The 2024 Republican National Convention is filled with conservative elites, everyday Americans, and some celebrities, including Trump-loving musicians.
From the band based in Nashville, Sixwire, so that the participants can be entertained all four days in Milwaukee until Rock boy warm up the crowd before Donald Trump came on stage with “war, war” rendition of a mashup of old songs ‘American Bad Ass’ and ‘Cowboy.’
But Donald Fagen, Steely Dan’s only surviving founder, was unhappy when his song ‘Reelin’ in the Years’ was played by Sixwire as part of the setlist. He posted a message on Facebook suggesting a different track instead: the anti-Trump ballad ‘Tin Foil Hat.’
The song in question is not a Steely Dan song, but a Todd Rundgren track featuring Fagan – and very specifically about Trump.
The Republican National Convention’s house band, Sixwire, played classic rock in Milwaukee—including Steely Dan.
In a response posted to Steely Dan’s official site, Donald Fagen suggested the group covered Trump and Todd Rundgren’s takedown, “Tin Foil Hat.” pic.twitter.com/NV2C54q0pz
– Expanding Dan, Steely Dan newsletter (@ExpandingDan) July 18, 2024
Here you can see more of the different singers and bands that showed up at the convention in support of Trump and artists who have spoken out against playing music in his show.
Rock boy
Kid Rock performed before Trump took the stage on Day 4.
“He’s been my friend for the last ten years and he’s amazing, everybody loves him,” Trump said during his convention speech.
.@KidRock debut new version of American Badass at the RNC pic.twitter.com/j89Yt6AGxg
– Daily Caller (@Daily Caller) July 19, 2024
Jason Aldean
Jason Aldean and his wife Brittany Kerr took a seat next to Trump in the MAGA friends and family box on the last night of the RNC. Aldean did not perform during the RNC’s public session, but instead performed a private concert that evening.
Jason Aldean Performing “Try That In A Small Town” During His Private Concert at the RNC pic.twitter.com/n4QVd9T3Fv
— Jayne Zirkle (@JayneZirkle) July 19, 2024
Trump called Aldean “the biggest star in country music” during his acceptance speech. “He’s good,” Trump said. “I like his wife better,” the former president said in reference to Aldean’s wife, Brittany Kerr.
Lee Greenwood
Lee Greenwood introduced Trump to the RNC on Day 1 and Day 4 and performed on Day 2.
What a grand entrance for Donald Trump at the RNC as Lee Greenwood plays ‘God Bless the USA’
Watch until the end to shoot the ‘I’ll be back’ flag in the background as Trump approaches the podium.Wherever our ‘President’ is sleeping because he has passed… pic.twitter.com/xExqk6JEtc
– Eric Abbenante (@EricAbbenante) July 19, 2024
During his keynote speech Thursday night, Trump said Greenwood was a “beautiful man.” Greenwood, who has been a close ally of Trump over the years, sang three times this week at the RNC, twice to introduce Trump.
Brian Kelly
Florida native and country singer-songwriter Brian Kelley showed up on Wednesday to perform ‘American Spirit’ with a gospel choir.
Kelley is known for being a former chart-topping country duo in Florida Georgia Line, along with the Georgia native Tyler Hubbard.
Chris Johnson
Country singer Chris Johnson performed there, joining the Nashville-based band Sixwire. They played his single ‘All American Guy.’
Celebrate All American Guys with Chris Janson! #FromHeart pic.twitter.com/Exs3nS8nHJ
– Charles Hart (@youneedahart) July 16, 2024
Tom Petty’s family
The family of the late Tom Petty condemned the use of the musician’s song “I Won’t Back Down” at a Trump 2020 campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
In a statement released on X, Tom Petty’s daughters Adria and Annakim, Dana’s widow, and his ex-wife Jane Petty wrote that they will “make an official announcement and stop working for the Trump campaign.”
“Trump did not have the authority to use this song for a campaign that hurt so many Americans and common sense,” the family wrote in a statement.
Elton John
During his presidency, Trump used Elton John’s songs “Rocket Man” and “Tiny Dancer” as warm-up music for his campaign. But this great singer has made it clear that his views differ from Trump’s and that he does not want his music to be involved in American politics.
“I don’t want my music to have anything to do with the American election campaign. I’m British. I’ve met Donald Trump, he’s been really nice to me, nothing personal, his own political views, I’m totally different, I’m not a Republican in a million years ,” John told The Guardian in 2016.
Rihanna
In 2018, Rihanna found her music being played during one of the rallies through X.
Responding to a post on X from The Washington Post reporter Philip Rucker about the music he used, he sent“It won’t be long…neither me nor my people will be in one of those tragic rallies, so thank you philip!”
Shortly after Rihanna posted on X about the disagreement, her team sent her a cease and desist notice, Rolling Stone reported.
The Rolling Stones
Since 2016, the band has posted multiple statements asking Trump to “cease all use” of their music, Vulture reported.
But Trump continued to use the band’s song “You can’t get what you want”.
In June 2020, representatives of the group – working with BMI, a performance rights organization – issued a statement that if Trump continues to use the band’s music in his campaign efforts, he may be sued.
Brendon Urie of Panic! At the Disco
In X, Panic! The Disco frontman told the Trump campaign to stop playing the song “High Hopes,” which was played when the president walked on stage at a 2020 rally in Phoenix, Arizona, according to USA Today.
“Dear Trump Campaign, Fuck you. You’re not invited. Stop playing my song. No thanks, Brendon Urie, Panic! At The Disco & Company,” musicians write in X.
Dear Trump Campaign,
fuck you You are not invited. Stop playing my song.
No thanks,
Brendon Urie, Panic! At The Disco & Company.– Brendon Urie (@brendonurie) June 24, 2020
A member of George Harrison’s estate
At the same 2016 RNC, The Beatles classic “Here Comes the Sun,” written by George Harrison, played. A member of his estate posted on X saying that the use of the song was unwanted.
But they are well they are sure to get dig in. “If it’s Dark Vigilance, then we MIGHT have endorsed it! #TrumpYourself,” X’s post read.