Singer Sheryl Crow, who has expressed leftist views in the past, said she contacts her local Republican representatives in Tennessee “every day” in an effort to “fight” for the future.
The 63-year-old recording artist was discussing her move to the Volunteer State and how her politics do not align with those of many Tennesseans.
“We all have those moments in our life where we have to pivot,” Crow told Variety in a newly published interview. “I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, and I moved [to Tennessee] in 2007. I think having come out of a relationship [with former professional cyclist Lance Armstrong] where I thought I was gonna be married and was close to the kids that were gonna be my stepkids, then got diagnosed — all three of those things made me reassess. I just looked at it and thought, ‘I want to put down roots; I want to have a family.’ My sisters live here, and my family all lived within three hours, and I just decided to start phase two.”
She said she’s happy with the move to Tennessee, but has experienced some difficulties adjusting.
“Tennessee is a hard place for me. I mean, I struggle,” she told the outlet. “I call my representatives [in Congress] every single morning — Andy Ogles and Marsha Blackburn hear from me every day — because we have to stand up and be vocal and fight for the future for our kids.”
“I do think, ’Are they laughing?’ But it’s like what Jimmy Carter said: As long as there’s legal bribery, we won’t ever have fair elections. So we have to keep raising our voices and showing up to these organized rallies,” Crow added.
The “Soak Up the Sun” singer said she received backlash after posting a video of her Tesla being towed away. “This feels different, because when I came out against Walmart carrying guns [in a 1996 song], not everybody was armed — and certainly I didn’t live in Tennessee, where everybody is armed,” she said.
“So yeah, there was a moment where I actually really felt very afraid: A man got on my property, in my barn, who was armed. It doesn’t feel safe when you’re dealing with people who are so committed.”
As for posting the video, she said, “I can’t help it. I feel like I’m fighting for my kids. Also, that’s the way I was raised. There have been times when it hasn’t really been fun, but I follow my Atticus Finch dad; I’m very similar to him if I see something that seems unfair, you know?”
Crow was criticized for an Instagram post with the caption, “My parents always said … you are who you hang out with. There comes a time when you have to decide who you are willing to align with. So long Tesla.”
“Money donated to [NPR], which is under threat by President Musk, in hopes that the truth will continue to find its way to those willing to know the truth,” the post concluded.
