Nashville’s biggest stars combined their powers to support Representative Gloria Johnson, who is pursuing the Democratic nomination for the United States Senate, with the newly released anthem “Tennessee Rise.” The social justice anthem was recorded by the Tennessee Freedom Singers with an impressive number of singers, as listed below:
- Allison Russell
- Amanda Shires
- Beth Nielsen Chapman
- Brandi Carlile
- Brittany Howard
- Brittney Spencer
- Brooke Eden
- Denitia
- Devon Gilfillian
- Elizabeth Cook
- Emmylou Harris
- Erin Rae
- Fancy Hagood
- Jaimee Harris
- Julie Williams
- Kam Franklin
- Katie Pruitt
- Kyshona Armstrong
- Langhorne Slim
- Lilly Winwood
- Lucie Silvas
- Maren Morris
- Mary Gauthier
- Meghan Linsey
- Meghan McCormick
- Mya Byrne
- MORGXN
- Paul McDonald
- Phillip-Michael Scales
- Ruby Amanfu
- Sam Ashworth
- Sara Van Buskirk
- Shelly Colvin
- Tre Burt And Wade Sapp
“‘Tennessee Rise’ is an anthem born out of resistance from the rise of extremist forces, the unwillingness to accept the rollback of protections for historically marginalized groups, and a determination to keep Tennessee a place of welcoming that so many have found solace in,” per a press release. “Inspired by the Tennessee Three and the wave of activism that followed this past year, ‘Tennessee Rise’ was formed from Grammy-winning artist Allison Russell’s deep love for the state — banding together some of Nashville’s best and brightest musicians for an essential fight for democracy.”
The statement continued, “The collaboration is a first of its kind in bringing such artists together to use music as a show of support for a political candidate in this state.”
For some context, Johnson and fellow Tennessee Representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson were dubbed the “Tennessee Three” after protesting gun control on the House floor in March 2023, as per the Knoxville News Sentinel at the time. The protest came days after a fatal mass shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville. Johnson announced her 2024 Senate campaign last September.
According to an Instagram post from Russell, the song was recorded last December at Nashville’s Sound Emporium Studios.
Watch the “Tennessee Rise” video above, and check out posts about it below.
#TennesseeRise is a call to action for all in TN who care about protecting our freedoms & democracy. This movement is multi-faith, multi-ethnic, & multi-partisan. Our voices & votes are powerful — it’s time to make ourselves heard!
Register! Vote! Rise!
Watch the FULL video
pic.twitter.com/ZfvXLkQzJH
— Rep. Gloria Johnson (@VoteGloriaJ) March 13, 2024
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.