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'''Krista Branch''' (born: '''Krista Gay Weston''', c. 1981.) is an [[American]] singer. She was contestant on the [[American Idol (season 7)|seventh season]] of ''[[American Idol]]'' but was eliminated in early rounds. Her music career gained traction when her song "I Am America" was noticed by figures within the conservative media and adopted as an unofficial anthem of the [[Tea Party movement]] in recent American politics. Her music is firmly in the American [[rock music]] idiom and emphasizes Christian and patriotic themes including the doctrine of [[American exceptionalism]].<ref name="nyt">{{cite news|title=Song Adopted by Cain’s Campaign Also Aims to Be a Tea Party Anthem|publisher=[[The New York Times]]|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/17/us/politics/krista-branchs-i-am-america-aims-to-be-tea-party-anthem.html?pagewanted=all|date=2011-10-16|accessdate=2011-10-28|first=Edward|last=Wyatt}}</ref> Her music has become popular within the american conservative community and was used by 2012 Republican presidential candidates, [[Herman Cain]] and [[Rick Santorum]].<ref name=Slate>{{cite news|last=Weigel|first=David|title=The Rick Santorum Theme Song, Brought to You by the Author of the Herman Cain Theme Song|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2012/03/15/the_rick_santorum_theme_song_brought_to_you_by_the_author_of_the_herman_cain_theme_song.html|accessdate=March 19, 2012|newspaper=[[Slate (magazine)]]|date=March 15, 2012}}</ref> Branch has released nine singles and an [[extended play|EP]] on [[iTunes]], and is working on her debut album for release in 2013
'''Krista Branch''' (born: '''Krista Gay Weston''', c. 1981.) is an [[American]] singer. She was contestant on the [[American Idol (season 7)|seventh season]] of ''[[American Idol]]'' but was eliminated in early rounds. Her music career gained traction when her song "I Am America" was noticed by figures within the conservative media and adopted as an unofficial anthem of the [[Tea Party movement]] in recent American politics. Her music is firmly in the American [[rock music]] idiom and emphasizes Christian and patriotic themes including the doctrine of [[American exceptionalism]].<ref name="nyt">{{cite news|title=Song Adopted by Cain’s Campaign Also Aims to Be a Tea Party Anthem|publisher=[[The New York Times]]|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/17/us/politics/krista-branchs-i-am-america-aims-to-be-tea-party-anthem.html?pagewanted=all|date=2011-10-16|accessdate=2011-10-28|first=Edward|last=Wyatt}}</ref> Her music has become popular within the american conservative community and was used by the campaigns of [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[United States presidential election, 2012|presidential candidates]], [[Herman Cain]] and [[Rick Santorum]] during the [[Republican Party presidential primaries, 2012|2012 primaries]]<ref name=Slate>{{cite news|last=Weigel|first=David|title=The Rick Santorum Theme Song, Brought to You by the Author of the Herman Cain Theme Song|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2012/03/15/the_rick_santorum_theme_song_brought_to_you_by_the_author_of_the_herman_cain_theme_song.html|accessdate=March 19, 2012|newspaper=[[Slate (magazine)]]|date=March 15, 2012}}</ref> Branch has released nine singles and an [[extended play|EP]] on [[iTunes]], and is working on her debut album for release in 2013


==Biography==
==Biography==

Revision as of 23:40, 19 July 2012

Krista Branch
Krista Branch performing at a rally for presidential candidate Herman Cain in Cookeville, Tennessee.
Krista Branch performing at a rally for presidential candidate Herman Cain in Cookeville, Tennessee.
Background information
Born1981
Mount Pleasant, Texas, United States
GenresRock
OccupationVocalist
Years active2010 – present
WebsiteOfficial website

Krista Branch (born: Krista Gay Weston, c. 1981.) is an American singer. She was contestant on the seventh season of American Idol but was eliminated in early rounds. Her music career gained traction when her song "I Am America" was noticed by figures within the conservative media and adopted as an unofficial anthem of the Tea Party movement in recent American politics. Her music is firmly in the American rock music idiom and emphasizes Christian and patriotic themes including the doctrine of American exceptionalism.[1] Her music has become popular within the american conservative community and was used by the campaigns of Republican presidential candidates, Herman Cain and Rick Santorum during the 2012 primaries[2] Branch has released nine singles and an EP on iTunes, and is working on her debut album for release in 2013

Biography

Early life

Branch was born in Mount Pleasant in East Texas, and began singing in her youth at church along with her four siblings. She also lived in Oklahoma for part of her childhood.[1] Branch moved out of Texas with her family at the age of 14, but remained proud of her Texas heritage.[3]

Career

While living in Bixby, Oklahoma, Branch auditioned for the seventh season of American Idol and was chosen by the judges to move on to the preliminary round in Hollywood. Footage of her performance was not included on the show, but she appeared in a montage at the end of the episode.[4] A week later she was eliminated from the competition. Branch told The New York Times her decision to enter the contest was not due to a desire to "be somebody", but because she felt she should take any opportunity with the belief that God would bless her efforts.[1]

Two years later, Branch released her first successful single, "I Am America", on YouTube.[5] Her husband, Michael Branch, wrote the song partly in response to criticism of the Tea Party protests from Democrats, while also drawing on his own difficulties in life.[1] In an interview for Billy Kelly of the Washington Times' Tea Party Report, Branch told how soon after her husband wrote the song he had her quickly learn the lyrics and then recorded her performing the song.[6] She originally felt the song was too confrontational for her, but decided the message was so important that she should record the song.[3] In the music video, footage of Tea Party rallies is interspersed with scenes of Branch singing on a sound stage and kids holding signs containing political messages and scripture.[7] "I Am America" was played on the July 7, 2010, broadcast of Glenn Beck's radio show and a week later Fox News host Bill O'Reilly devoted a portion of his “Pinheads and Patriots” segment to the song, saying that "for honoring legitimate protest" Branch was a patriot.[5][7] About 21 days after being uploaded the video had nearly 475,000 views. "I Am America" soon became a popular song with the Tea Party movement and has been described as the movement's anthem.[5][6] The New York Times described Branch as having a "dynamic presence" on stage when singing the song.[1]

Glenn Beck played another Krista Branch song titled "Remember Who We Are" on his radio program early in August 2010 and the song was featured in a video from Branch promoting Beck's Restoring Honor rally.[8][9] The lyrics for "Remember Who We Are" contain a mixture of defiant metaphors with a Christian rock style of music.[10] Branch's husband said he wrote the song to "remind us of who Americans are in the wake of the most trying of times." He stated that Americans stand up and come together in the face of adversity, saying he prayed the song would bring people hope.[11] Calling it an "inspiring patriotic song", the video for the song was made the "Video of the Day" on Glenn Beck's site on September 3, 2010.[12]

Her first EP I Am America was released on the same day and included that song as well as "I Am America" and "Foreign Land", a song about departed American soldiers. Jeremiah Holdsworth of IndieVision felt the songs were strong, noting their patriotic themes and subtle religious subtext, and said the song "Foreign Land" particularly moved him.[13] Branch released a new single on August 22, 2011, called "Lead Me On", a cover of an Amy Grant song.[14] The song was described as pro-Israel with a corresponding music video containing imagery related to the history of the Jewish people, including a prominent emphasis on the Holocaust.[15]

In addition to her performances in the United States, Branch has performed for teens in Guatemala and Slovakia.[6] She performed at the 2011 Sunbelt Ag Expo in conjunction with the American Bible Society, singing patriotic songs to support American soldiers and performing the national anthem for the Expo.[16][17] Branch regularly performs with Oklahoma jazz saxophonist Grady Nichols.[5] She is working on her debut album, which is scheduled to be released in early 2013.[6]

2012 Republican presidential primaries

Branch's music has gained prominence as a result of its use during the 2012 Republican presidential primary.[3] When she was performing "I Am America" at events across the country, Herman Cain was often the keynote speaker. Branch and her husband came to appreciate his political views and her husband signed on with Cain's campaign. "I Am America" was later adopted by the candidate as his campaign's official theme.[3] Cain said when interviewed about the song, "The first time I heard that song, the message was so right-on I felt goose bumps just listening to it."[1] The song was later described by the National Journal as having "underscored Cain's anti-elitist appeal" with its lyrics.[18] Campaign ads featuring "I Am America" gave the song increased exposure.[3] A campaign ad using "I Am America" that included Cain's chief of staff was the subject of numerous parodies also featuring the song.[19] On The Colbert Report, comedian Stephen Colbert satirically claimed Cain got the line "I Am America" from Colbert's book, I Am America (And So Can You!). Several parodies of the ad were then shown on the program using the song.[20]

Rick Santorum announced in March 2012 that he has adopted Branch's song "Remember Who We Are" as an official theme song for his campaign, having been without a theme song prior to the announcement.[11] Santorum said he chose the song because "few songs express the beauty and strength of who we are as free Americans better than Krista’s." The song is seen as representing the emotion of his campaign effort.[10][18] David Weigel described Branch as the "muse of the insurgent conservative candidate" due to her songs being used by Cain and Santorum in their primary campaigns.[2]

Political activism

Branch has said her patriotism and admiration for America is the unifying principle of her music. She suggests the Tea Party is animated not by rebelliousness, but by patriotism and love of freedom. Her music often incorporates political themes and religious views that have led to her songs resonating with Tea Party supporters and commentators such as Glenn Beck and Bill O'Reilly.[1][3][7][10]

The artist has performed at political rallies led by Beck, and at campaign rallies for Herman Cain. Her husband joined Cain's presidential campaign as state director for Tennessee after hearing him speak at events where Branch performed.[1] Branch said Cain was a natural choice for her and her husband because she felt their beliefs aligned with Cain's.[3] Since 2010, she received three payments that totaled $10,000 for live entertainment services provided at political rallies from several political action committees associated with Cain's campaign.[21]

Personal life

She married Michael Branch in 2000, and they have since had three children together.[5] Early in their marriage Branch's husband said they got into financial difficulties as he worked several odd jobs, in addition to his work as a youth pastor, in order to make a living. He describes living with Branch in a "shabby place" in Tulsa, Oklahoma where they struggled to pay $480 a month in rent. When they were living in Colorado, the Branches rented a house they still owned in Oklahoma until the renters stopped paying. The house in Oklahoma was eventually put into foreclosure and sold by the bank for more than the Branches owed on the property.[1]

While Branch and her husband were living in Colorado Springs, their baby daughter, Kenna, nearly drowned in their bathtub. Branch and her husband attributed their child's survival to the power of prayer, having been inspired after seeing The Passion of the Christ a few days earlier. A year later their experience was the subject of a story on the 700 Club.[22]

In order to focus on her music career, Branch and her family moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 2010.[1]

Discography

Year Song Album
2010 "I Am America" Single[5]
2010 "Remember Who We Are" Single[8]
2010 I Am America EP[13]
2011 "Lead Me On" (cover) Single[14]
2011 "Crumbling Castle" Single
2011 "God of This Nation" (feat. Andy Chrisman) Single[23]
2011 "Can You Hear Us Now" Single[24]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Wyatt, Edward (2011-10-16). "Song Adopted by Cain's Campaign Also Aims to Be a Tea Party Anthem". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011-10-28.
  2. ^ a b Weigel, David (March 15, 2012). "The Rick Santorum Theme Song, Brought to You by the Author of the Herman Cain Theme Song". Slate (magazine). Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Texas native's song becomes Herman Cain anthem". The Dallas Morning News. March 11, 2011. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  4. ^ "Four Oklahomans get to next round on 'American Idol'". Tulsa World. 2008-01-17. Retrieved 2011-10-28.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Bixby singer Krista Branch sings Tea Party praises -- and creates a YouTube hit". Tulsa World. 2010-07-20. Retrieved 2011-10-28.
  6. ^ a b c d "Singer Krista Branch gives the tea party movement its anthem". The Washington Times. 2010-07-22. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
  7. ^ a b c Ortenzi, Tj (July 7, 2010). "Krista Branch 'I Am America' Song Supports Tea Party". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2011-10-28.
  8. ^ a b Krista Branch on Glenn Beck's Insider Extreme. pastormikebranch. June 8, 2010. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  9. ^ "Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin to Hold "Restoring Honor Rally"". CBS News. 2010-07-26. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
  10. ^ a b c Tomasic, John (March 14, 2012). "Fresh off southern victories, Santorum taps Tea Party singer Branch for theme song". The Colorado Independent. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  11. ^ a b Eugenios, Jillian (March 14, 2012). "Santorum finds his groove with new theme song". MSNBC. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  12. ^ "Video of the Day – September 3, 2010". GlennBeck.com. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  13. ^ a b Holdsworth, Jeremiah (July 16, 2011). "Krista Branch – I Am America EP". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  14. ^ a b "Krista Branch's pro-Israel song is Amy Grant's song about the Holocaust (and slavery)". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 2011-10-30. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  15. ^ "Krista Branch, the Tea Party's siren, releases a pro-Israel song". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 2011-10-28. Retrieved 2011-10-28.
  16. ^ Sarachik, Justin (October 19, 2011). "American Bible Society, Krista Branch Help Soldiers Overcome War Pressures". Christian Post. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  17. ^ "Armed Services Ministry Goes to Sunbelt". American Bible Society. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  18. ^ a b Boerma, Lindsey (March 14, 2012). "Santorum Gets a Big Win and His Own Song". National Journal. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  19. ^ "Jon Huntsman's daughters spoof Herman Cain's smoking ad". The Daily Mail. October 30, 2011. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  20. ^ Linkins, Jason (2011-10-26). "Stephen Colbert Offers Herman Cain Suggestions For Further Commercials, Issues Challenge". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2011-10-28.
  21. ^ "Cain Ad Stars Paid Well, Senator Wants a Super PAC and More in Capital Eye Opener: Oct. 26". Open Secrets. 2011-10-26. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  22. ^ "The Branchs' Miracle Baby". The 700 Club. Retrieved 2011-10-28.
  23. ^ "Two Brand News Songs Available!". KristaBranch.com. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  24. ^ "New Song Release - Can You Hear Us Now". KristaBranch.com. Retrieved 16 April 2012.

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