Republicans And Democrats Agree Progressive Rock Band "Yes" Should Be Inducted Into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- It's the beginning of the only known bi-partisan effort in Washington DC. Voices for Yes (VFY) is an independent group comprised of well-known Republicans and Democrats consultants that today announced it will embark on an effort to get the legendary, influential progressive rock band "Yes" inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

While this campaign is unique for many reasons, perhaps most notable is that "Voices for Yes" has been able to unite two groups – Republicans and Democrats, who are notorious worldwide for never agreeing on anything – in a common effort.  Also assisting their efforts on an advisory basis will be a number of members from the news media.

"Voices for Yes" plans to employ traditional political campaign tools and tactics to mount a national grassroots and media campaign to make the case for Yes being added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  The group will work to create a narrative that explains why Yes deserves induction into the Hall by highlighting the depth of influence Yes's music has had on the music industry and other artists – some of whom have already been inducted into the Hall. There will also be a comprehensive media effort to engage Yes fans all over the world to let their voice be heard. Supporters are encouraged to visit the website voicesforyes.com and sign a petition supporting Yes' induction into the Hall – like us on Facebook – and follow us on Twitter @VoicesforYes.

In addition, "Voices for Yes" will chronicle the effort with a documentary.  It will provide the viewer an unprecedented behind the scenes look into the campaign – complete with footage from Yes concerts, closed door meetings with consultants, strategy sessions and countless interviews with fans, concert goers and some of Rock's greatest legends. Filming started last Saturday at the band's Yestival in Camden, New Jersey and will continue chronicling the efforts of "Voices for Yes" throughout the summer.

Led by the architects of Presidential campaigns, Republican John Brabender and Democrat Tad Devine will lead the team to apply political campaign tactics to this effort.  

John Brabender is the Chief Creative Officer at BrabenderCox and Senior Media Strategist for the Santorum Campaign.  He said, "Initially when we developed the concept, we discovered that Yes' music has been greatly influential to other musicians and in a bizarre twist, their music is revered by many politicians.  In fact, we were excited at how quickly the two political parties could put policy disputes aside for this common goal. Republicans and Democrats actually agree on something: that Yes is one of the most influential progressive rock bands ever – and ultimately ensure Yes gets rightful place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame."

Tad Devine oversaw presidential runs for John Kerry in 2004 and Al Gore in 2000.  He said, "So often, the best political consultants are on opposite sides of the issues.  But what's so great here is that Republican and Democrat consultants are working together and ensure Yes gets into the Hall. But we know a few consultants won't be able to sway the Hall voters to induct Yes, so we are embarking on a national campaign to move numbers to Yes' favor.  The collective campaign efforts of politicians, politicos, journalists, musicians and fans are what make this endeavor interesting and hopefully successful in the end."

Serving in an advisory capacity will be Steve Capus, the former president of NBC News. Capus, who attended his first Yes concert in 1978, enthusiastically supports the goal of Yes being enshrined in the Hall of Fame. 

Other noteworthy advisors include: Sara Taylor Fagan, former White House Political Director under President George W. Bush and Steven Sullivan with forgotten-yesterdays.com. A full list of the more than 20 consultants and advisors who will be part of the campaign team will soon be released.

About Yes
Yes is one of the most popular and critically acclaimed bands in the history of progressive rock.  The band has influenced the likes of Led Zeppelin, Pearl Jam and – recent Hall of Fame inductee "Rush" – that credits Yes for greatly influencing and inspiring their music.  In Yes' 45 years of existence, they have had nine of their twenty studio albums reach the Top Ten, and have sold 13.5 million units in the United States alone.

Yes' music has always been described as fresh, innovative, intricate, and truly progressive, and their musicians have been celebrated as some of the most masterful in the world. Yes guitarist Steve Howe was named "Best Overall Guitarist" five consecutive times by "Guitar Player Magazine."

Yes is presently on tour in the U.S., and will be touring in the UK next year.

SOURCE Voices for Yes