Brad Paisley shows how we’re all the same in Ukraine and US
We live in a time where how you interpret an event depends on the medium in which you are exposed to it.
If you’re watching Fox News, how you evaluate the United States’ support of the War in Ukraine is different than if you watch CNN or MSNBC.
That’s why it was all the more striking that for one, brief moment in time, this new conventional norm was suspended, and all three cable networks marched to the beat of the same drum thanks to country music icon Brad Paisley.
Marking the one year anniversary of the War in Ukraine, Paisley released a new song, “Same Here,” that features voiceover narrative from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the proceeds and royalties of which will go to UNITED24 for their Rebuild Ukraine program.
Given the political current political climate, a song like this could easily turn into yet another example of tribalism overrunning the narrative and the broader meaning of the song being completely lost. In a cultural event like this, first impressions matter.
Why it was important to go on Fox News
So there Brad was on a recent Friday morning appearing on Fox News’ flagship morning show “Fox & Friends” to unveil the song. It’s not lost on me that Paisley was speaking directly to the demographic that is expressing the most skepticism about the United States’ support of Ukraine.
Recent polling has shown a decline in enthusiasm for supporting the War in Ukraine, particularly among Republicans. 61% favoring a time limit on support, according to a new Fox News poll.
New research released by Pew reveals that 4-in-10 Republicans believe the country is providing too much aide to Ukraine, up 9% from the start of the war. During the segment, co-host Brian Kilmeade referred to the “monsters in Russia” and dubbed Paisley’s efforts “pretty impressive.”
Fox News national correspondent Griff Jenkins tweeted, “Amazing song! Bravo @Bradpaislely for supporting Ukraine.”
That’s about as ringing of an endorsement as you could hope for.
Performances on MSNBC and CNN ensued
Later that day, Brad took to MSNBC’S “Deadline White House” with Nicolle Wallace to share the backstory of how Zelenskyy’s involvement with the song came to be.
Brad ended the evening on “CNN Tonight” with Alisyn Camerota with an amazing moment where Republican pollster Frank Luntz, who was also on set with Camerota, decided to donate $10,000 to the UNITED24 effort.
Throughout the day, Paisley’s efforts received bipartisan recognition on social media from Republicans like Gov. Spencer Cox, R-utah, Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-texas,) and Democrats like Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-california) and
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-illinois).
This song showed how alike we all are
Paisley’s efforts demonstrate the power of music and art to bypass the noise and speak directly to the heart. You have to reach people where they live and in this case, he left no stone unturned and the results were hopeful.
At the song’s crescendo, Zelenskyy is heard saying, “we speak different languages but I think we appreciate the same things – children, freedom, our flag, our soldiers, our people…there is no distance between our countries in such values…”
Few things can unite the various factions that represent American politics and media the way that music can.
How often do we see Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, Republicans and Democrats interpret and portray a cultural event in the same way?
Paisley’s song is a reminder that no matter where you live, what you do, what language you speak, what team you cheer for, the majority of us want the same things.
Apparently, it’s a message that people are open to absorbing because “Same Here” ended the day as the No. 1 song on itunes.