Showbiz411

The hunt is on for entertainers to perform at the Republican Convention in Tampa and the Democratic Convention in Charlotte. So far, insiders tell me Republicans are paying top dollar to anyone who’ll come down there. Some may actually be liberal leaning acts, but are taking the money from private party givers instead of from official Republican Party organizers.

So far the Republicans will have the Midnight Rider himself, Greg Allman, of the Allman Brothers- said to be getting upwards of $100,000 for one show– as well as Journey, Kid Rock, Big Head Todd, Blues Traveler, Robert Earl Keen, Drive by Truckers, and Better Than Ezra. The Democrats have so far only secured The Roots and will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas. But certainly more names will be added soon.

Greg Allman and the Allman Brothers Band previously supported fellow Georgian Jimmy Carter for president. See this clip from Conan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvtP3rbr5ps

Meantime, check out these sponsorship packages being offered to corporate entities from the Republicans for their events:

Roger Friedman

Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News. Friedman previously wrote the Intelligencer column at New York Magazine, He writes for Parade magazine and has written for Details, Vogue, the New York Times, Post, and Daily News and many other publications. He is the writer and co-producer of a film about R&B Music called “Only the Strong Survive,” which was released by Miramax in 2003 and was a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals.