Herald.com | Musicians ask show's audience to rock the vote

Herald.com 08/30/2004 Musicians ask show's audience to rock the vote: "Standing against a patriotic background, presenter Sean ''P. Diddy'' Combs, ''officially a resident of Miami Beach,'' scored a hotter reception. Combs, clutching a T-shirt bearing his Citizen Change motto, Vote or Die, urged fans to get to the polls Nov. 2. ``Twenty million young voters are going to decide who the next president is.''

Some say the energy level among artists embroiled in politics is unprecedented.

''Traditionally, artists have always looked at it as a responsibility to express their points of view . . . but I'm seeing a lot more interest from younger people at how this election comes out,'' said Paul Lazarus, director of film studies at the University of Miami.

Amy Lee of Evanescence said she thought the focus on the upcoming election was great, but that the audience showed poor taste during the appearance of the candidates' daughters. ``I thought it was really tacky to boo anyone you don't support. That sucks.''"


BY HOWARD COHEN