Comparing performers at the DNC and RNC, from Stevie Wonder to Kid Rock

This summer, several musicians have popped up in Milwaukee and Chicago arenas to not only perform but also lend their presidential endorsements at the Republican and Democratic national conventions.
Lee Greenwood sang “God Bless The USA” as former President Donald Trump walked out on the RNC stage last month, and Kid Rock also introduced the Republican presidential candidate. Stevie Wonder, John Legend, The Chicks and Pink are among the musicians who have played live at the DNC in Chicago.
This week, Mickey Guyton kicked off as the DNC’s first musical performance on Monday, then Lil Jon made a surprise appearance during DNC’s roll call on Tuesday to briefly perform “Turn Down for What” and a political remix of “Get Low.” On Wednesday, Wonder delivered a rousing speech before taking to the piano for a performance of “Higher Ground.”
As the convention came to a close Thursday, The Chicks harmonized as a trio to deliver the national anthem before Pink arrived on stage in a toned-down performance, singing an acoustic version of “What About Us” ahead of Democratic nominee Kamala Harris’ speech.
Both conventions, whose purpose is to select the respective political parties’ presidential nominees, took on different musical tones via their playlists and live performances. Here’s a roundup of everyone who has taken the stage at the DNC and the RNC.
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Here’s who has performed at the DNC:
James Taylor was scheduled to take the stage Tuesday, but his performance was scrapped due to timing.
“It became clear, as the evening unfolded, that there wouldn’t be time for our ‘You’ve Got a Friend’ with cello and voices. Maybe the organizers couldn’t anticipate the wild response from the floor of the United Center,” Taylor wrote, in part, in an Instagram post. “Anyway, sorry to disappoint.”
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On the fourth and final night of the DNC, Pink put aside the bright colors and theatrics of her Summer Carnival Tour and shared the stage her 13-year-old daughter Willow and a group of backup singers in coordinating black outfits.
The quintet sang a moving rendition of her 2017 single “What About Us” with just a guitar accompaniment.
The superstar released her ninth studio album “Trustfall” last year, has been traversing the globe for over a year with her Summer Carnival Tour. She recently wrapped the European leg of the tour and embarked on her North American “homecoming” shows earlier this month.
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As the fourth day was underway, Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer came out on stage to perform the national anthem two hours before Harris delivered her final speech to officially accept the Democratic presidential nomination.
While Maines and Strayer wore all-black outfits, Maguire was in a taupe blazer dress adorned with gold stars.
The Grammy-winning country singers, who drew ire from the industry and country music fans after criticizing President George W. Bush and his administration’s invasion of Iraq in 2003, also performed at the virtual 2020 DNC.
John Legend and Sheila E. headlined an energetic opener for Kamala Harris’ running mate Tim Walz, who officially accepted the Democratic party’s vice presidential nomination Wednesday.
The performance paid tribute to one of the most iconic singers from Walz’s home state of Minnesota: Prince. Legend, wearing a sparkly white blazer, sang “Let’s Go Crazy” from 1984’s “Purple Rain” and played a standup piano as Sheila E., donning a white wrap dress, accompanied him on the drums.
Sheila, a frequent collaborator of Prince’s, later stepped away to duet with Legend.
In an interview with “CBS Mornings,” which aired the morning of the performance, Legend opened up about his support for Harris and Walz to Tony Dokoupil.
“You can tell from the policy pronouncements that Vice President Harris put out last week talking about the economy, she’s not doing that for me. She’s doing that for everyday Americans,” he said. “And that’s what she needs to keep her eye on and keep her ear to, is the concerns of everyday Americans.”
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Maren Morris, who started in country music but has since distanced herself from the “toxic parts” of the industry, performed her 2020 song “Better Than We Found It” on Wednesday. At the time of its release, Morris called it a “protest song,” which had an accompanying music video that touched on the Black Lives Matter movement and immigration.
“I am honored to be performing at the Democratic National Convention for the first time ever. It’s a moment where we, as a country, can come together and hear rational plans for the future of women’s and LGBTQ rights,” she said in a statement to The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. “We can be inspired by people’s stories and navigate a safe path forward for our children.”
Morris recently told USA TODAY she will “definitely support Kamala any way I can.”
“I campaigned for Biden and have met Kamala, and she’s a badass. I feel invigorated to vote. Living in Tennessee, it feels more impactful to have that say,” she said.
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On Wednesday, Stevie Wonder addressed the DNC audience from the podium with a rousing speech that encouraged peace and kindness.
“As we stand between history’s pain and tomorrow’s promises, we must choose courage over complacency. It is time to get up and go vote!” he said.
“We must choose to be above the ugly words, the hateful anger and the division those words and anger create. We must keep on keeping on until we truly are a united people of these United States. And then we will reach our higher ground.”
“Are you ready, because you know we need Kamala Harris. Yes, we do,” he continued. “And we need a great man that we do have as our future vice president.”
He then stepped over to the keyboard to perform his 1973 hit “Higher Ground” with a full band and dancers, who were all dressed in white.
During the DNC’s roll call on Tuesday, Lil Jon represented Georgia’s delegates, who cast their votes for Harris, with a surprise performance of “Turn Down for What” and “Get Low.”
The rapper, wearing a teal satin vest and slacks, made his way through the crowds, occasionally high-fiving audience members. As he arrived at Georgia’s section, he encouraged everyone to chant, “We’re not going back.”
“VP Harris, Governor Walz,” he yelled out as the medley transitioned to “Get Low.”
The DNC’s in memoriam on Tuesday played to the tune of “Godmother of Soul” Patti LaBelle’s “You Are My Friend.” Donning an ivory dress with black lace, the R&B songstress effortlessly reached all of the song’s high notes.
“God bless America and Kamala Harris,” LaBelle said as she closed out the track.
One of Chicago’s own — actor and Grammy, Emmy and Oscar winner Common — rapped with gospel singer Jonathan McReynolds on Tuesday.
“I thank God for this moment in time where Kamala Harris will change the world for the better with love, hope and grace. We fortunate,” Common said as he launched into his new track “Fortunate.”
Alabama-born singer-songwriter Jason Isbell, donning a navy-blue suit over a white button-down, performed “Something More Than Free” off his 2015 album of the same name.
Before taking the stage, Isbell explained his song choice was inspired by thinking of “the entirety of the party” in an interview with the New York Times.
“I remember seeing back home in Alabama, people would have trailers with cars on blocks, and clearly, people that weren’t doing very well financially, and they had signs in their yard for (George W. Bush). And I remember thinking, a lot of these folks don’t even realize that they’re acting against their own best interests,” he said.
“And if we could just convince Americans of what their own best interests are, we wouldn’t have to ask them to be anything other than selfish. It’s like, please vote selfishly, because you’re going to wind up voting for a Democrat, unless you’re part of the top 1 percent of earners. And so I chose this song really sort of with those folks in mind.”
Grammy-nominated country singer Mickey Guyton was the DNC’s first performer. She took the stage with the track “All American” from her debut studio album “Remember Her Name.”
In 2020, Guyton made history with “Black Like Me” as the first Black female solo artist to be nominated in a country category at the Grammys.
“It’s so inspiring to see someone who is not only exceptionally smart, but also happens to look like me, running for the highest office in our country,” Guyton told CNN of her participation at the DNC. Harris “represents so much to so many and I just think it’s incredible. I never thought I would see a woman be president in my lifetime and now it seems attainable.”
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On the third day, Kid Rock introduced Trump to the stage with a version of “American Bad Ass” that incorporated lyrics about the former president.
“He became a friend of mine over the last ten years and he’s amazing, everyone loves him,” Trump said during his convention speech.
Lee Greenwood made several musical appearances at the RNC. On the first and fourth days, the country singer-songwriter introduced Trump and played him onto the stage with “God Bless The USA.”
“You will not take this man down. He has the courage, the strength and he will be the next President of the United States,” Greenwood said.
Country singer Chris Janson, who also performed at the 2016 RNC, played “All American Guy” on the first night.