Rick Hendrix, a successful music promoter and songwriter, recently announced his intention to run for U.S. Congress in the 2010 midterm elections on the Democratic ticket. Hendrix recently served at the Democratic National Convention as a US Presidential Delegate representing North Carolina, and also as an advisor on the Faith Outreach Committee for Senator Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.
According to a press release, Hendrix:
"built a promotion empire that has generated a quarter of a billion record sales since the 1990's. The Rick Hendrix Company, with offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Nashville, handles a third of all positive and Christian music heard on contemporary American radio. Most recently, Hendrix's company was honored with their 251st Platinum Album Award for their work on Mariah Carey's 'Charmbracelet' album, which has sold over one million copies."
He's worked with everyone from The Crabb Family and the Gaither Vocal Band to American Idols and Sonicflood, in genres from Southern Gospel to country to pop rock.
Hendrix says in the press release that he sees faith and politics as complementary and will be running on a platform of "peace before politics, wisdom before war, and God before government." In support of his position Hendrix says that "Politics are sometimes about an individual's quest for power, but my Christian faith and political ambition is about loving others, and helping everyone towards the common goal of peace. I seek political placement because it will give me the opportunity to create change, not demand it."
Disclaimer - I'm just throwing this out for discussion, not making any judgement on Rick Hendrix. If he can take his Christian faith to Congress, I say, Rock on. It's just an interesting topic, mixing music and politics, and this seemed like a good story to launch a discussion: If faith and politics are complementary, can Christian music and politics also be complementary? As Christian music fans, do you care where the folks who bring you your music stand politically? And if so, does it change your buying habits to either support an artist with the same political views or not support an artist with opposing political views?
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I know a few of you from the other board. I cant see Hendrix winning his first try. Its hard. It would take 3 million dollars to even fight for that seat in a midterm.
Bev, someone here in the comments section actually asked his office and got a response, which they posted.
Why do you only want to know Rick Hendrix's positions on abortion and gay marriage? How about taxes and the military and immigration and school vouchers?
Joanne
host of the GS blog
Darin - what in the world do you mean by this: "hand out abortion discount cards??"
Joanne
host of the GS blog
I am an axe-murderer. I love the Lord. I dont see the point you are making Marg? God loves all of us for who we are. I think Mr Hendrix is thinking outside the box. He doesnt fit the typical holy moly that has kept axe-murderer Christians from serving God publicly. So, maybe he will fight for all of us. (Ridiculous, I know)
Homosexuality is considered a sin by God. He doesn't leave that one up for debate any more than He leaves murder. Does he love murderers and gays? Yes. Does He require that they repent? Yes. Faith without works is dead, says James the Just. And Christians who have no intention of repenting from their sin aren't really Christians but are goats who have fooled themselves into thinking they are sheep.
In response to "Keyes"...and others who state Rick Hendrix's background in music is not a foundation for politics...I know Hendrix and he is not about "working the press" or "hype."...and because someone is a music executive certainly doesn't mean they cannot contribute to the betterment of our government. I have been around the recording industry all my life and find that a majority of the professionals in the industry are well-versed in the issues at hand. Artists and fans of music bear one thing in common, they "feel."..Lanier once said, "Music is love in search of a word."..If our government is going to improve, politicians will have to feel the pulse of America and care enough to spread the message of love to humankind. When politicians start searching the depths of their hearts and begin expressing a deep care for the welfare of not only the country but each individual citizen, then Lanier's quote will be validated..The citizens and all the politicians will be hearing and feeling the heartbeat of America: Freedom of Expression...And that my friend is music to America's ears.
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