Big & Rich member unveils John McCain anthem

It looks like the return volleys to Will.i.am are finally arriving. Rockers and rappers have rallied behind the presumptive Democratic nominee, but musicians coming out for his Republican opponent John McCain have been fewer and farther between. There's Burt Bacharach and Ted Nugent, but others have been mostly silent concerning the Arizona Senator's candidacy. Still, as indie rock is to the Democrats, country music is to the Republicans, so it's hardly surprising that John Rich, most famously of pop-country duo Big & Rich, has penned his own anthem in support of McCain.

Titled "Raising McCain", the song is a "rock-infused" look at the five years McCain spent as a P.O.W. in North Vietnam: “He stayed strong, stayed extra long ’til they let all the other boys out / Now we’ve got a real man with an American plan, we’re going to put him in the big White House / We’re all just raising McCain.”

Rich debuted the song in Panama City, Fla., with McCain in attendance. “I wanted to offer him something that he didn’t have, a rally song, one that really captures that maverick spirit,” Rich said. “The entire world is looking for a way to sucker punch us. National security is absolutely at the top of the list of issues. That’s why I think John McCain is the guy to keep us safe.”

Now that Big & Rich have joined McCain, a conflict between the nominees' camps seems that much more tantalizing. Arcade Fire VS The Nuge. Wilco VS Burt Bacharach. Bright Eyes VS Big & Rich. This presidential battle of the bands really needs to happen.

Download "Raisin' McCain" at John Rich's website

Related links:
News: Grateful Dead reunites for Barack Obama
Big & Rich on MySpace
YouTube: Big & Rich - "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)"

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