***
Frustrated Americans Align With The Message Of The Independent Lion
When Voting, Influencing The Balance Of Power In Government
Once again the voices of the Independent voters made the loudest noise, swinging the balance of power in state legislatures, state capitols and in both houses of Congress.
Instrumental in the biggest upheaval of Congress in decades, Independents favored the Republicans by 55-40%, whereas in the 2006 House races they favored the Democrats 57-39% (Seib, Gerald F. November 3, 2010. “Unaligned Voters Tilt Rightward En Masse”. Wall Street Journal). According to a November 3, 2010, Pew Research Center Report, Independents make up 37% of the electorate, the largest amount in 70 years, making them as powerful a force as we’ve seen in the last three national elections.
Clearly in line with the message of John Chaffee’s Independent Lion, many Americans were venting their frustrations in voting and were “Not left. Not Right. Not Satisfied.” They feel disconnected and angered by the two parties working to only make things better for their own parties.
Hollywood Music In Media Awards (HMMA) winner for the biting and satirical “Play By The Rules”, John Chaffee - whose video, featuring Chaffee dressed as Uncle Sam, has been viewed close to 30,000 times on YouTube—recently launched www.independentlion.com to help disenchanted Americans express their feelings.
The Independent Lion website sells T-shirts featuring a trademarked red, white and blue lion (styled like the Democratic Donkey and Republican Elephant) underscored by a memorable catchphrase that sums up what millions are thinking: “Not Left. Not Right. Not Satisfied.”
The site’s home page includes the Independent Lion’s mission statement: “There’s a growing segment of the population dissatisfied with the way things are going in Washington, our state capitals, and our city governments. It appears that neither party, Republican or Democrat, has the wherewithal to solve our problems, let alone the nerve to even address the more important ones.
Emerging from the plains and towns across our country is a new symbol, the mighty King of the Beasts, to speak for those who have no voice. We encourage Independent Lions to roam through a land of no red states, no blue states, but a United States, where respect for the Constitution, and each other, rules. And where good old fashioned common sense, which would dictate limited government, living within our means, and playing by the rules, ROARS.”
Chaffee points out that the Tea Party is to get some credit for the change in power. He says, “The Tea Party in fact has an ‘independent soul’, which speaks to mainstream America, no matter the party. They want our founding principles honored, as well as individual rights. A stop to the spending rampage. A slimming down of the size of government.”
Whether Conservative, Moderate, Liberal or Tea Party, there’s no denying the Lion’s roar awakened the silent majority.
]]>
As the mid-term Election on Tuesday, November 2 inches closer by the day, Americans fed up with the U.S. government’s freewheeling spendthrift ways are finding ways even before casting their ballots to vent their frustrations.
Entrepreneurial singer/songwriter John Chaffee has been getting plenty of people talking with his rollicking country flavored satire tune “Easy Money,” whose biting, infectious chorus says it all: “Easy Money/We print it, we mint it, we give it all away/Easy Money/Easy come, easy go, we just have hell to pay/…We grow our government big and bigger, we add more rules no one can “figger…”
Fresh off his win for “Best Country Song” at the Hollywood Music In Media Awards (HMMA) for the biting and satirical “Play By The Rules”—whose video, featuring Chaffee dressed as Uncle Sam, has been viewed close to 30,000 times on YouTube—he also recently launched www.independentlion.com to help disenchanted Americans express their feelings.
The Independent Lion website sells T-shirts featuring a trademarked red, white and blue lion (styled like the Democratic Donkey and Republican Elephant) underscored by a memorable catchphrase that sums up what millions are thinking as we approach the 2010 midterm elections: “Not Left. Not Right. Not Satisfied.”
As Chaffee’s lion continues to roar, the media at large is also trying to zero in on new ways to keep this national conversation going and engage people in the political process.
In the Marina Del Rey area of Los Angeles, October 14-16, Talk Show Boot Camp’s Second Event joins forces with Al Peterson’s Talk Media Conference to present “The Largest Talk Event Ever!”
According to its website, “The 2010 Talk Media Conference & Talk Show Boot Camp is designed to provide format-focused learning sessions and thought provoking speakers targeting Talk radio professionals and other related industry executives. Whether you are a News/Talk/Sports programmer, manager or on-air talent, TMC&TSBC 2010 offers new research, insights and the information needed to navigate the changes and challenges of Talk media today and tomorrow.”
Also making waves in the media this week is Ray Griggs’ provocative documentary film “I Want Your Money,” which contrasts the two paths the U.S. can take using the words and actions of Presidents Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan.
The film’s iconic promotional Uncle Sam image is very similar in look to Chaffee as he appeared in the video for “Play By The Rules.”
“I Want Your Money” uses interviews from well-known public figures, experts, movie clips, dramatic portrayals, music, graphics and even comedic animation to tell the story in the plainest terms of the choice between the Obama and the Reagan views of the role of the federal government in our society.
It also examines how these big government programs have been tried in the past at great moral and financial cost to the nation. California is offered as a case-in-point in understanding what economic challenges might face the nation, if we choose the larger government path.
Among those interviewed for the project are: Mike Huckabee, Michael Reagan, William Voegeli, Stephen Moore, Star Parker, Edwin Meese III, Newt Gingrich, Pete Wilson and Steve Forbes.
Much like the followers of the Independent Lion, “I Want Your Money” is a call to action for those who care about the future of the United States.
Listen to “Easy Money” at http://luckmedia.com/projects/johnchaffee/.
]]>YOU’RE NOT ALONE! SINGER, SONGWRITER
AND ENTREPRENEUR JOHN CHAFFEE’S
INDEPENDENT LION WEBSITE GIVES VOICE
TO THE 32.8 PERCENT OF AMERICANS WHO
HAVE HAD IT WITH THE ONGOING D.C. FOLLIES
Still fed up with the state of American politics and the overspending, underachieving gridlock happening in Washington, D.C., singer-songwriter and entrepreneur John Chaffee is roaring louder than ever.
Fresh off his win for “Best Country Song” at the Hollywood Music In Media Awards (HMMA) for the biting and satirical “Play By The Rules”—whose video, featuring Chaffee dressed as Uncle Sam, has been viewed close to 30,000 times on YouTube—he’s launching www.independentlion.com to help disenchanted Americans express their feelings.
The Independent Lion website will sell T-shirts featuring a trademarked red, white and blue lion (styled like the Democratic Donkey and Republican Elephant) underscored by a memorable catchphrase that sums up what millions are thinking as we approach the 2010 midterm elections: “Not Left. Not Right. Not Satisfied.”
The site’s home page includes the Independent Lion’s mission statement: “There’s a growing segment of the population dissatisfied with the way things are going in Washington, our state capitals, and our city governments. It appears that neither party, Republican or Democrat, has the wherewithal to solve our problems, let alone the nerve to even address the more important ones. The elephant and the donkey just face off and butt heads…contentious, incapable, all their energies spent on a never-ending struggle with each other.
Emerging from the plains and towns across our country is a new symbol, the mighty King of the Beasts, to speak for those who have no voice. We encourage Independent Lions to roam through a land of no red states, no blue states, but a United States, where respect for the Constitution, and each other, rules. And where good old fashioned common sense, which would dictate limited government, living within our means, and playing by the rules, ROARS.”
Independent Lion is designed to attract the approximately one-third of registered voters in America who now call themselves “independents.” According to a July 31 survey conducted by the polling website Rasmussen Reports, approximately 32.8% of the American electorate are not registered as Democrats (35.4%) or Republicans (31.8%) but as independents.
“When it hit me that the number of independents is just about equal to those affiliated with either major party,” Chaffee says, “I realized this growing segment of Americans should have a powerful symbol to represent their point of view. Besides being individually strong, lions are social animals that run with and protect their prides. The lion seemed like the perfect symbol for freethinking defenders of our freedom and constitutional principles.”
The Cleveland-based Chaffee, who worked for several decades in radio and TV before emerging as an independent singer-songwriter, has made speaking appearances as “Uncle Sam,” the character he plays in the provocative video for “Play By The Rules”.
In addition to the upcoming release of the video on DVD, Chaffee is currently putting the finishing touches on a 5-song EP featuring “Play By The Rules” and four other witty and incisive, topical songs about the current state of America and its intractable politics. These will include “Easy Money” (about our government’s free-spending ways); “Washington, Adams and Tom” (which imagines how our Founding Fathers might feel if they time traveled to 2010); “Where’s My America Gone?” (which touches on the things we are losing and about to lose); and “Zombie Nation” (about how we continually accept the way our government lies and breaks promises and then shrugs its shoulders as if “Who cares?”).
“As a singer-songwriter who is also a concerned citizen, I simply want to give voice to those of us who are caught in the middle, feeling that our leaders and representatives continually fail to represent our interests,” says Chaffee. “I know I’m on the right track when people come up to me and say they completely connect with what I’m saying and hope I can go further with these creative endeavors. The bottom line is, our Founding Fathers had tremendous differences, yet they managed to listen to other people’s opinions and found a way to agree and build a nation. Today, it’s as if our leaders can’t agree on anything that’s good for the people they represent—people like us Independent Lions.”
]]>Perfectly Capturing The Public’s Growing Frustration,
The Popular Anthem And YouTube Sensation Won
“Best Country Song” At The Hollywood Music In Media Awards
And Earned The Cleveland Based Singer-Songwriter An
Appearance On Fox’s Live Webcast “The Strategy Room”
Fed up with political corruption and so-called “leaders” who refuse to “Play By The Rules”? Meet John Chaffee, aka “Uncle Sam”!
Driven by the same fiery spirit as Toby Keith’s classic “Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue (The Angry American)” and with infectious country-bluegrass flare to spare, the Cleveland based singer-songwriter’s biting, socially conscious song is quickly becoming the anthem of American frustration.
Months after its initial release, Chaffee’s High-Def YouTube video for “Play By The Rules” is still a major online sensation, and the track has received substantial airplay across the country. It also won “Best Country Song” at the recent Hollywood Music In Media Awards, and earned Chaffee a spot on Fox’s Live Webcast “The Strategy Room.”
Chaffee gives voice to millions of his fellow frustrated Americans with a concept that grew out of his growing anger over a daily dose of stories of corruption and scandal, not only in our nation’s capital but also in communities across the country.
A year after it was written and recorded, its pointed lyrics seem more prophetic than ever—for bad behavior has no expiration date. A few real-life examples, as observed by Chaffee:
“Is there anybody out there, who’ll just play by the rules?” asks Chaffee.
]]>WINS ‘BEST COUNTRY SONG’ AT THE
HOLLYWOOD MUSIC IN MEDIA AWARDS
***
The Cleveland-based Singer-Songwriter Was
Awarded For His Politically Charged Song
‘Play By The Rules’
Fresh off an appearance on FOX News’ Strategy Room, Cleveland-based singer-songwriter John Chaffee, a.k.a. “Uncle Sam,” was honored with the Best Country Song award for his politically charged anthem “Play By The Rules” at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards on November 19 at The Highlands in the world famous Hollywood & Highland/Kodak Theater complex.
Chaffee was presented the award by Nevada Entertainer of the Year and master musical impressionist Greg London, who was also a winner that night for Best Adult Contemporary Song for his hit single “Everything I Own.”
The “Play By The Rules” song and video concept grew out of his growing anger over a daily dose of stories of corruption and scandal, not only in our nation’s capital but also in communities across the country.
The colorful and irresistible video features Chaffee, a dead ringer for “Uncle Sam,” in red, white and blue garb singing as he walks through colorful but decadent urban landscapes including junkyards that work perfectly as a metaphorical backdrop for his pointed plea of a chorus: “Cut me in, bail me out, failure’s not my fault/Responsibility, what’s that, just a word that’s all/I’m trying very hard, to chill and keep my cool/I’m trying hard to find someone, who’ll just play by the rules/Is there anybody out there, who’ll just play by the rules.”
]]>VISITS HARRIS FAULKNER AT FOX NEWS’
‘STRATEGY ROOM’ IN NYC
Cleveland-based singer-songwriter John Chaffee, who is a dead ringer for Uncle Sam, appeared on FOX News’ Strategy Room on November 12 where he chatted with host Harris Faulkner about his feisty song and video, “Play By The Rules.” Chaffee’s appearance on Strategy Room is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Pqge4wTyuM.
Written out of his own frustration with those in the public trust, “Play By The Rules” has quickly become an anthem for the many Americans who are also fed up with politicians who are simply not – as you guessed – playing by the rules.
The colorful and powerful video features Chaffee himself dressed as Uncle Sam, and is becoming a sensation on YouTube, as well.
]]>JOHN CHAFFEE
A.K.A. UNCLE SAM RECEIVES
HOLLYWOOD MUSIC IN MEDIA AWARD
NOMINATION FOR HIS FEISTY ANTHEM,
“PLAY BY THE RULES”
Cleveland-based singer-songwriter John Chaffee (www.youtube.com/chaffeekid), who has given voice to millions of his fellow frustrated Americans with “Play By The Rules”, recently received word he has received a Hollywood Music in Media Award nomination for the song. With biting wit and blunt truth, Chaffee points out in his song and video, everyone agrees: we’re all fed up with leaders and others in the public eye who keep failing us because—you guessed it—they don’t “Play By The Rules.”
Surprised by news of the honor, Chaffee said, “This is an unexpected recognition of a song I hope is resonating with the people. I’m very appreciative of the HMMA’s nomination. I’ll be at the show, perhaps with boots on!”
Chaffee will find out if he wins the award when the Hollywood Music in Media Awards (www.hmmawards.com) take place on Thursday, November 19 at The Highlands located in the world-famous Hollywood & Highlands / Kodak Theater complex in Hollywood, California.
The “Play By The Rules” song and video concept grew out of his growing anger over a daily dose of stories of corruption and scandal, not only in our nation’s capital but also in communities across the country.
The colorful and irresistible video features Chaffee, a dead ringer for “Uncle Sam,” in red, white and blue garb singing as he walks through colorful but decadent urban landscapes including junkyards that work perfectly as a metaphorical backdrop for his pointed plea of a chorus: “Cut me in, bail me out, failure’s not my fault/Responsibility, what’s that, just a word that’s all/I’m trying very hard, to chill and keep my cool/I’m trying hard to find someone, who’ll just play by the rules/Is there anybody out there, who’ll just play by the rules.”
“Early this year,” he says, “it seems we were told almost daily about another tax issue, or ethical issue, or moral issue, not just with the nominees for public office but also our representatives currently serving in government as well as others in positions of public trust. It’s an arrogance that leads to the belief that there are no consequences for your actions.
“And I wondered,” Chaffee adds, “‘how do you know who to trust anymore? It seems nobody plays by the rules. The American people are coming to grips with the grim reality that trustworthiness is becoming a difficult thing to find. To me, ‘Play By The Rules’ is a song about the values taught to us as children that seem to be eroding in the lives and conduct of those people we are supposed to be able to look up to and respect. In many ways, America has become like a rudderless ship, careening across the water wishing she had a moral compass. There was once a Dignity Code, but it’s no longer in our rule book. Maybe it’s time to bring it back.”
***
Cleveland Based Singer/Songwriter John Chaffee
Heads To Washington With A Message For Politicians –
“Play By The Rules” – The Title Of His Popular YouTube
Video Of His Country-Bluegrass Song Addressing Our
Nation’s Ills With Biting Humor And A Much Needed
Dose Of Truth
***
Chaffee Will Participate In The March On Washington,
September 12, Dressed As Uncle Sam
Cleveland based singer songwriter John Chaffee points out with biting wit and blunt truth in “Play By The Rules,” his explosive new song and High Definition YouTube video (www.youtube.com/chaffeekid), everyone agrees : we’re all fed up with leaders and others in the public eye who keep failing us because—you guessed it—they don’t “Play By The Rules.”
With infectious country-bluegrass flair to spare, Chaffee gives voice to millions of his fellow frustrated Americans with a song and video concept that grew out of his growing anger over a daily dose of stories of corruption and scandal, not only in our nation’s capital but also in communities across the country.
On Saturday, September 12, Chaffee will join thousands of Americans who deliver a message to politicians – we’ve had enough! – in the March On Washington (www.912dc.org). The crowd will begin gathering at 9 a.m. at Freedom Plaza and the march down Pennsylvania Ave will begin at 11:30 a.m.
Chaffee, a dead ringer for “Uncle Sam,” is sure to standout in the crowd as he plans to sport in red, white and blue garb he adorns in the “Play By The Rules” video while singing as he walks through colorful but decadent urban landscapes including junkyards that work perfectly as a metaphorical backdrop for his pointed plea of a chorus: “Cut me in, bail me out, failure’s not my fault/Responsibility, what’s that, just a word that’s all/I’m trying very hard, to chill and keep my cool/I’m trying hard to find someone, who’ll just play by the rules/Is there anybody out there, who’ll just play by the rules.”
Chaffee was inspired to write “Play By The Rules” when he saw that those in government began overlooking significant tax problems in appointees, even with the Treasury Secretary. Another line in the song sums up how he feels: “Not exactly what was planned when The Fathers made this nation!”
Chaffee’s song and video are also a powerful call to arms designed to inspire millions of Americans to stand up and take action. Later in the song, he sings “Do we stand up mad as hell? How much more of this can we take?”
“Early this year,” he says, “it seems we were told almost daily about another tax issue, or ethical issue, or moral issue, not just with the nominees for public office but also our representatives currently serving in government as well as others in positions of public trust. It’s an arrogance that leads to the belief that there are no consequences for your actions.
“And I wondered,” Chaffee adds, “‘how do you know who to trust anymore? It seems nobody plays by the rules. The American people are coming to grips with the grim reality that trustworthiness is becoming a difficult thing to find. To me, ‘Play By The Rules’ is a song about the values taught to us as children that seem to be eroding in the lives and conduct of those people we are supposed to be able to look up to and respect. In many ways, America has become like a rudderless ship, careening across the water wishing she had a moral compass. There was once a Dignity Code, but it’s no longer in our rule book. Maybe it’s time to bring it back.”
EVENT RECAP:
Saturday, September 12
March On Washington
Freedom Plaza to Pennsylvania Ave
9 a.m. Gathering
11:30 a.m. March
**Chaffee is available for interviews prior to the event start.
]]>