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HeadCount

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HeadCount
Founded2004; 20 years ago (2004)
FoundersAndy Bernstein, Marc Brownstein
FocusMusic and politics
civic engagement
voter registration
voter turnout
HeadquartersNew York, U.S.
Area served
United States
Executive Director
Lucille Winegamie
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata

HeadCount is a national nonprofit organization that works with musicians to promote participation in democracy in the United States. It is one of the largest voter registration organizations, having registered over 1.2 million voters since launching in 2004. HeadCount started off registering voters at concerts before expanding to sporting events, community events and online.[1][2]

Origins

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The organization was co-founded in 2004 by Marc Brownstein, bass player for the popular electronic rock band The Disco Biscuits, and his friend Andy Bernstein,[3] author of The Pharmer's Almanac, a series of books about Phish.

Since its inception, HeadCount has been largely volunteer-driven. It fields volunteer teams in most major U.S. cities. Each consists of a trained team leader who runs the local operations, and a cadre of volunteers. These teams then set up tables at concerts through which they register voters and disseminate information related to political issues and upcoming elections. This approach has allowed HeadCount to keep its operating costs low while reaching a very large number of people. In any given year, the organization sets up these tables at 500 to 1,500 concerts or more.[4]

As of 2014, it was also receiving support from more than 300 artists and celebrities tweeting out messages like #GoVote, some with the HeadCount logo.[3]

In 2019, the Board of Directors included Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir, Marc Brownstein and Peter Shapiro as the new chairman of the board.[5][6] Founder Andy Bernstein stepped down as executive director of the organization in 2023.[7]

HeadCount booth at Dave Matthews conference

Activities

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Some of HeadCount's higher-profile activity includes the release of public service announcements starring Jay-Z and Dave Matthews,[8] a compilation album featuring Pearl Jam, Wilco and Phish, and various activities involving board member Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead.

2024 elections

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I Am a Voter merged with HeadCount in 2024.[9] I Am a Voter started in 2018, and their first partnership after the merger was 'Register a Friend Day' on June 4.[9]

The Daily Show partnered with HeadCount to register voters while also promoting dog adoption.[10][11]

2022 midterms

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Harry Styles partnered with HeadCount to help register 54,000 voters ahead of the 2022 midterms.[12][13][14] Overall, HeadCount registered over 150,000 voters helped also by partnerships with Billie Eilish, Tinashe, Lizzo and others.[15][16]

2020 elections

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For the 2020 election, the organization registered roughly 400,000 voters, through its work with Ariana Grande, Spotify, YouTuber David Dobrik, and hundreds of other musicians, brands and partners.[17][18][19] Although HeadCount is largely known for its on-the-ground work registering voters at concerts, and is a mainstay at festivals like Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza, the Coronavirus pandemic did not stop the organization's momentum.[20] It partnered with entertainers who offered unique experiences which were raffled off for those who checked their registration.[21][22][23] It also partnered with American Eagle Outfitters to release t-shirts that promoted voting.[24]

HeadCount tent at Phish concert

2018 midterms

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For the midterm elections in 2018, HeadCount also rolled out a campaign called "The Future is Voting" featuring a get-out-the-vote tour in college towns.[25] Earlier that year, HeadCount ran the voter registration efforts for March for Our Lives, the organization created by students from Parkland, FL after the mass shooting at their high school.[26][27][28][29] They also teamed-up with Penguin Random House to promote voter registration in bookstores.[30]

National Voter Registration Day

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HeadCount is a founder of National Voter Registration Day and stages a massive social media campaign around it each year. The campaign has featured hundreds of musicians and entertainers posting "Register to Vote" photos on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, with a link to an online voter registration form. Participants included Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, Fergie, Russell Simmons and The Black Keys.[31][32][33][34]

Public Service Announcements

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In 2016 HeadCount partnered with music streaming service Spotify to help music fans vote. American Spotify users received a message from President Barack Obama directing them to HeadCount.org for voter information.[35][36]

HeadCount registers voters at concerts[37][38] and sporting events.[1] HeadCount also partnered with Ben & Jerry's to hand out free ice cream on a Phish tour to fans that registered or pledged to vote.[39]

Participation Row

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HeadCount manages Participation Row activism villages at various music festivals including Lockn' (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) in Arrington, VA, True Music (2013) in Scottsdale, AZ, Phases of the Moon (2014) in Danville, IL, FloydFest (2016) near Floyd, VA the Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival in Okeechobee, FL, The Traveler's Rest Festival in Montana, and Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island.

Each Participation Row has also included a silent auction of signed merchandise, with proceeds going to the participating non-profits. At the Fare Thee Well shows, the Participation Row silent auction included a D'Angelico EX-DC electric guitar signed by all 7 performers and played by Bob Weir on stage during the second Santa Clara show. The auction for the guitar closed at $526,000,[40] making it the 20th most expensive guitar of all time.[41] For Dead & Company's 2023 Final Tour, ten unique D'Angelico guitars designed by AJ Masthay will be auctioned. Proceeds benefit both HeadCount as well as environmental activist group REVERB.[42]

#SoundOff

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Beyond concerts, HeadCount has a large presence on the Internet. Its blog features updates on "music, politics and everything in between,"[43] and it launched a platform called #SoundOff (www.SoundOffatCongress.org) for tweeting directly at members of Congress.[44]

Webcast

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In early 2012 HeadCount conceived and produced "The Bridge Session" a live performance from Bob Weir's TRI Studios featuring Weir, members of the National and various other guests.[45][46][47] A live webcast on Yahoo! also featured a roundtable political discussion.[48] The collaborations in that session led to Day of the Dead and Blue Mountain.[49][50][51][52]

Capitol Community program

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The non-profit also runs the "Capitol Community" program for the Capitol Theatre (Port Chester, New York), which sends school teachers to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum for curriculum training.[53][54][55][56]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Myers, David (August 30, 2022). "HeadCount uses sports, concerts to register new voters - The Fulcrum". thefulcrum.us. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  2. ^ Dubel, Logan (October 15, 2023). "Headcount sets up voter registration operation at ACL". The Daily Texan. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  3. ^ a b Fuller, Jaime (2021-11-26). "Want to get young people registered to vote? Go to concerts. Lots of them". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  4. ^ Singer, Paul (September 14, 2014). "Students seek out voters at rock shows". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  5. ^ Bernstein, Jonathan (2019-07-08). "For a Upstart Voter Non-Profit, a New Chairman Leads the Way". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  6. ^ Variety Staff (2019-07-08). "Peter Shapiro Named Chair of HeadCount Board of Directors". Variety. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  7. ^ Mims, Taylor (2023-05-01). "HeadCount Launches Search for New Executive Director, Founder Andy Bernstein to Step Down". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  8. ^ Vote Again 2010. Jay-Z, Dave Matthews and Headcount.org. 2010.
  9. ^ a b Donnelly, Matt (2024-05-02). "Celebrity-Backed Nonprofits I Am a Voter, HeadCount Merge Ahead of 2024 Election". Variety. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  10. ^ Kurtz, Judy (2024-06-17). "'Daily Show' unleashes dog adoption and voter registration effort". The Hill. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  11. ^ Ortiz, Andi (2024-06-17). "'The Daily Show' Launches New Initiative to Register Voters and Get Animals Adopted | Exclusive". TheWrap. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  12. ^ Paul, Larisha (2022-10-31). "Harry Styles Helped Register Over 54,000 New Voters Ahead of Midterm Elections". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  13. ^ Vasquez, Ingrid (November 1, 2022). "Harry Styles Helps 54K Americans Register to Vote Before Midterm Elections". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  14. ^ Rowley, Glenn (2022-10-31). "Harry Styles Helped Register Tens of Thousands of Fans to Vote Ahead of the 2022 Midterm Elections". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  15. ^ Aswad, Jem (2022-10-10). "With Support From Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, Tinashe and More, HeadCount Registers More Than 150,000 Voters as Midterms Heat Up". Variety. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  16. ^ Aswad, Jem (2022-09-09). "Lizzo Joins Forces With HeadCount to Promote Voter Registration at Her Concerts". Variety. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  17. ^ Kaufman, Gil (2019-12-20). "Ariana Grande Breaks HeadCount Voter Registration Record: 'Thank U So Much for Investing in Our Future'". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  18. ^ Paul, Larisha (2022-10-10). "Billie Eilish, Harry Styles, Ariana Grande Helped Register 150,000 Voters Ahead of Midterms". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  19. ^ Bird, Jen (2020-08-05). "Evanescence and HeadCount Launch PSA & Campaign to promote Voter Registration & Easy Access to Voting • Red Light Management". Red Light Management. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  20. ^ Starling, Nick (2020-09-13). "Voting group taps Boulevard Brewery as site for election booth". KSHB 41 Kansas City News. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  21. ^ Hale, James (2020-09-21). "YouTube Creators Are Taking A New Approach To Make Sure Their Fans Are 'Good To Vote.' And It's Working". Tubefilter. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  22. ^ Baltin, Steve (March 16, 2024). "Opinion: How HeadCount Has Teamed With Billie Eilish, More To Register Voters". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  23. ^ Klar, Rebecca (2020-09-08). "Opinion: Celebrities offer exclusive experiences in campaign to mobilize young voters". The Hill. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  24. ^ McDonald, Samantha (2020-09-11). "How American Eagle Is Getting Out the Vote This Election Year". Footwear News. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  25. ^ Aniftos, Rania (2018-09-20). "Jim James Announces 'The Future Is Voting' Tour in Collaboration With HeadCount". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  26. ^ O'Brien, Andrew (2018-05-30). "HeadCount Teams With Parkland Students & March For Our Lives For Dead & Co Tour Participation Row". L4LM. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  27. ^ Diaz, Johnny (2018-09-06). "Parkland students featured in new get out the vote video". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  28. ^ Willingham, A. J. (2018-03-26). "Thousands of new voters signed up during the March for Our Lives". CNN. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  29. ^ McCausland, Phil (2018-03-25). "Thousands register to vote at March for Our Lives demonstrations". NBC News. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  30. ^ Reid, Calvin (August 31, 2018). "PRH, HeadCount Team to Launch Book the Vote". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  31. ^ Aswad, Jem (2020-09-21). "Dave Matthews Band, HeadCount Rally Music World Around National Voter Registration Day Tuesday". Variety. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  32. ^ Dailey, Hannah (2022-09-20). "Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift & More Musicians Encourage Fans to Register to Vote for Midterm Elections". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  33. ^ Grubbs, Eric (September 25, 2018). "HeadCount Will Target Concertgoers on National Voter Registration Day". Dallas Observer. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  34. ^ Kreps, Daniel (2014-09-23). "Pearl Jam, Jeff Tweedy Help Kick Off Voter Registration Day". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  35. ^ Naomi (2020-09-09). "Spotify Encourages Eligible U.S. Voters to 'Play Your Part' by Registering for and Voting in the 2020 Election". Spotify. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  36. ^ "Obama Interrupting Everybody's Spotify Listening Today with Reminder to Vote". Pitchfork. 7 November 2016.
  37. ^ Fry, Naomi (2018-06-18). "Voter Registration on the, Like, Festival Circuit". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  38. ^ "Vans Warped Tour Goes Back To Basics in it's [sic] 22nd Year, Founder Kevin Lyman Talks About the Festival's History and What's in Store for 2016". HuffPost. 22 June 2016.
  39. ^ Parker, Ashley (2010-10-25). "Motivating Music Fans to Vote". The Caucus. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  40. ^ Petronzio, Matt (2015-07-07). "Guitar signed by Grateful Dead raises $526,000 for charity". Mashable. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  41. ^ Neal (2024-02-10). "48 Most Expensive Guitars Ever Sold At Auction!". LeftyFretz. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  42. ^ Sissler, James (2023-05-18). "Dead & Company Team Up With HeadCount & REVERB For Charity Guitar Auction". L4LM. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  43. ^ "HeadCount Case Study | Impactive | All-in-One Digital Organizing Suite". www.impactive.io. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  44. ^ Andrew Salmon (2014-03-29). "Musicians: Don't Get Penalized. Sign Up for Healthcare by March 31". guitarworld. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  45. ^ "HeadCount's The Bridge Session: Bob Weir and Members of The National in Motion". Relix Media. 2012-03-29. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  46. ^ Bernstein, Scott (2012-03-25). "Bob Weir Goes Indie - Headcount's The Bridge Session". Glide Magazine. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  47. ^ Eisen, Benjy (2012-03-25). "Members of Grateful Dead, the National Perform 'Bridge Session' Webcast". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  48. ^ "Voter Reg Drives On Summer Tours For DMB, Wilco, Phish, Furthur". JamBase. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  49. ^ "The official website for independent record label 4AD". 4AD. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  50. ^ "Behind The Scene: Mollie Farrell on HeadCount's Artist Initiatives and Online Voting Hub". Relix Media. 2020-10-30. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  51. ^ "Articles | Grateful Web". www.gratefulweb.com. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  52. ^ "Bob Weir Receives Key To Austin Ahead Of Moody Theater Run Opener". JamBase. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  53. ^ Aswad, Jem (2021-11-16). "Jackson Browne, Jorma Kaukonen, More to Headline Headcount Benefit". Variety. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  54. ^ "Larry Campbell, Jackson Browne, Jorma Kaukonen Lead Lineup For HeadCount Benefit At Capitol Theatre - Pollstar News". news.pollstar.com. 2021-11-16. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  55. ^ "School's not out for summer at Rock Hall of Fame". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  56. ^ "Westchester Teachers Win Rock n' Roll HOF Music Training from The Cap, HeadCount". Yorktown-Somers, NY Patch. 2014-08-05. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
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