Daisha McBride, Margo Price, Many More to Play Musicians for Marquita

One of the more surprising results of August’s primary elections was the outcome of the race to secure the Democratic nomination to fill the U.S. Senate seat that retiring Lamar Alexander will vacate. James Mackler, a Nashville attorney and the favorite of national Democrats, lost handily to Marquita Bradshaw, an environmentalist and former labor organizer from Memphis. That’s despite Mackler outspending Bradshaw by a wide margin during the campaign — more than 150 times the combined spending of Bradshaw and fellow Democratic Senate candidate Robin Kimbrough Hayes.

Bradshaw, the first Black woman to be nominated for a statewide race by a major party in Tennessee, has a platform that resonates strongly with progressive voters. Supporters recognize that mounting a campaign against Trump-approved Republican candidate Bill Hagerty prior to the general election is going to take a lot more financial muscle. To that end, two notable events are on the horizon. 

First, on Oct. 4, Chattanooga Democratic Socialists of America will host an online comedy fundraiser. Called Marquita!, the event includes former Nashville star Connie Britton as well as national comedy talent like Sarah Silverman, Jaboukie Young-White and Bowen Yang. See the Facebook event page for more details and a link to donate to Bradshaw’s campaign, after which you’ll get a link to watch the show. 

Of more specific interest to Cream readers is Musicians for Marquita, a live-music telethon hosted by Third Man Records and set for Oct. 20. A vast slate of much-loved musicians from Nashville and nearby is on board. You’ll hear rap aces Daisha McBride, FU Stan and Mike Floss. Country-and-rock songsmith Margo Price will be there, as will Rosanne Cash, Rodney Crowell and Lillie Mae. Avant-folk institution The Cherry Blossoms are taking part, as is guitarist and composer William Tyler and members of the superb girl-group tribute collective She’s a Rebel. Superlative R&B singer Yourstruly Jai; rock-and-pop power couple John McCauley and Vanessa Carlton; stellar singer-songwriters like Tristen, Kyshona Armstrong, Caitlin Rose, Erin Rae and Aaron Lee Tasjan; Advice King Chris Crofton — the list goes on and on. 

Check out the poster above, and keep an eye on Third Man’s website and social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) for updates.