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Rock Band Combats Liberal Attacks on the National Anthem With This Patriotic ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ Video & Challenge

Nov. 11, 2012 3:04pm

Perhaps you’ve heard of Madison Rising – you know, the conservative, rock group that regularly touts patriotic lyrics, while also churning out entertaining and musically-stellar tunes. In June, the band, which embraces conservative values, ran a successful effort called the “One Million Star-Spangled Banner Challenge.” The goal? To convince 1 million people to watch the music video for the group’s rock version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Nov. 6 (election day).

The response, though, was so fierce that the band reached its goal seven weeks early, transcending the one million view marker two months ago. And in a fascinating bit of irony, in addition to hitting the benchmark early, Madison Rising surpassed its goal on September 14 — the 198th anniversary of the date Francis Scott Key wrote the original poem.

Now, the conservative rock band is tweaking its original plan and forging forward with a newly-refined goal: To encourage five million Americans to watch the re-energized version of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Madison Rising Creates Expanded Star Spangled Banner Challenge | Francis Scott Key

Madison Rising (Photo Credit: FILE)

Through the group’s new contest, Madison Rising hopes to inspire and educate a wider swath of the American public. The new goal has band members hoping to gain the aforementioned views by Independence Day next year.

“Take the NEW Challenge: Help Madison Rising reach 5 million views by July 4th of next year and let’s celebrate what being an American is all about!,” the band’s web site reads.

Since Madison Rising launched the first contest, the group has received inquiries from educators and others looking to bring its message of positivity and American values to children and adults, alike. The original challenge, like this one, was partially a response to liberal media figures’ attacks on the patriotic hymn.

“There’s something bigger at work here, and we plan to do everything we can to take advantage of it to continue to re-energize the National Anthem and make it the #1 best selling rock song in the country,” the band’s manager, Richard Mgrdechian, wrote in an e-mail to TheBlaze.

Be one of the five million and watch the band’s rock version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” below:

Madison Rising, which has made a name for itself as a talented group that embraces “liberty, independence, smaller government and personal responsibility.” Recently, the band completed a major Kickstarter campaign, raising over $50,000 for its follow-up record. For more about Madison Rising, visit the group’s official web site.

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Related:

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Comments (174)

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  • Nation2016
    Posted on November 11, 2012 at 4:36pm

    I have at least 5 versions of the Star Bangled Banner but this one tops them all… bought it after their first run for votes!!! Inspiring Video too! Well Done!

    Report this comment

    Nation2016  
  • thedirtmover
    Posted on November 11, 2012 at 4:25pm

    Good job. This rendition even brought a tear or two to this hardened construction worker’s eyes.

    Report this comment

    thedirtmover  
    • SaturdaysWarrior76
      Posted on November 11, 2012 at 4:31pm

      Then we FIGHT my friend, we never give up, we FIGHT until we win our country back!

      Report this comment

      SaturdaysWarrior76  
    • Female
      Posted on November 11, 2012 at 4:40pm

      Post it to Facebook!

      Report this comment

      Female  
    • oneshiner
      Posted on November 11, 2012 at 5:54pm

      Saturday’s warrior: Many of us felt sick after the election. I worked at a polling place and really thought Romney was going to win this thing.
      Was absolutely sick for several days when this nagging feeling came to me that everything’s actually going to turn out OK in the end. Just hope it’s a true gut feeling and not just wishful thinking.

      Report this comment

      oneshiner  
  • Keatonc333
    Posted on November 11, 2012 at 4:24pm

    God… this is awful

    Report this comment

    Keatonc333  
    • supertruckerdave
      Posted on November 11, 2012 at 4:54pm

      Sorry you think so. I happen to think this is awesome, as there are not many bands out there who will put it all on the line in the name of conservatism.

      Report this comment

      supertruckerdave  
    • Kupo
      Posted on November 11, 2012 at 5:14pm

      I have to agree and wonder if all of the hype is just a kneejerk reaction to a band that is actually conservative. The lead singer has a good voice, but the song is absolutely awful.

      Report this comment

      Kupo  
    • Vic Tory
      Posted on November 11, 2012 at 6:15pm

      I’m going to be kind and just politely disagree with you.
      This veteran loves it.

      Report this comment

      Vic Tory  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on November 11, 2012 at 6:24pm

      If you want awful; listen to Rosanne Barr’s rendition at the beginning of a game some years ago.

      Report this comment

      Stoic one  
    • DadRocked
      Posted on November 11, 2012 at 6:36pm

      This election has proven the diversity in the nation of OURS… It has also divided us further as those of us who have grown up, been to battle, come home and still have to fight for our nation believe that the battle continues.
      I, as so many others, could give a rats ass to any negativity of this great land and will stand for her as I had carrying a M-16 in a country that didn’t speak our language but believed in why were there…!
      Say what you want for you speak for the current tone, you will see the wrath of what is happening here.
      We do not stop and change our beliefs… We do not quit !
      GOD, FAMILY and COUNTRY… That’s what WE stand for !

      Report this comment

      DadRocked  
    • Kupo
      Posted on November 11, 2012 at 8:58pm

      Stoic One

      Oh, you’ll have no argument from me regarding Roseanne’s singing of the National Anthem. I don’t think it was mathematically possible for her singing to be any more off-key. And I do respect these Madison Rising guys for what they’re doing. I’m just not a fan of their music and think that their version of the Anthem is subpar.

      Report this comment

      Kupo  
    • Chunkyrhyno
      Posted on November 11, 2012 at 10:53pm

      Its the National Anthem sing it the way it was composed,,,,,,,its not “genre” music, lets just respect the original……Why not just write your own Patriotic song……I mean what’s next? a rap version, trash metal, raggae, punk, techno etc. cmon guys theres certain things we need to honor,,,this is one of them…..

      Report this comment

      Chunkyrhyno  
    • LIBSALWAYSLIE
      Posted on November 12, 2012 at 7:22am

      KEATON, clearly you are entitled to your own opinion, no matter how pathetic it is. Now its my turn. I love this version, its powerful, moving, and very well done. I’ve listened to it more than ten times and I’ve shared it with my friends, who all like it too.

      Report this comment

      LIBSALWAYSLIE  
    • CrismaFire
      Posted on November 12, 2012 at 8:27am

      Only way someone would not like this song would be that they don’t like America.

      Report this comment

      CrismaFire  
    • saranda
      Posted on November 12, 2012 at 11:49am

      @chrismafire – or perhaps you just like the anthem as written. Besides, they sampled the anthem they did not play it. I will check out their other music, but on this I happily pass.

      Report this comment

      saranda  
    • fdraiden
      Posted on November 12, 2012 at 11:49am

      I’m sure any version would be offensive to you!

      Report this comment

      fdraiden  
  • SaturdaysWarrior76
    Posted on November 11, 2012 at 4:22pm

    David Barton explains the story behind the writing of the Star Spangled Banner: (very inspiring!)

    http://youtu.be/zDKfw8nysLA

    Report this comment

    SaturdaysWarrior76  
  • ares338
    Posted on November 11, 2012 at 4:07pm

    I take a brief second here to remember my dad Joseph M Lancaster USMC and all service persons everywhere for their service and sacrifice and dads service in World War 2. Semper Fi dad.

    Report this comment

    ares338  
    • The Giver
      Posted on November 11, 2012 at 4:26pm

      I thank your dad with all my heart. May all veterans living and passed on to Glory, be remembered and that their sacrifice for a free America live in each and every one of us. Thank you brave men and women.

      Report this comment

      The Giver  
    • Ceefour
      Posted on November 11, 2012 at 4:35pm

      Amen,Brother

      Report this comment

      Ceefour  
    • CatB
      Posted on November 11, 2012 at 4:50pm

      Amen to your dad .. and all Thank YOU .. .Where I am in Florida we have a lot of vets .. and my son’s birthday is today .. we were HONORED to be at Applebee’s with all the fine veterans and active service members .. they were even standing “guard” at the door .. and I would like to thank .. my 5X’s Great Grandfather Joseph Willoughby of the Revolutionary War

      http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=WI&GSfn=j&GSpartial=1&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=49&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GSsr=321&GRid=17832052&df=all&

      Report this comment

      CatB  
    • loriann12
      Posted on November 11, 2012 at 6:04pm

      A dying generation, and the best, indeed. I sat down a couple years ago and had a conversation with a man who had been at Hiroshima just days after the bomb was dropped. He was involved in the “clean up” meaning removing dead bodies. I could tell it scarred him for life. But it was interesting swapping war stories with him, even though I was a peace time veteran.

      Report this comment

      loriann12  
    • spirited
      Posted on November 11, 2012 at 9:18pm

      @ARES338: Amen

      >…and He willl raise you up on Eagle’s wings…

      Report this comment

      spirited  
    • Hatchimon
      Posted on November 12, 2012 at 12:28am

      My step-dad, USAF (Ret.) William Collins III, Vietnam.

      Report this comment

      Hatchimon  
  • jackwall
    Posted on November 11, 2012 at 4:06pm

    this old army veteran Thanks you Madison Rising, the election of Socialist, if not out right Communist Obama has made a sad day for a lot of veterans. GOD BLESS YOU AND AMERICA

    Report this comment

    jackwall  
  • ag2ward
    Posted on November 11, 2012 at 3:55pm

    Great song. Well done. I purchased all of their songs, initially to support them, but as it turns out I like them all. This rendition ranks up there with Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art.

    Report this comment

    ag2ward  
  • smme1950
    Posted on November 11, 2012 at 3:48pm

    I love and respect our National Anthem and the story behind it.

    I am 62 years old and the Madison Rising rendition is my favorite. Have listened to it 50-100 times and love it when they go rock at “and the rockets red glare…” I still remember Jose Feliciano’s rendition at the 1968 World Series. Some people say any variation from the original is disrespectful. I think any rendition sung with respect and from the heart is fine. If you have watched the video you know Madison Rising is not being disrespectful but proclaiming a strong belief in the United States of America.

    I have never paid $10, $6.99 plus $2.99 s&h, for a single song but I did it gladly for this one.

    Report this comment

    smme1950  
    • rickc34
      Posted on November 11, 2012 at 3:59pm

      Rock in. Madison. My foot is on the rock and my name is on the roll.

      Report this comment

      rickc34  
    • AZindependent
      Posted on November 11, 2012 at 4:16pm

      Now if they would only sing all four verses to the song. Here is the fourth and final verse which I think Glenn Beck would enjoy talking about:

      O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
      Between their loved home and the war’s desolation.
      Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n rescued land
      Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
      Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
      And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
      And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
      O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

      source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Star-Spangled_Banner

      Report this comment

      AZindependent  
  • IMCHRISTIAN
    Posted on November 11, 2012 at 3:46pm

    Thank you, so much Veterans. Nice Tribute, Guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless America and those thanks to all that have fought for the freedom we have now and forever.

    Report this comment

    IMCHRISTIAN  
  • DadRocked
    Posted on November 11, 2012 at 3:40pm

    And this is THE NEXT GENERATION – regardless what everybody hears.

    As a ‘Nam Air Force vet, living in the D.C. area, I have the honor to hear how the next generation military thinks.
    I have the honor of hearing the 20 somethings talk in school… They are not all dummies and maroons.
    Forget about what we see on TV… Listen to them, at first you’ll think that they’re telling you what you want to hear…
    Be open minded for they are telling you what they believe is wrong with the direction ths country is going in…
    They have listened to their elders and have learned like we did…
    Things in life do skip a generation or two and the future looks blessed.

    Report this comment

    DadRocked  
  • ltdan
    Posted on November 11, 2012 at 3:40pm

    This is perhaps the most inspiring contemporary versions I’ve every heard. You guys rock.

    Report this comment

    ltdan  
  • bdandsl
    Posted on November 11, 2012 at 3:31pm

    Love these guys! God bless America! God bless our troops!

    Report this comment

    bdandsl  
  • mjgma
    Posted on November 11, 2012 at 3:28pm

    At the end of a long week when I was feeling hopeless and defeated, I needed this little reminder and glimmer of hope. Thank you!

    Report this comment

    mjgma  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on November 11, 2012 at 3:53pm

      MJGMA: I feel the same way. Just wanted to sit and bawl with the first glimmer of HOPE in the last 5 days listening to this National Anthem rendition. Thank you Madison Rising. This was just beautiful.

      (certainly nothing like that hateful old hag’s unpatriotic rendition, spitting and grabbing her crotch) then she actually has the nerve to run for President with her unpatriotic attitude toward what’s precious to most of us who Love America.

      Report this comment

      Bluebonnet  
    • Country-City_Girl
      Posted on November 11, 2012 at 9:30pm

      I so agree. I have been at a loss in the face of what looks like insurmountable adversity. It’s almost too much to bear. However, THIS song today showed me young people living with public passion, rocking out great music and showing a love of country and respect of our anthem that I so appreciate. I’m pretty picky about changes to tradition, but this is a good alternative to get people’s attention and get them fired up. God Bless Madison Rising. And thank you for a meaningful distraction from all the evil that is bubbling to the top of the news cycle every 5 minutes or so. Rock on and God Bless America! Please.

      Report this comment

      Country-City_Girl  
  • HappyGirl99
    Posted on November 11, 2012 at 3:27pm

    Awesome! Great video!
    My whole life I have loved this song and was PROUD to be an AMERICAN. But now all I feel is sadness for the loss of our American Republic, Constitution, Bill of Rights etc.

    Report this comment

    HappyGirl99  
  • DadRocked
    Posted on November 11, 2012 at 3:25pm

    They have that freshness like a Mannheim Steamroller has. Both are similar in that their styles differate with traditional but their music makes the same point.

    Report this comment

    DadRocked  
  • Steelhead
    Posted on November 11, 2012 at 3:24pm

    they should be called the con bats , the close cousin of the moon variety

    Report this comment

    Steelhead  
  • The_Almighty_Creestof
    Posted on November 11, 2012 at 3:24pm

    Outstanding!

    Report this comment

    The_Almighty_Creestof  
  • mcmueller
    Posted on November 11, 2012 at 3:22pm

    Good work, guys!

    And Conservatives, fear not ! We may have gotten our asses kicked in this election, but we are learning from our mistakes; We will come back from this, and people will come to us in droves after 2 more years of Obama and the Democrats, especially when the taxes rise and the economy slows down again. Yes, there will be hard times, but times haven’t gotten hard enough for people to see the light and make the right choices. Besides, we should be concentrating all of our attention right now on taing back the Senate in the next midterms in 2014. That will stop President Obama and his agenda quicker than waiting until 2016. So to the Republicans, Tea Partiers and everyone in between I say, our priority is to find leaders within our ranks who won’t make stupid remarks publicly, who will be vetted properly to insure their values are our values, and place them in a position to WIN THESE ELECTIONS……

    Keep the faith, we will win this war !!!!

    Report this comment

    mcmueller  
  • DEFCON4
    Posted on November 11, 2012 at 3:21pm

    Hey Blaze, Feeling a little patriotic?
    Does Madison Rising do any Veterans Day “covers”?…. hint-hint….
    …nudge..nudge….

    Report this comment

    DEFCON4  
  • Danny78
    Posted on November 11, 2012 at 3:21pm

    Well done. Can ya play the Marine Corps Hymn too?????

    Report this comment

    Danny78  
  • SaturdaysWarrior76
    Posted on November 11, 2012 at 3:19pm

    Love this version of the song and have it in my iTunes!

    Report this comment

    SaturdaysWarrior76  
  • AmericanLass
    Posted on November 11, 2012 at 3:18pm

    Wow wow wow, thanks guys.

    Report this comment

    AmericanLass  
  • cosette
    Posted on November 11, 2012 at 3:18pm

    I just went to their website and purchased their C.D. They are AWESOME. God bless them!

    Report this comment

    cosette  
    • TheCalmOne
      Posted on November 12, 2012 at 11:33am

      Selling records was of course the reason they recorded the song in the first place.

      Report this comment

      TheCalmOne  
  • Angel_light
    Posted on November 11, 2012 at 3:16pm

    I like their version of the song so much I bought it

    Report this comment

    Angel_light  
  • Ducky 1
    Posted on November 11, 2012 at 3:12pm

    Rock on for the USA !!

    Report this comment

    Ducky 1  
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