Democratic Senate hopeful plays off band's 'cool' vibe at concert
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http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2005/08/30/news/local/news05.txt
Democratic Senate hopeful plays off band's 'cool' vibe at concert
http://www.missoulian.com/content/articles/2005/08/30/news/local/news05.jpg
Jon Tester, right, candidate for Montana's U.S. Senate seat, joins Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament on stage Monday night to introduce the rest of the band.
Photo by KURT WILSON/Missoulian
They came from eastern Montana and Washington and Arizona. Some wore their political inclinations on their sleeves, or on their chests, their shirts proclaiming everything from the derogatory - "Bush Sucks!" - to the hopeful: "Tester For Senate." There were preteen kids in backward baseball caps, graying men in business suits, and even a few avowed Republicans.
Most at Monday night's Pearl Jam concert at the Adams Center at least shared the knowledge that the event was a benefit for Jon Tester, the Big Sandy Democrat vying for a seat in the U.S. Senate now occupied by Republican Conrad Burns.
But a few were clueless.
"Is he the incumbent?" one concertgoer innocently asked a Tester volunteer.
That guy, at least, could be excused: He was Dale Green, 29, a Pearl Jam fan who had traveled from Aberdeen, Wash., in order to see the band perform in Missoula. Green nonetheless was intrigued by Pearl Jam's willingness to support Tester.
"The fact that (Pearl Jam bassist and Missoula resident) Jeff Ament is supporting (Tester) says a lot," asserted Green. "To see Jeff putting himself out there for this guy means something."
That sentiment - that Jon Tester must be cool, because Jeff Ament is cool - seemed to rule the night at the concert, which drew a near-capacity crowd to the arena on the University of Montana campus.
"I read about (Tester) in the paper," said Jenaveve Bell, a 22-year old University of Montana student. "He sounded like a good guy, and he's friends with Jeff Ament, so I'd like to know more about him."
Bell probably didn't learn much Monday night. Other than a small, two-sided card being handed out before the event by volunteers who ringed the entrance to the Adams Center, little information about Tester's positions was offered at the concert.
"Whether we raise a nickel, if we can get the young people of Montana fired up about this campaign, we've succeeded," said Tester, standing outside the arena greeting concertgoers before the event. "We're not really pushing our platform here; we just want to raise awareness."
Inside, after an opening performance by Seattle band The Briefs, Ament took the stage around 8:30 p.m. to a standing ovation from the crowd. After a few thank-yous, he introduced Tester, who was welcomed with equal warmth.
"This is what happens when a dirt farmer from Big Sandy runs for Senate teamed up with a bass player from Montana who's a member of a world-famous band," said Tester to the crowd.
With that, Pearl Jam launched into its performance. (Read a review of the concert in Thursday's Entertainer.)
For most in attendance, that was what the event was all about: a concert. Especially for people like Josh Richards.
"I'm a Republican," said the 20-year old business student. "But you can't pass up Pearl Jam."
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http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?tl=1&display=rednews/2005/08/30/build/state/45-pearl-jam.inc
Democratic Senate hopeful plays off band's 'cool' vibe at concert
http://www.missoulian.com/content/articles/2005/08/30/news/local/news05.jpg
Jon Tester, right, candidate for Montana's U.S. Senate seat, joins Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament on stage Monday night to introduce the rest of the band.
Photo by KURT WILSON/Missoulian
They came from eastern Montana and Washington and Arizona. Some wore their political inclinations on their sleeves, or on their chests, their shirts proclaiming everything from the derogatory - "Bush Sucks!" - to the hopeful: "Tester For Senate." There were preteen kids in backward baseball caps, graying men in business suits, and even a few avowed Republicans.
Most at Monday night's Pearl Jam concert at the Adams Center at least shared the knowledge that the event was a benefit for Jon Tester, the Big Sandy Democrat vying for a seat in the U.S. Senate now occupied by Republican Conrad Burns.
But a few were clueless.
"Is he the incumbent?" one concertgoer innocently asked a Tester volunteer.
That guy, at least, could be excused: He was Dale Green, 29, a Pearl Jam fan who had traveled from Aberdeen, Wash., in order to see the band perform in Missoula. Green nonetheless was intrigued by Pearl Jam's willingness to support Tester.
"The fact that (Pearl Jam bassist and Missoula resident) Jeff Ament is supporting (Tester) says a lot," asserted Green. "To see Jeff putting himself out there for this guy means something."
That sentiment - that Jon Tester must be cool, because Jeff Ament is cool - seemed to rule the night at the concert, which drew a near-capacity crowd to the arena on the University of Montana campus.
"I read about (Tester) in the paper," said Jenaveve Bell, a 22-year old University of Montana student. "He sounded like a good guy, and he's friends with Jeff Ament, so I'd like to know more about him."
Bell probably didn't learn much Monday night. Other than a small, two-sided card being handed out before the event by volunteers who ringed the entrance to the Adams Center, little information about Tester's positions was offered at the concert.
"Whether we raise a nickel, if we can get the young people of Montana fired up about this campaign, we've succeeded," said Tester, standing outside the arena greeting concertgoers before the event. "We're not really pushing our platform here; we just want to raise awareness."
Inside, after an opening performance by Seattle band The Briefs, Ament took the stage around 8:30 p.m. to a standing ovation from the crowd. After a few thank-yous, he introduced Tester, who was welcomed with equal warmth.
"This is what happens when a dirt farmer from Big Sandy runs for Senate teamed up with a bass player from Montana who's a member of a world-famous band," said Tester to the crowd.
With that, Pearl Jam launched into its performance. (Read a review of the concert in Thursday's Entertainer.)
For most in attendance, that was what the event was all about: a concert. Especially for people like Josh Richards.
"I'm a Republican," said the 20-year old business student. "But you can't pass up Pearl Jam."
+
http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?tl=1&display=rednews/2005/08/30/build/state/45-pearl-jam.inc
1996: Zürich - 2000: Zürich - 2006: Marseille, Paris & Berne
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- EV
Charlotte 03
Asheville 04
Atlanta 12
Greenville 16, Columbia 16
Seattle 18
Nashville 22
Too cool...
- Dan
Jeff Ament, has influenced the U.S. Senate. There is no question about it.