Considering the tragedy and devastation brought upon the United States by gun violence, it’s surprising that more musicians and artists aren’t working to fight it, but Sheryl Crow, Peter Frampton, Kevin Bacon and a number of others stepped up at a concert and discussion panel in New York last week sponsored by the nonprofits Artist for Action to Prevent Gun Violence and Sandy Hook Promise, each one beginning their performance by saying their name and stating, “I am an artist for action.”
At the center of the event was musician Mark Barden, whose son Daniel was murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012. He vowed to do everything in his power to prevent gun violence and a documentary on his efforts, “A Father’s Promise,” was executive produced by Crow and released last week.
He and his Promise Band backed Crow during her three-song set on Thursday, along with guitarist Jimmy Vivino, playing “Every Day Is a Winding Road,” “Redemption Day” and “I Shall Believe.”
“This is an example of how music can be something to help you find your way through an impossible situation,” she said.
She then introduced Peter Frampton as her good friend, and referenced her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last month. He played “Georgia on My Mind” and his 1976 hit “Do You Feel Like I Do,” and then was joined by Crow and other performers for his song “Shine On.”
The show opened with Kevin Bacon performing “Heroes”; other performers includedBernie Williams, Rozzi,The Dumes, The Alternate Routes, Jen Chapin, and Aztec Two Step 2.0
During the discussion panel, Bacon, who is matching all donations up to $25,000 to support Artist For Action and Sandy Hook Promise, gave perhaps the most direct comment about the jarring disconnect of the government’s complete failure to correct laws that result in thousands of deaths from gun violence in the U.S. every year — gun violence is the number-one cause of death for people 19 and under in this country. “Part of what’s so frustrating us this level complacency that’s overtaken us,” he said. “When we see there’s been a shooting, that’s no longer a shock. Unfortunately, it’s a political issue: But it’s kids’ lives. It makes no sense to politicize it.”
Frampton, a native of the U.K. who now lives in Nashville, added, “In the U.K., we have no Second Amendment, and I never understood until I lived in this country what that means. After a shooting in Scotland where 14 people were killed, the government passed [gun] buy-back laws,” as have Australia and New Zealand.
“That process that if we keep pushing for gun control, it can be done. We are the only place in the world where this happens.”
Nicole Hockley, whose son was killed at Sandy Hook, said, “Kids should not have to go to school thinking, ‘I could be shot today.’”
