Francisco, harpist for the Houston Symphony, Megan Conley, and Paula Johannesen in Chicago. Block and Johannesen spoke about the experience with WGN News in Chicago on Monday – watch the segment here – and Block spoke to the Associated Press from Boston – watch via YouTube.