Willie Nelson and Neil Young?

In the "ideas for 2004" thread, there was somewhat of a consensus that the 2003 relay did not gain as much media attention as we would have liked, and someone mentioned the idea of trying to have a more "splashy" event to try to garner the national media's attention. Of course, the fact that this is a Presidential election year can be seen as a problem (making it harder to get media attention), or a blessing. We could perhaps try to organize a large "attention-grabbing event", which would be aided greatly if we could get some celebrities to help out - with the two options that pop into my head first being Willie Nelson and Neil Young, both of whom are big proponents of biodiesel. An additional benefit with these two, over some other choices that we could consider, is that they are not viewed as "whacko liberal hippies" by a large segment of the population, as some other choices might be (i.e. in some ways, having the Indigo Girls, for example, might do more harm than good because of the large number of people (rightly or wrongly) who now dislike them). Willie Nelson and Neil Young could help garner a lot of good attention from more conservative people who usually wouldn't give biodiesel a second thought, thinking it's only for hippies or something. With it being a Presidential election year, it could also help out tremendously if we could get, for example, John Kerry to come and say a few words. I might be able to work something out there, which I can check into if this seems like a good idea to others (both having Kerry, and the general idea overall of having a large media event with celebrities, etc., perhaps to kick off a relay, or as the main event without a relay). Thoughts?

I'm sorry Mike, but I can't see Neil and Willie as anything but wacko liberal hippies. That's what I like best about them (besides their songs). I'm not saying you're wrong about using them as figureheads and attention getters either. It's just that their pictures are in the dictionary next to "wacko liberal hippies". And what's wrong with that? Bill

Willie did do a commercial for H & R Block...... So maybe he'd bring some added relief from the "(tax)man"? Hee hee.....now seriously, what date/s is the relay/event scheduled for?

Hi Mike, I just joined this forum and read your suggestions for event celebrities. Im sorry but I have to agree with Bill, Willie Nelson and Neil Young are not going to get great attention. If you really want to bring attention to biodiesel then you are going to have to reach out to conservatives. One Daryl Hannah interview with Bill O'Reilly last year reached more people than ten thousand Willie Nelson concerts would. I know most of you guys (and gals) in BD-land are pretty liberal, politically, but its time to get over yourselves! My vote would be to try and enlist the Governator! Yep thats right, Ahhrnold! If you think about it, he is perfect for this, California needs new answers to old problems, and politically, he can promote BioDiesel for job growth and environmental concerns to have California lead the way...blahblahblah...And he needs the enviro points with the Libs. Also, I would use the opportunity to inform him of the "sale-ability" of a 400HP monster-diesel Hummer that gets 30mpg or better and is actually good for the environment. Anyway, I have written his office a letter to see what he knows about BD. We shall see? Let me know what you think! Eric

I saw a political ad for John Kerry last night. He is proposing US energy independence in 10 years! Talk about a refreshing idea coming from the top, and not the same old tired attack ads.

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I saw a political ad for John Kerry last night. He is proposing US energy independence in 10 years! Talk about a refreshing idea coming from the top, and not the same old tired attack ads.

Not a big fan of anyone running for office this election. Promises by politicians made during a election don't Kerry much weight after the election. But I hope I'm wrong about that.

I also have to wonder what that plan will cost us citizens in taxes, etc.

 

 

Had to do a double take ... Kerry??? ... then I realize that this was a post from the past. BTW ... remembering the 2003 Rally was worth the read.