Headcount.org

One of the latest prints I did was for the organization Headcount.org. Headcount.org is a non-partisan organization that registers voters at music festivals and concert events throughout the year. I caught Andy Bernstein, Headcount.org's founder, just after returning from Rothbury Music Festival. "We registered 764 voters at Rothbury, which is our second best festival since Bonnaroo, where we registered 1,145.", says Bernstein.

I asked Andy when he decided to start the organization. "I remember a moment when I was getting really angry after watching some news and I thought to myself; I have to do something instead of just getting mad" That's when he came up with the idea of signing up concert attendees to vote. "This is something I could do", says Bernstein who is a lifelong music fan. "I got in touch with my friend Marc Brownstein from The Disco Biscuits, who helped me get Headcount.org started in 2004"

"I really didn't know anything about registering people to vote before this", admits Bernstein. "I'd say 85% of the research for the organization was done ourselves". We get some pro-bono legal help and also get a lot of help from Fair Elections Legal Network", he continues. "We also have about 2,000 very dedicated volunteers, 100 of which are very active!" He goes on to tell me about how much respect and love he has for the generous volunteers. "The youth vote is the swing vote", he tells me. The volunteers register people from the major political parties as well as independents. "We are on tour with Pearl Jam, John Mayer and Jack Johnson this year", says Bernstein. "These bands give us access to many more rock and roll fans who may not be yet registered to vote"`

Rock The Earth

My newest print is a 500 run four-color piece I am doing to raise money for RockTheEarth.org. The image is supposed to harken back to inspirational posters from the seventies ("Hang in there, baby"), but with a darker tone. With half the oil resources of the earth already burned, what will we do with all those barrels we can no longer fill?


Rock The Earth is a not-for-profit organization which informs concert-goers about environmental problems and solutions. "Rock the Earth works closely with the music industry and its fans, many of whom are concerned with the fate of our public lands, air and water. We act as advocates to ensure the existence of a sustainable and healthy environment for all."

I spoke with one of Rock the Earth's founders, Marc Ross. He describes the four year old non-profit organization as, "a Sierra Club for the rock industry." Rock the Earth strives to connect with audiences of between 1.2 and 2 million concert attendees a year, and teams up with a wide variety of musicians to spread the word of environmental awareness.

One recent issue Rock The Earth has been involved with is an expansion of a uranium mine near Crawford, Nebraska. Based on information on the Rock the Earth website, the mine's expansion by owner/operator Cameco impacts the water and threatens the health of local residents. The people affected included members of the Ogala and Lakota Sioux Tribes. The decision to expand the mine was decided without the participation of the local people. Funds garnered by Rock The Earth helped the local Native Americans to petition the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for their place at the meetings about the mine expansion. On April 29, 2008, the NRC agreed with the local area residents to be participants in the meetings between the NRC and Cameco. Although this is a small step and by no means stops companies like Cameco, the Native American tribes have created a first line of defense against the leaching of yellow cake uranium into our greater environment. More information about this story is here.

Bob Frankel connected me with Rock the Earth; I first met Bob when he worked at Living Tree Paper Company, and now he is active in the organization's fund raising efforts. He is a poster enthusiast and he has always been very encouraging about my work. Thanks, Bob, for introducing me to this opportunity and this organization; I am proud to contribute to the effort.

Live action! Below is a video of me printing the poster on my Washington iron hand press, circa. 1890's. Thanks for supporting my artwork, and this worthy cause!