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Shuttin' Detroit Down is "a populist anthem that combines elements of working-class pride, economic frustration, and class warfare," according to the Detroit Free Press, "Shuttin' Detroit Down" is resonating with fans in tough economic times. Rich says the single "is about the working men and women of America, and how Washington and New York City are slinging billions of dollars over the tops of our heads, while hard working people are going down the drain."

Many people have responded to the song, writing in about their experiences and how the song has touched their lives. Below is a collection of those stories. Click below to add your own. These stories are moderated, so there will be a delay before they appear. Check back often to read the latest submissions!

Send Us Your Story

Your Stories:

Thanks John

Thank you John for drawing attention to our troubles here in Michigan. It's great to know that there is a famous country singer out there that cares about the middle and low class citizens of America. I live in the suburbs of Detroit and I have neighbors that worked for Crysler and GM that have been laid off and it's very frustrating to see the other neighbors still going out and buying those foriegn piece of crap cars. I'm 18 and have only Driven american from the begining. I've never been in a foriegn car come to think of it, and frankly I'd rather walk to my destination than ride in a car made in a country who tried to destroy our freedom. I started out with a '99 Dodge minivan and a '94 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup made right in Detroit. About a month later I got a '98 Camaro which to this day I love throwing in neutral to let my 3.5 inch flowmasters growl at the riceburners as my american made muscle car goes by. It's great to see that you, Jack Ingram and Rodney Atkins all support chevy. Especially when I saw a Toyota convertible in one of the Brooks and Dunn music videos- made me absolutly sick to my stomach to see a foriegn car in country music. Keep up the good work and thanks for having our backs.

- Matt Boratynski
Pharme992
Very nice site!
- Pharme992
Pharme760
Very nice site!
- Pharme760
American Advocate
As a retired GM/UAW employee, this song represents the hard working Amreican Middle Class and the miscarriage of justice that our government, big business and the disloyal American citizens are doing to our country. When I started work at GM, I asked many Veterans and farmers in our little community why they owned American manufactured vehicles. The response was, "Those people killed many of my friends and tried to kill me." This served as an eye opener to me and I will never own a foreign manufactured vehicle. I recently wrote a book and hope to get it published. It is titled "Where America Went Wrong" My View On The Downfall Of Our Country And What It Will Take To Rebuild It. The book describes where we came from, where we are now, and the direction we're going in. It calls out the government, big business and the disloyal Americans who have helped to financially ruin our economy. Solutions are offered to bring about a Re-United States of America for our future generations. Foreign made products and services not only ruin our economy but we are paying foreign countries and businesses to kill and maim our families. I've requested information on the amount of fatalities connected with foreign products and services but to this date I have not received any statistics. It seems that someone has something to hide and being a former police officer, a Veteran and a small business owning taxpayer, this is a bit much to take.
- Charles L. Hopkins, SR.
Thank you Kris Kristofferson and Mickey Rourke
Thank you Kris Kristofferson and Mickey Rourke for participating in this video. It would never have been as powerful without you. It says a great deal about your character because many would not have "joined hands" with John Rich because he supported McCain in the last election. There has to be something in our country that rises above politics!!! It took courage for the two of you to "speak out" when the rest of Hollywood appears to be silent. M Shelton
- Mona Shelton
Watching Michigan Die
I have only lived in Michigan for a few years but how it has changed in the time we have been here. I work for one of the big three and last week watched friends and co-workers walked to the door with few if any prospects. I hold my breath each time the Government raises its hand to help because there will be more shown the door. With a median home price in Detroit at $6800.00 (no that is not a typo, I didn't forget a 0 somewhere) it speaks volumes. The auto makers are being made out as some type of incapable idiots because they have tried to stand behind the promises they made to their employees (blue and white collar). But those promises don't seem to matter much today - and the auto makers aren't breaking the promises on their own - they are being forced to make these decisions. I can honestly say they are trying to do right by the employees, although it might not seem like it. As for forcing Wagner out and making it tough on other auto maker leadership - shame on the Government! Washington needs to remember that their time is coming - we can force you out! Oh wait - Mr or Mrs. Senator or Congressman, you get to keep your big "retirement" and insurance for life - how could we forget....just because you don't get re-elected - your still set. While the rest of us hope that we have something left from our company when you are done with it!
- db
Thank you
Just saw you on Hannity. I still have tears running down my cheeks from all the emotions I felt watching the video and listening to the words of your great song. I was born and raised in the Detroit area and I feel so angry and helpless about the horrible downturn in Detroit's economy. Seems like Obama, the Congress and Senate just do not get it. Detroit's automotive business supports many more people than just the direct employees. More important than the banks or wall street, Detroit is the backbone of this country. I remember as a young adult people feeling such pride if they were lucky enough to get a job with Ford or GM etc. Everyone knew if they worked hard and did a good job they would be able to retire with dignity and security. So many dreams have been shattered. So many lives have been changed by Detroit's down turn. I speak with my friends in Michigan and the story is all the same whether rich, middle class or poor. Dismal. Detroit should get as much help as it takes to get back on track. Thanks for reminding us of the real world and bringing it all home. Beautiful Michigan!!!
- kathleen cooper
Thanks
I saw you on Hannity a few minutes ago and just had to get to this site to leave you a note. What a great story to hear about the video and how Kris and Mickey gave of themselves to be a part of it. Mostly though, I wanted to say Thanks to you for who you are and sharing your song with us. I got the feeling from hearing you that it wasn't about the money...you already have that. It wasn't about the fame or notoriety...you already have that too. You said that you were just at home with your guitar and came up with the chorus...and the rest came later of course. Thanks for being someone who cares enough to be sitting at home and have those words and those thoughts come to mind and create a song to share with all of us. Thanks for letting people know how so many of us feel about what is going on in the world today. Thanks for speaking your mind and not holding back on Hannity. We appreciate you and at the very least, this very beautiful moving song.
- XAV
The lesson our children are learning from this
I have been self supporting since I was 16 years old. My husband and I met in high school and at 16 I was finishing high school and working full time living on packet noodles and boxed mac and cheese. After high school my husband and I worked for Hasbro. We were there many years untill they decided to go to Mexico. We didnt let it discourage us and moved on to other factory work about an hours drive from our home. After a couple years at that job my husband and I finally had gotten to a point where we felt confidant we could purchase a modest home to raise our children in. A year later the plant we worked in started cutting pay, hours and benefits. Then came hiring freezes with employees being required to step up and do what 3 people were doing in the past. The pay became not enough to justify the long ride to and from work with the excessive gas prices so we found a job closer to home. My husband went first and a few months later I followed. Well, 3 months later I was laid off and we were warned my husband would be also if things didnt pick up soon. By this point our mortgage had reset twice. A few months later my husband was laid off and we lost our home. We moved to another state with new jobs lined up and new hope. Fortunantly my husband landed what has been a steady job for 11.00 an hour. I had one for 10.00. It wasnt a lot but enough to make ends meet. My husband has had diabetes for over 10 years and during all of this became insulin pump dependant. I knew his condition was getting worse and eventually he will no longer physically be able to do the only work hes done all his life, so I returned to college in hopes I can get a job that will be enough to support us by the time this happens. So for the last 2 years I have been working full time and going to school full time while still taking care of my 3 children. A little over 4 weeks ago I got laid off again. Demand for steel has gone down and demand for employees had to. But unlike the man in the video I didnt get a face to face dismissal. I was called 15 minutes before I left for work that morning and told not to come in, I had been let go. And now my husband, from the diabetes and from the constant being on his feet for 12 hour shifts all these years has been diagnosed with charcots foot. In 1 week they will be putting him in a closed toe walking cast which he will be in anywheres from 4 weeks to 6 months and then he will have to be in custom orthotics and shoes. In order to continue to pay rent and put food on the table he will be going to work in his cast. The stuff I see on the news gets me so angry. I have always told my children if they want good things in life all they have to do is set their minds to it and work hard and it will happen. But all they are seeing is that working hard just wears a body out, where being greedy and dishonest reaps an easy life and financial reward. My children have worked since age 13 doing newspaper jobs and odd jobs in order to have things they "want" and now my 16 year old is having to work full time in order to buy things she needs. Our country has lost its morals and values. Corporate greed and lack of ethics is bringing us down fast. Most of us can kiss any hope of retiring goodbye and our children definantly can with all the debt we are leaving them. So much for the land of the free.
- Kathleen
THREE NEED JOBS NOT HAND OUTS
God Bless you for caring!! To start my oldest daughters plant being shipped to China nobody tried to stop it. She has worked there 13yrs almost right out of highschool, She has been off since October. She is only getting $250.00 week unemployment and has a 15 yr old daughter to raise. When she applies for job she is told you don't have the experence we are looking for. Second person in family hunting job is youngest daughter. She is a single mom with two children. She has worked at a bank,ran office which included keeping his books and learning the locksmith business and she took care of her grandmother who had alzhimers until she died. This included bathing, feeding , giving medicine and changing her as well as tending to her children. She is being told the same thing. You don't have experence. Now the third is my husband works for supplier for car manufacturing. Has over 25 years in quality. They have been cut to 32 hours a week,salary cut, and only working about one to two weeks a month. He has had one interview out of all jobs he has applied for. His age is some of the problem they don't want to hire older people. He has stuck it out at present job its a job and at least some money coming in. All our savings are gone because of this plus trying to help our daughters. When is someone going to wake up and stop our jobs from going to other countries and the emploers giving people a chance to show them they can do the job. All I can say is that we are better off than some people and we will survive. God bless you.
- Shirley
THREE NEEDS JOBS NOT HAND OUTS
God Bless you for caring!! To start my oldest daughters plant being shipped to China nobody tried to stop it. She has worked there 13yrs almost right out of highschool, She has been off since October. She is only getting $250.00 week unemployment and has a 15 yr old daughter to raise. When she applies for job she is told you don't have the experence we are looking for. Second person in family hunting job is youngest daughter. She is a single mom with two children. She has worked at a bank,ran office which included keeping his books and learning the locksmith business and she took care of her grandmother who had alzhimers until she died. This included bathing, feeding , giving medicine and changing her as well as tending to her children. She is being told the same thing. You don't have experence. Now the third is my husband works for supplier for car manufacturing. Has over 25 years in quality. They have been cut to 32 hours a week,salary cut, and only working about one to two weeks a month. He has had one interview out of all jobs he has applied for. His age is some of the problem they don't want to hire older people. He has stuck it out at present job its a job and at least some money coming in. All our savings are gone because of this plus trying to help our daughters. When is someone going to wake up and stop our jobs from going to other countries and the emploers giving people a chance to show them they can do the job. All I can say is that we are better off than some people and we will survive. God bless you.
- Shirley
Michigan
I have worked hard all my life. I have had a job of some sort since I was ten. I am 37 years old now, married with three wonderful children. I have been unemployed for 6 months, lost my house, and living with my parents. My husband has been out of work for six months. My sister got laid off from a small company when she was 8 months pregnant. No Cobra insurance. There are nine of us living in my parents 4 bedroom 1 bathroom home. At least I had somewhere to go! I spent new years with some friends at there house. It turned out that everybody at the party had lost there house. The other two families are still working. My story is about a bank that got greedy. I moved and my payment got stuck in the mail. Interest rate moved up, up, up. I couldn't afford it anymore. I called the bank probably 40 times trying to work it out. I could afford the original payment. No deal. They would even try. I messed up with my first payment, but the banks are greedy, and the rich are getting richer and the poor aren't going to survive. 15% unemployment in my county.
- Tracy VanMeter
Your Right Thank You
As of April 6th the federal government shut down our locally owned bank just before planting season so our farmers are scrambling to get seed etc for planting this year. They could help Citibank, Bank of america and Wells Fargo but they couldn't help our community. My heart goes out to Detroit as it does our farmers. Thank you for getting mad and using your god given talent to speak for all of us. I write senators and the congress but I dont have that kind of power and I appreciate the fact that you do and you speak out not worrying about being politically correct. THANK YOU!
- Gidget
Shutting a family down
I want to thank you for your song, it means a lot to many of my family members. I live in Lansing Michigan where Oldsmobile started making cars over one hundred years ago. My family has been involved in the automotive industry since the 1930s. In the last year my dad was forced to retire and now I have been laid off. Some of the people I was working with are being forced out, just like your video. Thank you for making our voice heard.
- Jason
How about an Auto Aid
As a lifelong resident of the Detroit area, I was raised, fed, housed, and clothed by an income supplied by the Auto Industry. Now, I'm watching family, neighbors, friends and myself be affected by the drop in the economy and the hit the Automotive Industry has taken. What fed me as a child, is now having this new generation of children go hungry, lose their homes, and have a lack of clothing. I have a suggestion. I don't know where to start. But in the 80's when the Farmer's of the U.S. were losing their farms and homes, singers got together a "Farm Aid". Well now the Automotive workers need some help. How about getting a "Auto Aid" performance together to raise some funds to help these people out. The U.S. benefited from their work for quite a few years. We should be able to give back.
- Peggy
Union Supporter
I owned a small business for 12 years that we are having to close due to the economy. I am one of the fortunate people, my husband has a union job that he will most likely never lose. Without the unions, I don't even think there would be a minimum wage in America. I hope the politicians wake up and realize it is middle class Americans that drive this economy. I am concerned with the high unemployment, it will be a great chance to stop collective bargaining and break all unions and ship all possible jobs overseas. Got Patriotism, BUY AMERICAN
- Cindy Briggs
Thank you
Thank you so much for the song, it really hits home for a lot of us. My husband works for GM and was told a month ago not to worry everything was OKay and would be that way for awhile. Until todays news for GM - I called to check on him and found out about the meeting and does not look good. My husband is very worried about losing the house and finding work we have 4 small children. They are giving false hope to many people- they make you feel safe then drop you like your time with them is nothing. I know all of these people in this industry have worked hard at what they did and were loyal to a company that could care less. I hope things get better for all of us soon.
- Julie Cunningham
Thank You
This is just a THANK YOU, for getting to the heart of this country's problems. I know this song touches alot of unemployed AMERICANS. I hope in my heart that everything will turn out for the best for everyone affected in this time of turmoil. God Bless the AMERICANS in the USA.
- Cindy
Family
Hi John and all of the fans. I have been looking for somewhere to write down my thoughts for a few days now. First of all, John, thank you so much for this song and video. A co-worker told me about it the other day and I watched it at work and sat sobbing at my desk. It truely touched me. I don't know where to start to make this short and sweet, but many things about this video really hit home. I don't know what I can do to help the economy, the country right now, but I feel so inspired everytime I watch this video. I taped it last weekend on the top 20 so my fiance could watch it and now I seem to catch myself watching it all of the time and wondering what I can do to help. No, I am not obsessed, LOL, but this video has somehow stirred something up inside of me causing me to want to help, to want to do something. I grew up on a farm and watched it ripped out from under my family so a water treatment plant could be built leaving my family with little ground to farm. I have watched so many of my friends and family members suffer lately that it scares me. I fear for my job sometimes because of a medical condition. I have watched my brothers family suffer for the same reason. They aren't asking for handouts, they are asking for help. I want to do something. Anybody have any ideas or any encouraging words? Thank you, Melissa
- Melissa
Thank you
I am a social worker living in a suburb of Detroit. This was my first opportunity to view the "Shutting Detroit Down" video in full. I work with people daily who are facing the struggles shown in the video and was very moved by it. The video demonstrates the seriousness of our situation and the deep emotion associated with it. You have told a very powerful story in a way that no news report can. Thank you for putting our story out there so people can have some glimpse of what we are going through.
- Annette
SINKING SHIP OF BREAKING HEARTS
DEAR MR. RICH, I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR THE SONG. I'M A BIG FAN OF YOUR WORK, HOWEVER I DON'T THINK I CAN LISTEN TO SHUTTIN' DETROIT DOWN ANY MORE....NO MATTER HOW MUCH I LIKE IT. I CANNOT HEAR IT WITHOUT SHEDDING TEARS. I'M EMPLOYED AS AN ASSEMBLY WORKER, BUILDING MOTOR CYCLES,FOR HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY IN YORK PA. AND YOUR SONG JUST HITS WAY TOO CLOSE TO HOME. I'VE BEEN WATCHING PEOPLE (BY THE HUNDREDS) BEING LAID OFF...AND THEY AREN'T JUST PEOPLE, THEY ARE MY FAMILY. I'VE SPENT AS MUCH TIME WITH THEM OVER THE YEARS AS I HAVE WITH MY WIFE AND KIDS. THIS ICONIC COMPANY THAT HAS OVER-ACHIEVED FOR OVER TWENTY YEARS ON THE SWEAT OF ITS EMPLOYEES JUST HIRED A NEW CEO AT A STARTING SALARY OF $975,000/YR. WITH AN ANNUAL BONUS OF NO LESS THAN 120% OF HIS BASE PAY...( YES YOU DID READ THAT CORRECTLY).I WOULD LIKE TO PERSONNALY INVITE YOU TO SEE FOR YOURSELF; AS MY GUEST, FOR A TOUR OF OUR FACILITY. I DON'T WANT ANYTHING FROM YOU, NOR DO I NEED ANYTHING. IT'S JUST THE ONLY WAY I KNOW TO TRY AND BRING A SMILE TO ALOT OF MY UNION BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO ARE WAITING TO SEE IF WE'LL BE THE NEXT ONES TO BOARD THIS "SHIP OF BREAKING HEARTS."
- JOHN FILIPELLI Sr.
Family Tradition
My dad retired from in 1984. My oldest brother worked himself to death, literally, of a massive heart attack working constant overtime in a GM plant. Another brother has a lung disease that we are sure was caused from working at a plant, until it closed down. He transferred to another plant and worked there until he retired this past summer. They payed his "buy-out" money from his pension, which in turn caused him to have to pay an ungodly amount of taxes when filing this year. My dad and brothers worked long, hard hours for many years to be able to retire and not have to worry about how they were going to live. What happens now with their pensions? What happens to the pensions of people still working for the auto industry? Why is it that we can help other countries, but balk about helping our own???
- Paula
Detroit is Auto !
John, thank you for crystallizing exactly how I and my family feel about what's going on politically now. I'm retired from the working class and I spent 23 years in the Auto Industry directly or in companies related to the Industry. I was born, raised and educated in the great State of Michigan. My first 17 years out of college were spent in Detroit. To work in the Auto's was an honor and a privelege. Then we moved to the East Coast to work for an Auto Distributor. That's when I learned the difference between working in the middle class and the so called upper middle class accentuated by the East Coast presence. For the Government to be bailing out the Wall Street crowd and making the Detroit Auto Industry crawl for help is beyond comprehension. This is why I resonate with your song. Thanks!!
- Bill
Struggling in America
Dear Mr. Rich Just wanted to say I love your new song "Shuttin Detroit Down" The words to the song are so true!!! I think the government should have given the "Bailout Money" to the working people instead of giving the money to the Big Corporations, Their CEO'S make more in Bonues than most people make their whole life. My husband is in construction, and his business has been awful the past two years, we have had to use credit cards just to get by and now find that was a huge mistake!!!!! Trying to pay them off and still keep up with nessecities is really taking a toll on us. If the govenment would have given the money to the people we could make our house payments and car payments which in turn the money would have went to the Banks and Car Companies, it is really hard on people trying to decide what bills they can pay and what medicaions they have to take trying to balance everything makes it really hard on everybody and the elderly. I work 40 hours a week and just got a small raise(.15 cents a hour) and two weeks later found out that my healthcare ins. is going up $19.00 a month so there went that money. I had always dreamed of getting my mother a house with a basement, she lives in a mobile home (I also live in a mobile home), because she is terrified of storms, she has to leave home sometimes in the early morning hours to go to a storm pit at my Nanny's house( who has passed away) and is there for several hours until the storms have passed and i really worry about her being there by herself, because you never know who is out at that time of the morning!!!! But now with my bills the way they are that will be very difficult to make happen. The way I see it if our Government would have given each household say one hundred thousand dollars,(instead of Billions to the Corporations) then we the people could get our economy back on the right track. I know for two hundred thousand i could get that house for my Mother and pay off all of my debts and have a little left over, then i would not have to stress so much about keeping the lights and the water on. I have been working since i was 16 and i am now 35 and still feel like i am getting nowhere!!!! Anyway just wanted to vent a little bit, and also to say thanks for the songs, sometimes that is all us little people have to keep our spirits up and to keep us going. Love your music. Jessica Vincent Childersburg, Alabama 35044 jejo47@peoplepc.com
- Jessica
depressed
my story begins like the rest i found myself in trouble when i quit my job to nashville to be closer to my husband who is in music and get back my writting.thought it was a good formove for myself and my daughter. she been having problems in school with bullying like most of the kids in my neighborhood does and the crimes in south jersey i got scared of what might happen so with my taxes money i was going to move my husband and i have not seen one another since 2004 when we had a bad fight when my mom died i have been been able to reach him or his friends since dec08. anyway thats when my family got worried about me and called child services and the taxes were taken for unpayed bill and me with no job and my 9 yrs daughters safe with the rent due went looking for new job could not find the stress got really bad. my ex nowhere to be found and my family worries,i got sick and ended up in hosptial and now on meds but thats not the bad part the state took my daughter and i get to see her once a week all because i got depressed alittle,she is with my dad and stepmom here in pv,njand i go tocourt about custdy may 12 or 15. and trying to get ahold of that man has become unbelievablely hard try changing the name but that didnot work either so now im here typing this letter talking about how i screwed up my life and my daughter all because of a man that doesnt care about our daughter or me just his stupid music career it makes me madder then hell.he promised me he would be here but anyway with my daughter with my dad and me on meds and listenin to the voice of a man that reminds of better times in my life well that helps me though this hard times im workin on gettin better and get my little girl back i have been lonely for to long waitin on a man and his friends i decided to start dating again and start writing my own stuff again one is called LOST LOVE.i also might had a new job with gods help and now seein i dont need john david anymore the funny thing i want him to be there for our daughter mickey she really needs him right now she is going thourgh what we did as children but worst. i just didnt know how to help her and now i do she and i are in therepy.God does know what hes doin after all. my depression will not keep me down and so belive me when i say things do get better in the end.nj is the state one likes but our state helped keep the last glass factory here in salem city open so no one would lost their jobsbut we do have some businesses laying a few work and the towns taxes are higher then most but we are protectin our history and there is a chance for change just like my life i believe things will get better with time. tabbie jean ps jr love the shirts untucked my john david wears them like that too cause i asked him to when ask why its easier to take it off of him!!!!!!!
- tabbie jean
Helen Crowder
I have family and friends that have been effected with all this nonsense and my heart goes out to all who have been effected! John you hit the nail right sqyarly on the head. I cry every time I hear this and cry for the American folks that have lived the American dream and in a blink of a jerks eye LOST it!! God Bless you John for putting it out there!
- Helen Crowder
Shuttin Detroit Down
Hey John, Keep putting out the word in your songs. When I heard Shuttin Detroit Down I just shook my head and cried. I know too many people-family members, friends- who have lost their jobs of many years of working for a company. I am from WV and right now in Hawaii caring for my g-son so my daughter and her husband could do their third tour in Iraq. I look around and all I see is big shots and wonder who's dime they are here on-the working man's-I think of people back home who are struggeling from being laid off from the mines and mills as myself from down sizing which gave me the opportunity to help my country in a very small way by being here. I am a proud and thank God American-born and raised-in the country that allows a person freedom to do either good or bad and it's a shame we all can't see the whole picture. To help someone makes my day. Some look at me like I am crazy or have alternate intentions, that is a sad thing to gaze upon in my mind. I love your Big and Rich Shows also. I am 51 but don't feel,look or act like it. The 70's will be in my heart forever and your songs take me back when there was alot of Love in the USA. I wish you well and send hugs and kisses your way while praying for a better way for the younger generation to 'Just understand' and move in the right direction of peace and love.
- Cheryl
our heartfelt story
WE WERE THE OWNERS OF A TRUCKING BUSINESS WE HAD TO SELL IT BECAUSE THE FUEL PRICES. WE WENT TO WORK FOR A LOCAL TRUCKING BUSINESS. OUR OLDEST SON TRIED OUT FOR A GRADE SCHOOL IDOL. HE MADE IT. HE SAID " HEY MOM I WANNA SING SOMETHING THAT EVERYONE KNOWS" HE IS 10 YEARS OLD AND SAID WHAT ABOUT SHUTTIN DETROIT DOWN? HE SAID ALOT OF PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY ARE DOING WITHOUT BECAUSE THEY ARE IN THE SAME SITUATION. TAKE IT FROM MY 10 YEAR OLD. HIS UNCLE DOESN'T KNOW FROM DAY TO DAY IF HIS JOB AT ALCOA IS GONNA GET CUT NEXT OR EVEN WHEN. THANK YOU FOR LETTING US KNOW THAT YOU CARE AND YOU WANT D.C TO LISTEN TO THE LITTLE MAN. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU IN AUGUST AT THE FAIR IN DAVENPORT. THE BARKER FAMILY
- TINA BARKER
hard times
thank you soooo much for writing this song. My husband works for a michigan automotive rubber part maker. We have a one year old and our second child one the way due to the lay offs he is laid off about half the time the other half we are playing catchup some times its a struggle just to scrap up the money for diapers. It's about time somebody brought the little man in to the spotlight.
- melissa
So Sad
My husband has worked in the chrome plating industry all his life anything that has to be plated for a vehicle he did it bumper's, mirror's you name it. He's 61.Just before Christmas he was laid off for 3 month's.He got called back to work for a month. Today April 30 they started to lay off again.He get's a lousy 1,400 a month unemployment and 900 of it goes for the house payment.Can't retire that's even less money.I dread having to go through this again.I havn't been out of the house since November.We live in the Detroit area have no saving's and no 401K to fall back on.Forced to file bankruptcy.Never owned a new car alway's someone elses used vehicles that we never paid more than 3 grand for.His truck has over 300,000 miles and smokes to the high heaven,My car has over 200,000 miles on it with two flat tire's and both door handles are broken so you can't roll up the window's or you'll get locked out.All I want is a job and a way to get to work.I'm a professional cake decorator.I need to support my husband as he has supported us all these year's.LOVE YOU JOHN Can't wait to see next season of Gone Country.Avid follower.Love that show
- janet
Thank you!!!
Thank you for writing ;in my estimation one of the "ANTHEMS" of theese times! Im a huge Johnny Cash fan and I think that he would have felt the same way as you do. I'm a father or three girls and a former automotve service technician for a small town GM/Ford garage ,thanks to a lay off. I hope to find a job soon in the job that I loved to do. Its was about time somebody had the guts to speek their mind in a "PC" world. Thanks!
- Cortney Harris Maughan
Motorcity Chick in Albuquerque
A former co-worker forwarded this email to me titled "They're shutting Detroit Down". I wondered what this was all about since my hometown has been suffering for a few years now. I moved to Albuquerque 4.5 years ago and I constantly hear my friends back home telling me how bad things are in my hometown. When you're from Detroit (actually I'm from the suburbs of Detroit), any news about Detroit pulls at my heart-strings. Well, I was crying as the video progressed. Thank you John for bringing this issue in front of the media. My father was a pipe fitter for Ford Motor for over 30 years. He recently passed at the age of 86. He was loyal to Ford until the day he died. He loved his Ford/Mercury vehicles. He accumulated stock while working at Ford and would never let us sell it. He had that much faith in his former employer. And it is just this faith that has passed on to his three adult children. It is this type of loyalty and faith that Wall Street hasn't got one clue about. When a company takes care of their people, employees will be loyal. Wall Street has no concept of how loyalty and trust play a part in the American Dream. They came up with the idea of sending jobs overseas and now Americans are living in their cars or tents because of the Wall Street Formula. The video's reference to Wall Street sitting high on the hog while the blue collar folks are all losing their homes is very true. I have a friend in Detroit that's going to lose her home because she is unemployed. It is time for companies to quit listening to advice from Wall Street. They came up with the 401k and now there is a whole generation of folks without pensions. The Wall Street smarty-pants folk need to rally around bringing pensions back because it will always be the blue collar workers that keep this country chugging along. I like Big and Rich, especially "Lost in this Moment" Thank you again John.
- Kathi
Oil Patch Screwed (Again!)
Been in the oil patch for 30 plus years and even with all the careful planning and cautious attitude, we are getting screwed again. As soon as the industry realized that Obama and his agenda were going to get the White House, the oil patch started shutting down. Seems like the Dems don't realize that this throw away world we live in is based on petroleum. Not just gas and diesel, but just about everything used/manufactured in this country is based on petroleum. But as soon as Dems get in office, they start wanting to kill off the big, bad oil business, with no regard for the THOUSANDS of workers in this industry who loose jobs. There has NEVER been a "job re-training program" for the oil patch...we are just put out of jobs like the trash. The oil industry as a whole HAS NEVER asked for government bail-out money...but we continue to get taxed and regulated and screwed more than anybody else. I have worked this industry since 1976, started out at the bottom as a sample catcher and worked my way up, to driller, toll pusher and even consulting. But then Obama and the Dems show up again. I have been out of work for nearly 8 months now. Have a job that is supposed to start, hopefully the end of May...if they get investors to fund the project, so that isn't a sure thing. Because I have been consulting for the last 2 yrs,(self-employed) I don't qualify for unemployment. But then, I probably wouldn't qualify anyway because I am a born and raised white American male!!!! Am I pissed off...YES!!!! This country has wasted so much money in so many ways. The last thing we need to be doing is buying our oil from overseas when we can drill here and have enough to last. Green Technolgy is great and has its place BUT ...IT STILL TAKES OIL TO PRODUCE THE GREEN TECHNOLOGY!!!!!
- James Powell
Truth
You claim that the song “is about the working men and women of America, and how Washington and New York City are slinging billions of dollars over the tops of our heads, while hard working people are going down the drain” Yet in your video you put the middle-manager in the same light as the high paid executives. I’m a middle manager brought up in a poor neighborhood and worked through college and grad school to better myself. I could have settled for a low level factory job but I didn’t. I work very hard every day and some days I have to make unpopular decisions but I try to be fair and treat people with decency. I don’t get to “jet on outta town”. I’m affected by the downturn as much as any other worker and realize that there is no job security in any industry these days. Maybe they wouldn’t be “Shuttin’ Detroit Down” if people were more committed to their work and each other and less committed to letting third parties choke a whole industry to death. I love your music but you’ve got your own “make believe” you’ve got to stop selling too. -Jim
- Jim
pissed off autoworker
john i just wanted to say thanks for your song. Its not just a song to my family, but a everyday life. I work for GM in lansing michigan. Not only do I, but so does my mother. She has 15yrs in that plant an now she doesnt have a job, either do I. It just pisses me off watching the news everynite an listing to them put down the autoworker, who has nothing to do with this crisis. the last week that i worked in March was a very hard week. Just knowing that it will be a long time before I see that line again. I remember one of my team mates ran to the radio to turn up your song "Shuttin Detroit Down" As we listened to that an worked on the cars I took a moment to look around an see in everyones eyes their worst fear. NOT HAVING A JOB. Pretty much everyone around me would not return the following week. its been a few months since I was pinked slipped an its just getting harder. I have a four year old son who relies on me. My husband finally got a seasonal job but its just not enough. I wonder how the president can sleep at nite? This change he talks about is the change for the worst. Just knowing he turned down GMs first plan because there wasnt enough job cuts. So How is this helping america? Auto is the foundation of this country. We have always been there for the people an government. Doesnt anyone remember who bulit tanks an planes for WWII? Guess not. It makes me sick to my stomach everytime I see that man on the tv. Almost as bad as when i see american people driving Forign cars. We need to stand up for what is right an take the government back!
- Jamie
MICHIGAN AUTO PLANTS CLOSING
I currently work at Chrysler's Sterling Heights Assembly. It is slated to close in 2010. I think it is a terrible thing that an American car companies continue to close American plants but will keep Mexican plants open. The workers at Sterling Heights Assembly take great pride in building an American car. Do the workers in Mexico take pride in building an American car? The difference is American workers are proud to build an American car, and for the workers in Mexico it is just a job. We the people in Michigan must fight to keep jobs in Michigan and in the United States. Michigan has lost many jobs and we do not need to see the crippling effects of Three plants closing. Sterling Heights Assembly is centrally located, a railroad is right behind the plant, and a stamping plant is one mile down the road. This is an ideal plant to build a Chrysler vehicle, isn't it? I would like your support to get word out there to stop sending U.S. money to support jobs in other countries. We at Sterling Heights Assembly are capable of building the same cars as the Mexican plants. Keep MONEY and JOBS in the U.S. I would ask you to inform your fans to contact their Congressman, Senators, the Governor and anyone else who will listen to keep these plants from closing. Michigan has suffered enough and with these plants closing, the trickle down effect would be devastating. Businesses around these plants rely on auto workers to help support them. The effects are already being felt. I want to thank you in advance for your support.
- Dennis
Even Small Town USA
I know how this song makes people feel I have worked for years in a little south georgia poultry plant that they announced in Feb. would shut down. Many of the people that work here actually helped to build the building with their own hands over 30 years ago and the facilities. After completing the construction they have worked there all there life, they too can not retire because there is nothing left for them to retire with. The 42 people that I worked alongside have touched my heart when I started there they surprised me at how close they were. Then when I was in a severe accident they were all there for me, when my father died they were there and helped me and supported me. I have grown to think of these people as an extension to my family. When they announced that they were closing us down over 900 people have lost their jobs and we have nothing left to turn to our town has nothing left. This company was all that was keeping this town and the people going. Yes there are other businesses but they relied on this company for more than 90% of their business. This business helped to keep our schools going with the taxes that they paid and that the people that worked their paid, but now that these people no longer have jobs they will no longer be able to pay those taxes and the places that they people shopped at no longer have their business because who can afford to go to a store now that there are jobs to earn a money at. It has gotten so bad that our schools are even starting to shut down. We have let 40+ teachers go this year alone and they have stated that even more are going to have to be let go in order to make the budget for the upcoming year. Most of the people here have given up a lot to this company they took more than their share of cuts in order to keep this business going and they repaid all of us by closing down. We have asked for help and the state will not help and government has turned their backs on us because they say that there are more important things right now like the banks and bigger businesses. We were part of a big business that had chose to turn their backs on this little south Georgia facility and the dedicated people who have dedicated over 30+ years of their lives to making this location successful. The government says just take this unemployment (for most is not even $100.00 a week) and sign up for Cobra in order to keep insurance on your family (which is 200.00+ a month) and look for other work. But there is no other work everything else closed up already. Once a person pays for insurance there is not enough left for their other bills. Several people don't know what they are going to do they know nothing else, they have spent their entire lives working here even when the company had changed hands in the past they always knew that they had a job. Closing a location does not just effect the employees it can destroy a whole community and area. John you have hit home with this song and you have stated what many of us wish we could say and be heard. I just wish and hope that the right people hear this song and do something positive with what is being said and turn things around for all of us. Thanks and keep up talking for us when no one else will. We love you and you are #1 in our lives with your music.
- JC
Southeast Texas
I just want to say thanks for using your gift of writing to stand up for all the working men/women out there trying to survive. I live on the Coast of Texas were the multiple refinaries (oil,plastic,rubber,etc) employee most of our residents. We are now fighting to work, major construction companies and the refinaries are laying off thousands. We might not be Detroit but we are trusting in the same God they are. God Bless America and the soldiers that fight for the USA.
- Dwain B.
Son/Grandson of autoworkers
First I want to start by saying that the song Shuttin Detroit Down is one of the best songs that I have heard/ I have lived in the Detoit area all my life My dads dad was a Semi driver and mu moms dad work at a Cadillac plant. They are both retired my moms dad passed away about 6 years ago and now she is in fear of loosing her health insurance that she has received from my Grandfathers retirement. Also my dad is an auto mechanic works for GM and is constantly wondering if he is going to have a job. About a month ago I had to move back in with my parents because my hours were just suddenly cut in half. There has been no other song that has hit as close to home as this one, keep it up. Go America Charles
- Charles
shuttin down detroit,got me to go out & buy a car
After watching "Shuttin Down Detroit" My wife & I just went out & purchased a new car.Even after my hours were cut to four days a week, months ago.And the shop that I work at, had closed down for a week, last week.I have been their 30 years. But I had to do something to help out the ECONOMY. I have also made a music video, & have put it on YouTube. It is about the ECONOMY called "What are we suppose to do?" By Warm- Up09. It is under The Blues section. John Rich gave me the idea for the music video.I would LOVE to KNOW what John Rich thinks of it. And John Rich gave me the idea to buy a new car, from his video. I had to do something, TO HELP. And, I tell you I had to look HARD, for an ALL AMERICAN MADE AUTOMOBILE. I BOUGHT A FORD FUSION BECAUSE TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, FORD TOOK NO BAIL-OUT!!! GREAT JOB.
- familymann9
Thank you John
I have watched this video several times and I get upset and mad all over again each time. It is truly sad that this is actually happening in this country right now. I really don't know how these people can sleep at night, knowing that they are taking away from hard working citizens. There are a LOT of people that are affected by this. I believe that Kris did a wonderful job playing the part. I really really like this song and crank it up every time it comes on. Thank you John for standing up for us, for being our voice. I just think and pray and know that God will provide for us. We all just need to stand up and take back our country. Thank you again.
- Misty
Thank you John
I have watched this video several times and I get upset and mad all over again each time. It is truly sad that this is actually happening in this country right now. I really don't know how these people can sleep at night, knowing that they are taking away from hard working citizens. There are a LOT of people that are affected by this. I believe that Kris did a wonderful job playing the part. I really really like this song and crank it up every time it comes on. Thank you John for standing up for us, for being our voice. I just think and pray and know that God will provide for us. We all just need to stand up and take back our country. Thank you again.
- Misty
last week in detroit
I visited Detroit last week to help take care of family needs..I have traveled the country, almost every major city, on tour playing music for many years on the road..I have seen many big cities in deterioration but none like Detroit..It hurt to see the conditions throughout the areas and city..The veiw of the surrounding housing from the local x-ways was depressing, and one x-way was shut down due to someone, what appeared, to be trying to jump off an overpass. Your song brings a tear to my eye..Possibly a larger awareness of reality and how much our fellow Americans need help, may help more people be thankful for what they have..Thank You for the song..
- paul tucker
West of Chicago
In September of 1980 Dennis worked his first shift at the Newark Assembly plant in Newark, De; Of which was shut down in January of 2009. He has 28 years working for Chrysler as a UAW member. Over the years he and the union have made concession after concession in those 28yrs to keep Chrysler viable and open. As his wife, I have watched him struggle in and out of that plant for the last 4yrs. Well, at least until January of 09. I received a phone call at work on one of the last days from Dennis, he had originally signed up to take the buy out. He was in tears and said, "Toots, I just can't do it. I have 28 years in this company and I can't sell that out. I want to take a transfer in order to keep working. I need you to think about it and let me know in an hour; I am out of time to make the decision." I called him back and said I would support him in his decision to relocate in order that he could continue to work. What most don't understand is this was no easy undertaking. See, we own our home in Maryland and the real estate market is such, that we can not sell. His tranfer was to Illinois to the Belvidere, Il plant. We own our home in Maryland and Rent in Illinois. We have a life that is separated between the midwest and the east coast. We left our friends and family, children and grandchildren to maintain our life. In the recent past, the UAW ratified a new contract taking yet more concessions to keep Chrysler open, only for them to go into Bankruptcy and restructure anyway. Dennis will be out of work for a minimum of 30days and a maximum of however much time it takes for Chrysler and Fiat to iron out its business plan. So here we are stuck in Illinois, with Dennis out of work and I personally have not been able to go back to work due to the lack of opportunities. Dennis has put together a band here in Illinois call Nahstalgia. When he heard your Shutting Detroit Down, he started working on it to cover it when they play out. He is also an incredible writer and prior to hearing your song, we had written a song called "West of Chicago". It is a song about our move and the uncertainty of our decision to relocate with Chrysler. The song can be heard on our myspace account, myspace.com/nahstalgia and the bands website is www.nahstalgia.com. On top of everything else, we left our grandsons back east. One of which is Autistic. He was diagnosed at age 2 and in now 5. We support Autism groups as often as we can. There will be a bike run in Woodstock, IL "Hope Run for Autism", Sponsored by Autism Society of Illinois. Nahstalgia will be the local entertainment. In these tough times, the charities are suffering along with the rest of us. They are having a hard time finding sponsorship for the event. Should you in anyway be able to help or sponsor this event, please, please contact Karen @ the Autism Society of Illinois. This event is scheduled to take place on September 12, 2009. We aren't crying in our wheaties, and we certainly aren't affraid to work. It is sad to see that the only help that is being made available is to those that have already proven they can not be trusted to do what is right. How many of us have to loose before someone stands up and does what is right. A man works all his life in a corporation that misuses its money and misuses its assets and abuses its workers over and over again, and "They" get the money. "They" get the restructer. Who is bailing us out? There is no restructure for us. There is only forclosures, repossessions and credit destruction. When is someone going to stand up for "US", the working class. The backs that these huge corporations make their money off of? Thank you for standing up for us. Thank you for being the voice of the Auto Industry in the Music Industry. God Bless you and keep you. Dennis & Suzi Maxwell Union, Il UAW 1268 Belvidere, IL
- Suzi Maxwell
true cause
I too believe that the big wigs on wall street are abusing the broken system but the motor industry needs to look at the true problem, THE UNION! The plants that are in the south with no union are having it hard but are not going bankrupt because the hard workers don't even make half than what the northern plants with unions. My 1st cousin is living in Detriot and says the houses the union bosses live in are million dollar homes. So yes wall street is a problem but the union is the reasons the plants are getting shut down.
- Gary
Automotive Everywhere
I actually worked right near several sights in the video! Detroit actually looks much worse than that! I had worked in automotive business for 20 years. I moved from Detroit to Tennessee to work with an automotive company, I was fired after being with a company for 3 years, geting excellent reviews. I am now 41, I have applied for over 300 jobs - everywhere - in automotive, every job said sorry you don't have your bachelors degree, I have my associates, 20 years ago that was all you needed. I have been unemployeed since August 2008, I almost lost my house, I have destroyed my credit because I can not pay all the bills I have. I have went back to college to get my RN degree, I don't yet qualify for any government assistance so I had to get student loans, hopefully I will qualify for a grant this year, and I can get my nursing degree, and be able to get a job! Since my 20 years of experience means nothing. I wish everyone out there the best! Myself and my family in Michigan have all been effected, I don't know what needs to be done but I hope someone figures it out soon. God bless everyone, I hope everyone out there stays safe and makes it through these hard times. Thank you John RIch for a song s moving and true!
- D. B.
Shutting England down
Hi, I live in England and listen to country music radio on the internet. The first time I heard shuttin' detroit down it was like it had been written for us across the pond too. Our ship yards have closed leaving whole towns of unemployed ship builders and now our car industry has gone the same way. Our govenrment has bailed out the banks too but is letting the little man go to the wall. Everything is going up in price, we pay around $5.50 for a gallon of gas. To get the cars selling the government has offered £2,000 for your car if it is over ten years old against a new car..breaking news if I am driving a ten year old car it is because I can't afford anything newer so where am I going to get the rest of the money to buy the new one! Thanks John for putting so eloquently in words what we are all thinking and feeling.
- Debby
Detroit Resident
I am 54. My husband and I were born in Detroit and have lived here all our life. Grads of MSU, we run a 3rd generation horseradish, bq, and mustard mfg plant in Detroit. Your song,"Shuttin Detroit down" gives the WRONG impression that it is only executives and Wall Street(?) that is responsible for our mess. It is Washington, D.C. through and through. And no one questions the piggishness of Hollywood, either. Why put down just the business sector of society, that has grown our country to be the great place it is? I just don't get it.
- Susan Brede
The Unions
Your song says the Biggies in the auto industry are to blame for the Detroit woes. They are, but they're not alone. The UAW is a very big factor in the destruction of the Big Three. I saw, first hand, what big labor unions have done to the domesic steel industry (grew up back east near Buffalo, NY). Many in my family worked at Bethlehem Steel in Lackawanna. Why didn't your song mention the union's contribution to the downfall of Chrysler and GM?
- Michael Soda
Giving Back
John, Your video parallels what my husband deals with daily. His job revolves around enforcing the corrupt laws handed down from the legislature these demoralizing politicians write. He has to put out of operation or "shut down" trucking business' who can't afford to pay the heavy fines and meet the strict unprincipled standards manifested from these laws. He comes home nauseated, sick looks at me saying "I feel horrible!!!" "I don't believe in what I do anymore!!" "I had to put a guy out of operation today and this guy is 61 years old and he's just trying to make ends meet and he couldn't afford the fines the Department of Motor Vehicles says he owes to keep his trucks moving so I have to do the "dirty work" and follow these immoral laws and take away this mans' form of income (running his trucks to haul produce.)" "Now, he has no way to pay his bills!!" We both found ourselves unemployed from the timber industry being forced to close. Fortunately, we found other means of occupation, others we knew not so lucky, our friend is on unemployment and that doesn't last forever. My husband and I talked it over and we have him come over to our 40 acre ranch and do some odd jobs and including paying him for the work he does we give him a truckload of food and supplies to help them out thankfully, now they have enough and we are using our resources over here to help him find work. It seems to be working--he has two interviews coming up in June. We are also helping two other families with the same needs. ** When we saw the "Shuttin' Down" video we were both yelling "It's about time somebody "grew a pair" and stood up for EXACTLY what is happening in America and call these crooked politicians out!!!!!! P.S. Am also HUGE fan of MUZIK MAFIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please respond if you can, THANK YOU FOR TAKING A STAND !!!!! Sincerely, Lisa
- Lisa Arias
Thank you for this song
I just watched your video of Shuttin Detroit Down with Kris Kristofferson and it made me weep. My grandfather worked for GM, my father worked for GM, and my brother is now laid off from GM wondering what the future holds for him. I just want to thank you for writing and performing this song which so many Americans can relate to. You are a true American and we appreciate your voice for the common man.
- Julie Shoemaker
The Whole Story
I am a 62 year old born, raised and lived most of my adult life in Motown, Detroit MI. I was there, lived with it and saw what came down with the Big 3 when it happened. Recalling when the Big 3 production line workers were the majority in their powerful union. The workers by their votes and union had the power to hold there employer and John Q Public hostage when contract negotiation time came around. The big club they swung was STRIKE. The big 3 production line worker was paid and had benefit packages only passed by that which the members of Congress received. Bottom line for the auto worker is that they were constructing their own ultimate demise by the degree of greed for which they held the power and means to demand and receive. WHICH THEY DID. There is so much more that can substantiate the view given. After all is said and done it always comes back to the same thing eventually.....MONEY! Wanting more and more and the willingness to contribute less and less to get it. You Hoo....wake up, ya'll!
- Nancy R. Gordon
laid off detroit
I got t say what a great song first and foremost. My story and as bad as some and I'm young enough to rebound and my heart goes out to all the people in my position now. Well I was a diesel tech at w.w.williams finally the job I have always wanted good money good place work could finally help my family out. Well I went down with knee surgery for about 4 months. Finally got back to work everything was going good started to get bills caught up was trying to help my mom so she didn't lose her car and her house. Well about 2 maybe 3 months back to work they pull me in the office and lay me off. So now I'm trying to find a diesel job they just 'aint hearing in columbus so now I'm left with filing bankruptcy and trying to make sure my mom doesn't get put out. So when you say shutting Detroit down I hear 'ya cause thats what I work on was Detroit diesels. I thought that it was one of the jobs that was good and you're always going to need but it looks like in this time of hurt nothing is a for sure thing. I mean i went from $500 a week to $188 i was only there a year and about 6 months so I understand I was at the bottom and I know there's people in a lot worse then i am i just want to say to everybody stay storng and have faith it will work out hopefully. Also thanks again jhon for the song it means alot and its a great song and cd. Thanks Colt
- colt wooden
Laid off Detroit
I got to say what a great song frist and for most. My story and as bad as some and im young enough to rebound and my heart goes out to all the people in my position now. Well i was a desiel tech at w.w.williams finly the job I have always wanted good money good place work could finly help my family out. Well i went down with knee surgery for about 4 mouths. Finly got back to work everything was going good started to get bills caught up was trying to help my mom so she didnt lose her car and her house. Well about 2 maybe 3 mouths back to work they pull me in the office and lay me off. So now im tryin to find a desiel job they just aint hearing in columbus so now im left with fileing bankruptcy and tryin to make sure my mom dont get put out. So when you say shuttin detroit down i hear ya cause thats what i work on was detroit desiels. I thought that it was one of the jbs that was good and you always goin to need but it looks like in this time of hurt nothing is a for sure thing. I mean i went from $500 a week to $188 i was only there a year and about 6 mouths so i under stand i was at the bottom and i know theres people in alot worse then i am i just want to say to everybody stay storng and have faith it will work out hopefully. Also thanks again jhon for the song it means alot and its a great song and cd. Thanks Colt
- colt wooden
laid off detroit
I got t say what a great song frist and for most. My story and as bad as some and im young enough to rebound and my heart goes out to all the people in my position now. Well i was a desiel tech at w.w.williams finly the job I have always wanted good money good place work could finly help my family out. Well i went down with knee surgery for about 4 mouths. Finly got back to work everything was going good started to get bills caught up was trying to help my mom so she didnt lose her car and her house. Well about 2 maybe 3 mouths back to work they pull me in the office and lay me off. So now im tryin to find a desiel job they just aint hearing in columbus so now im left with fileing bankruptcy and tryin to make sure my mom dont get put out. So when you say shuttin detroit down i hear ya cause thats what i work on was detroit desiels. I thought that it was one of the jbs that was good and you always goin to need but it looks like in this time of hurt nothing is a for sure thing. I mean i went from $500 a week to $188 i was only there a year and about 6 mouths so i under stand i was at the bottom and i know theres people in alot worse then i am i just want to say to everybody stay storng and have faith it will work out hopefully. Also thanks again jhon for the song it means alot and its a great song and cd. Thanks Colt
- colt wooden
Desperate Dairy Producers
John, Thank you! Your song has been a huge inspiration! When I listen to it I cry and I get even more pissed off and frustrated! I'm a 4th generation dairy farmer from SE MN on my parents farm started in 1889 by my great grandfather. It is an honor to work the same soil my family has shed blood, sweat, and tears over for the past 120 years! But now I'm in a position where I may lose it all because of corporate greed and lack of government interest in the security of your food supply! From 1942 to 1952 farmers were paid 100% parity for there agricultural commodities they produced which in turn is processed into the food sitting on the store shelves! The WWII debt was paid off in two years! What happened? In 1952 the Eisenhower administration took farm commodities which are grain, livestock, and dairy off the parity pricing scale! Parity has gone up and prices farmers receive and the national economy has gone down! Today I am only getting paid 25% parity and that's about a 1/3 of what it cost me to produce the milk!!! Farmers must be paid more towards parity for them to survive but more so that the blue collar workers can go back to work! Agriculture is the only thing that can turn this country around because of the new wealth it produces! Thanks again John! Anthony W. Loken, Dairy Farmer
- Anthony Loken
Me and my American Made Car
I own a Saturn L200 and it's fully loaded. My friend Matt owns a Oldsmobile Achieva. My friend Bronson owns a Chevrolet Silverado. Then my friend Ben, owns a Toyota Celica. He has been forced to buy foreign car because of the tough times.
- Nick S.
One Big Thank You John
My dad worked for Ford Motor Company for 28 years until he forced to retired. Still had one kid in school and supporting a family. It is a crying shame what is happening to the automotive industry. It is about time that somebody said something about what is happening with this country. It really PISSES me off that people like the Ceo of these big companies are getting the big bonus checks and the little guy is barely getting by. We are lucky that my boyfriend has a job only for several months of the year. Then comes winter he is out of a job (stay away from Home Depot they cut your hours to maybe one or two days a week). I have been looking for work for now going on two years and handling a disable child on top of it. Why don't the ceo of the big three work like the guys in the factories and see how they like going into work and get told that you no longer have job. They couldn't support a family on a little guy salary. If it ain't the banks going to the government for a hand out it is the automotive industry going to the government for a hand out, but the taxpayers end up with the bill. It is about time that the companies put themselves in this mess then it is up to them get themselve out not the taxpayers.
- novella
Detroit Pride
I was born and grew up in Detroit. All the boys who graduated from high school went to work for one of the big three.Good jobs.Good pay. Good benefits. Detroit was thriving to the beat of our music, Motown.We were not sad or ashamed to be from Detroit Motor City.We were proud. Then all the jobs went to China, Mexico, Asia and the boys who graduate from high school nowadays go to work for McDonalds. Or Walmarts. Low Pay. No Benefits. We now are retired and live near a large air force base in the south. What do these soldiers drive????? Foreign/Japenese cars. Isn't that shameful? What do Americans need to do to get it into our heads to support our own country and its work force? Your song made me cry. I watched it on the computer 6 times in a row. I hope the message in your music will wake up the consumers in the USA. My children work hard for their $7 an hour. They don't have medical insurance for themselves or their families.My daughter has epilepsy and has to sit at the free clinic evry month to get her meds. My grandchildren don't have a chance in this country as it is now.Detroit was a wonderful city. Come see it now.
- Suzanne Walcheck
One Big Thank You John
My dad worked for Ford Motor Company for 28 years until he forced to retired. Still had one kid in school and supporting a family. It is a crying shame what is happening to the automotive industry. It is about time that somebody said something about what is happening with this country. It really PISSES me off that people like the Ceo of these big companies are getting the big bonus checks and the little guy is barely getting by. We are lucky that my boyfriend has a job only for several months of the year. Then comes winter he is out of a job (stay away from Home Depot they cut your hours to maybe one or two days a week). I have been looking for work for now going on two years and handling a disable child on top of it. Why don't the ceo of the big three work like the guys in the factories and see how they like going into work and get told that you no longer have job. They couldn't support a family on a little guy salary. If it ain't the banks going to the government for a hand out it is the automotive industry going to the government for a hand out, but the taxpayers end up with the bill. It is about time that the companies put themselves in this mess then it is up to them get themselve out not the taxpayers.
- novella
Detroit Pride
I was born and grew up in Detroit. All the boys who graduated from high school went to work for one of the big three.Good jobs.Good pay. Good benefits. Detroit was thriving to the beat of our music, Motown.We were not sad or ashamed to be from Detroit Motor City.We were proud. Then all the jobs went to China, Mexico, Asia and the boys who graduate from high school nowadays go to work for McDonalds. Or Walmarts. Low Pay. No Benefits. We now are retired and live near a large air force base in the south. What do these soldiers drive????? Foreign/Japenese cars. Isn't that shameful? What do Americans need to do to get it into our heads to support our own country and its work force? Your song made me cry. I watched it on the computer 6 times in a row. I hope the message in your music will wake up the consumers in the USA. My children work hard for their $7 an hour. They don't have medical insurance for themselves or their families.My daughter has epilepsy and has to sit at the free clinic evry month to get her meds. My grandchildren don't have a chance in this country as it is now.Detroit was a wonderful city. Come see it now.
- Suzanne Walcheck
detroit my journey
my story begins in 1994 i quit my job at copperweldsteel because they were in bankropp proceddings my brother in laws name was drawn from an lotto for e mployment at gm an because copperweld was in bankrupsky i took the job. the job was at packard electric in warren ohio. the pay scale started at 55% of what the traditional people made.at that point in my life my son was in 11 grade and my daughter was 10 grade . the pay from the mill was 20000 more than gm but i know after10 years i would make traditional wages. after a 10 year climb i made full scale it only lasted 2 yrs then delphi went bankrupt in the paper they said we made to much money . they never quoted our climb to the top of the pay scale . after bankrupts we lost 40% of our wages @60% of our benefits . 2 yrs later we were offered the opertunity to flow back to gm we all went back to gm gecause we got our money back plus full benefits. but because we were hired in 2008 they only reconise our plant time as this year so almost 400 people who are older than the people working are laid off at this time . after all these years you would think we deserve a fare share to make qualty cars and the opertunity to retirue tim welch
- tim welch
cls81660@aol.com
This is just a THANK YOU, for getting to the heart of this country's problems. I know this song touches alot of unemployed AMERICANS. I hope in my heart that everything will turn out for the best for everyone affected in this time of termoil. God Bless the AMERICANS in the USA.
- Cindy
Shutin Kansas Down
First off I want to thank you for this song and all the attention it has brought to the plight of the american worker. I worked for the largest oem wheel manufacture in america. Last august the company announced that they were shutting our plant down and moving most of our operration to Mexico. I was one of the last to be layed-off and lost my job a week before christmas. Our town lost over 600 jobs and they were the best paying jobs in our area. Since then I have not been able to find work all the good paying jobs you have about 200 applications for one opening. And other jobs don't pay enough to pay the bills. I'm better off on unemployment. But I'm 49 yrs old and I've worked since I was about 12 so I'm having trouble dealing with the situation.
- Lou
Pride in our fathers
Patriotism is an easy word to use. It used to have meaning and was used sparingly, as if it evoked something sacred, worthy of dignity. Over the years the word has become so watered down that its real meaning has been lost. It is more than simply loving your coutry. It is something deeper, something that cant be easily named, perhaps because it is bigger than the people who would use it and here is where the real meaning lies. True patriots know the word carries profound, and heavy responsibility that doesnt stop at the voting booth or the tax season. It is a way of living your life to honor what yoour forefathers have given up and given us. It is not the country we honor when we are true patriots it is what the country made of the people who came before us, what it made of our fathers and grand fathers and those who are to us only distant echoes of memory. It is time we reclaimed the real meaning and all that goes along with it and your song, and I truelly believe your honest feelings behind it are a fitting place to start. Thank you...
- Tory Quinton
Outraged Michigan Boy
Hey John, First of I just wanted to thank you for making a great song and doing more to voice the opinions of all of us everyday Americans. This song really, really hits home with me, being born and raised in southeast Michigan and with my mother being a GM employee, I remember just this week one of her friends was, just like in your video marched out of her office crying by security and to the front door. This kind of thing makes me sick, our government (and I use the term loosely) not giving a DAMN about helping the companies and the people that helped win WWII by building tanks and airplanes to fight for our freedom now saying that they'd rather give money to the banks...if it weren't for our nations auto industry in the 1940's they may not be an America like there is today. I'm just glad that my grandfather who spent years of his life fighting in WWII isn't around to see how the government shows its gratitude to those who helped defend it.
- Greg
Thank You from CA
Thank you for this song. Thank you for being the voice for so many...so many that aren't being heard. Thank you for reminding everyone of all the good people in our country that are feeling the effects of the poor judgment of a few. There are so many personal feelings and experiences this song brings up for me. Just...Thank you. Stephanie Thompson
- Stephanie Thompson
New To This, Scared As Hell Of This...
First of all, wow. I was listening to your live interview on KNCI here in Sacramento, CA what was it? 9 days after you laid that song down? Listening to it then gave me the chills. I saw parts of the video last night on Hannity which prompted me to visit your site and watch it's entirety... I now have tears to go along with those chills. I am in my late 20's, and regretfully have not followed politics as much as I should have. My fiance has since opened my eyes to it's importance, and all of these shameful acts that have gone on since the Obama Administration has forced my eyes open even wider. I do not know anyone personally affected by the Automotive Industry layoffs, but I just wanted to give a huge thank you for putting to sincere and heartfelt words what all true Americans should be feeling right now.
- Lindsay
Life Changes Everything
hey John Rich and fans my name is william huddleston and i have been throught a lot in the past few months, from loosing my best friend age 14 to cancer, and moving out of the small town of Van West Virginia to McConnelsville Ohio. im writing because i just want to say that Shutting Detroit Down has changed my life when i first herd it i cryed because it's just a song that makes people cry. this story is ture because if you look at the country of the USA were failing fast. in Boone County Wv the community is failing because of the money issues and the Coal Mines Layoff's. but what im trying to say is Mr. Rich your song changed my life because it has heart in it Thanks Love Your # 1 Fan In Morgan County Ohio William Huddleston
- William Huddleston
#1 with a Bullitt
Thank you John for this most inspiring song. Being a former employee of GMAC and having co-workers, friends wondering what will happen to their pensions and insurances makes me sad. I drive the streets in my town and I watch it slowly dying. Makes even the toughest of us weep. I've often heard it said that the world belogs to the haves at the expense of the havenots. I watch TV and there are shopping shows selling jewelry and stuff we would all love to have but will never possess. We are lucky if we have a roof over our heads and a peanut butter sandwich to eat. Thank God for bringing your music to us. I hope it wakes up the spirit in our fellow citizens, makes the rich aware of the cost to the working man their greed has taken this country and I hope it hits Obamas ears and he will help the people who put him in office. You will win many awards this year Mr. Rich! Christine H.-see you at the NYS Fair!
- Christine Henderson
Shut Obama Down!
John, Thank-you so much for writing that song and voicing my opinion but most of all for taking a stand. You have guts which makes a great leader. I am watching the video on GAC as I write this e-mail. I have a family member who works for one of the big three and is the hardest working young person I know. I will just say he literally goes above and beyond the call of duty. I have another family member who works for a supplier of one of the big three. I also have a cousin who's husband works for one of the big three. They are three people who represent all three companies. I am the daughter of a missouri farmer who earned an honest dollar all of his life and a texas woman who taught her family to always keep the faith. I am sad to watch Mr. Obama(notice I didn't say President) steal dollars through taxes to forward an agenda that does absolutely nothing for americans. There are children dying while he is living it up. I like to call myself a practicing Irish Catholic. I volunteer along with my disabled client of whom I am a caregiver to help various organizations around the city solely because it's the right thing to do especially during this economic crisis. I see Obama volunteer for only one day and it makes me laugh till I want to puke. Phony! I hope Americans awake and smell the coffee. He is shutting Detroit down, so let's shut him down! You deserve better! Aaron Tippin sang a song that says "you've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything, you've got to be your own man, not a puppet on a string, never compromise what's right, or uphold your family name, you've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything." Stand Up America! Shut Obama Down!
- Theresa
Reuild with nothing
I am 51 years old Married to a man that now has Alzhimers.Two KIds in still in school 19&22 depending on mom to get another job to help pay rent. I have no leads and I have been manager all my lfe, Working 2 jobs 22 years or longer. When the gas prices went up my savings went fast then 1/09/09 I was Laid off. $22.00 hr to 300.00 week. ouch!! I could go on but why, so many have it bad. I just have to rebuild with noting. I HAVE GOD I KNOW I WILL BE OK. Thank you for your song, It helps in times like this Remember to help someone else, I now have time and thankful for everyone that God puts in my path to help. Thanks again Dee Tines
- Dee Tines
Just to say thank you
My wife and I saw you on Hannity tonight. We just want to say thank you for being a patriot and for all you are doing. We need more people like you to stand up for the common folks and for our country. The new administration in D.C. is taking us downhill fast. We must bring jobs back to the USA by reducing the burden, paper work, and taxes on companies and small business. We were going to buy a foreign car, but after seeing your video, we will now only buy American. Thank you and God bless you.
- Jesse Botello
Hanging on by a thread
Thank you John Rich for being a voice for so many who can not seem to be heard. As the wife of a truck driver this economic mess started affecting us over a year ago, as I talk to my husband on the phone each day I hear the fear and frustration in his voice.It is a tradgedy that a man has to end his daily phone conversation to his wife with "I am sorry honey I couldn't make enough money today". At 50 years old he should not have to pay for the mistakes of the greedy. I worry about his health physically and emotionally, watching the new video really hits home for me. I voted, I have continued to speak my opinion anywhere I am able, at least I still have that freedom...but I fear we won't have it for long. I will continue to pray for a miracle for all of the hard working Americans as well as for our family...Please John Rich keep up the good work and thank you again for being a strong voice for so many of us. God Bless You Kelly Keller
- Kelly Keller
"Detroit" story in Oregon
My husband works for a car parts depo here in Oregon. He has been there about 11 years and we have built our life around his job. This video really touched me. Just a few weeks ago we learned that he has a problem with his heart. It has been very stressfull since we are also a one income family with 2 small children. I pray for everyone out there with a "Detroit" story (regardless of where they actually live)...God Bless...
- JL
former ford autoworker
Let me start by saying thank you John for such a great song.Its amazing that a song that only took a hour to write is now the anthem to hard working blue collar workers of this country.Im a former ford factory worker that worked at the atlanta assembly plant for 12 yrs,its been closed for almost 3 years now.With the best work force in the world.We won many awards for being the best plant ,another plant closed here near atlanta (it was a GM plant).If you flew into hartsfield you probably seen my old plant or whats left of it cause its being demolished. Its hard to explain being a autoworker,its very hard work and the best part is the closeness you have with your co-workers or as we called it our ford family. Just as you are im sickened by all this bull poop i see on tv everday.I lost a job i had planned to retire from,but you know what shit happens and you have to move on.I will not feel sorry for myself and ask for the government to help me out.I have american pride and a strong back and not afraid to break a sweat.So ill be just fine.
- Greg
Finally a Voice
I am disabled, All of our children have had to move home due to job loss, my 89year old mother lives with us, my husband is about to lose his job, and we were caught in the housing bubble and are about to lose our home, and for the first time I have hope from John Rich. Thank you for your voice and proclaiming the truth through your song. We no longer feel alone and we finally feel heard. Thank you
- Robin
Stand Up And Fight
I as an American am apalled at what our Government stands for anymore. I am putting in a request on this site for every American to read the Declaration of Independence and fight forward to take back control of our government, meaning...."WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT". as stated in the Declaration of Independence. Remember these words and act on them NOW.... "All Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness"; further the Declaration states this most important issue which is our POWER and WEAPON to fight back: It states..."THAT THE PEOPLE EMPOWER THE GOVERNMENT TO SECURE THESE RIGHTS AND, WHEN THE GOVERNMENT FAILS TO DO SO, THE PEOPLE HAVE NOT ONLY A RIGHT BUT ALSO A DUTY TO OVERTHROW IT. My message to all concerned Americans......Stand UP AND FIGHT!!
- Garnet Raby
Thank You
I just wanted to say Thank You! I love your song! I will be buying the cd. It is truly heartbreaking. I hope this song will help bring the real people of America together and we can somehow begin to really fight this mess together. I agree with a previous poster, it should be song of the year! The words are amazing, and thank you for remembering the farmers because with this generation (my generation) we are going to need all the wisdom of the current farmers to exist in 20 years. With all the added taxes and bailouts on wall street, it's scary, and nice to know that someone cares. I think this song helps people to know that they are not alone. Bless Detroit and all Americans facing these hard times. Thanks from Kentucky! Keep up the good work!
- Stephanie Hacker
Shutting the World Down
The "politicians" aren't just shutting down Detroit and you are making that well known with this song. My husband worked for a big firm in North Carolina for about 2 years, I know it wasn't long but it was supposed to be longer. We had been looking to buy our own home since we have two children school aged that needed their own rooms and space and a place to really call home. My husband asked his company how his position looked that he was looking into buying a home, they told him he was fine to go ahead and purchase the house. Well we did and 3 months later they fired him. They said he didn't fit in with their plans. Now we are too far behind in the mortgage to catch ourselves up and have had to give up our dependable newer cars for used ones that will get us from point a to point b. I think you have really opened up a lot of people's eyes as to what is going on in this world because it's not just happening in the US, it's happening everywhere. I'd like to say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for this song.
- South Carolina Gal
Oregon Loggers suffer too
AIways loved Mickey and Kris, love your song! It has brought tears to my eyes. Your music translates well to all of us! The loggers or as they are being called Ax-Men have suffered for 20 years due to the governments rules and regulations to save trees that will eventually die, birds, frogs and now a slug....Hello families are trying to make an honest living and our government is closing our national forests due to a spotted Owl, a red frog and an endangered slug, some mornings they can't start work until 8:00am due to a nesting bird. Our childrens educations here in Oregon are suffering because there are no forest tax dollars to support them. My husband has been logging for almost 40 years, this year has been the Worst we have endured. He works 6 days a month. He is 56 years old, who is going to invest time to train him to work another job as they are dong for the Wall Street workers that lost their jobs and if I may add we have no health insurance and no life insurance his employer had to cancel them at the beginning of this year. President Obama has just signed a bill that closes even more of our forests to cultivating so people can drive thru or hike and admire the dying trees. we live in scary times and this nation of God loving, hard working people need a break. Let's have more TEA Parties and remember IN GOD WE TRUST
- Marcia
A Sickened Navy Wife
I do not live in Michigan, and I am not from there, my roots grew in Colorado, however I am a Navy wife and your song still speaks volumes to me. The current administration is not only "Shutting Detroit Down" it is cripling the Military. I am sickened every time I hear the numbers on the TARP bill, Omunous bill, and the Stimulus bill, I want to scream more when I hear what type of programs our money is going to. While Wall Street, the banks, dishonest, lazy, and irresponsible people are getting trillions of dollars and government aid, the military is taking a huge budget cut. I am very glad to see that not all of "Hollywood" or the entire entertainment buisiness has lost there mind, and soul. Thank you for using your status to make all of our voices heard. Sincerly, Angela
- Angela
Retired in St. Louis
Mr.John Rich, I want to thank you for your great song about hard working AMERICAN people.I retired in December of 2008 after working at Chrysler for 36 years. Now one plant is closed and they are talking about closing the other plant. The big corporations always want the union side to give up wages and benefits. And yet they don't want to give up anything . Now they want to take part of our pensions too. I am 57 years old. I just think its a shame that you work hard all those years for retirement and it might be taken away. -Betty Coffman
- Betty Coffman
Thank You!
A simple note to say Thank You for this song and this video and for being able to say what so many of us feel and don't have a platform to express it! I'm not really sure what the hell has happened to our wonderful country in such a very short period of time, but I do know that the direction that we are headed is definitely the wrong one! It does amaze me how someone who has never owned or even run a business, has a very questionable past and really is not qualified to clean the bathrooms at the White house is now running the country! And if you look at the damage already done by him in the past 3 months to undermine our military, our financial system and now our National security, I can't even begin to imagine what this country will look like a year from now! I keep thinking this is a bad dream. Anyway, thank you for this song and speaking for the rest of us! PS Even Though I'm a Metal head from Los Angles, We Are Definitely On The Same Page!
- Steve Russo
Thank You, John
Thank you John for giving us all a song all WORKING AMERICANS can relate to. It seems that the people of this great land who have done the most to serve this country are paying the price once again. I served my country honorably and I am now disabled vet. Tho disabled, I work a part time job because I refuse to sit on my butt. My wife, Anna, went to nursing school shortly after 9-11 for the sole purpose of going to work at a veterans hospital to care for our boys returning from war. She now is employed at a VA hospital in Asheville, NC. We work hard and we know we are very fortunate to have jobs when many do not. What the Obama liberal CRONIES are doing to this country is a crime. Hard working people are losing thier jobs so that illegal immigrants and rich fat cat CEOs can reap the rewards. Hopefully with songs like yours as well as people voicing thier anger constructivly, we can turn things around. God Bless you John.
- Jim & Anna
A Lot To Say
I am 36 years old and have been working in the food distribution industry for 14 years and it to is beeing affected by the economy. My wife and I have allways been a big supporter of the American Auto Market and always will. If John Rich can get this kind if outcome why don't we see more of the "important" people in this country speaking out and making a differance? Mr. Oboma listen to America we have a lot to say....
- Keith Vensland
A slow painful death
Watching what is happening to Detroit is like watching a loved one die a slow painful death. Midwest industry is the backbone of what made this country great, and it is amazing that it is greed, one of the seven deadly sins, that is taking it down. I am glad that my grandfather (a proud lifetime Dodge worker) is not alive to see this. Keep your courage Detroit-people, it's not over until there are no more Coney Island hotdog places left. More onions please, I'm rooting for you and the the Tigers this year (and every year). Great song, someone had to do it, its about time. Thank you.
- Karen
Thank You
I just wanted to say Thank You! I love your song! I will be buying the cd. It is truly heartbreaking. I hope this song will help bring the real people of America together and we can somehow begin to really fight this mess together. I agree with a previous poster, it should be song of the year! The words are amazing, and thank you for remembering the farmers because with this generation (my generation) we are going to need all the wisdom of the current farmers to exist in 20 years. With all the added taxes and bailouts on wall street, it's scary, and nice to know that someone cares. I think this song helps people to know that they are not alone. Bless Detroit and all Americans facing these hard times. Thanks from Kentucky! Keep up the good work!
- Stephanie Hacker
END TIMES/JESUS IS COMING!!!
I love the U.S.A.& thank God for the blessing of being born here.This is all in Gods hands.Have faith in him&his son.Remember,IN GOD WE TRUST.This world holds nothing for us.Have faith in him.GOD BLESS ALL!
- William A. Gaines
shutting detroit down
DEAR JOHN RICH, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR A TREMENDOUS SONG THAT DESCRIBES DETROIT AND WHAT PEOPLE ARE GOING THROUGH HERE IN DETRIOT AND MICHIGAN. MY FATHER WORKED FOR GM FOR 39 YEARS AND RETIRED IN 1995 AND I THANK GOD THAT HE DID NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THESE BAD TIMES LIKE SO MANY ARE TODAY. I HAVE BEEN A AUTOMOTIVE DESIGNER SINCE GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL IN 1982 AND HAVE FELT THE PAIN AND DISCUSS THAT SO MANY HERE HAVE ALSO, WAS LAYED OFF IN 2000 FOR 14 MONTHS WHEN THE ECONOMY FIRST TOOK THE PLUNGE, GOT BACK ON A CHRYSLER PROGRAM FOR 5 MONTHS AND WAS LAYED OFF IN 2001 JUST BEFORE I MARRIED FOR THE FIRST TIME. THIS LAYOFF LASTED THREE YEARS, COULD NOT FIND A JOB ANYWHERE DOING ANYTHING HERE IN MICHIGAN, THE ONLY JOBS WERE SIDE JOBS THAT I COULD DO IN CARPENTRY BUILDING DECKS,FENCES,SHEDS,FINISHED BASEMENTS ECT... BUT IT WAS NOT STEADY DAY TO DAY WORK BECAUSE NO ONE HAD THE MONEY AS TIMES WERE GETTING TOUGH, IT GOT US BY FOR AWILE AS THE WIFE WAS WORKING ALSO BUT SOON THE BILLS WERE PILING UP. EVENTUALLY IT HIT HARD AND WAS FORCED TO FILE FOR BANCKRUPTY, THANK GOD THE MARRIAGE LASTED!BUT STILL WAS NO WORK TO BE HAD HERE. HAD A DESIGNER FRIEND WHO WAS LAYED OFF AND FOUND A JOB IN AIRCRAFT DESIGN IN LITTLE ROCK ARK. DECIDED TO GO DOWN WITH HIM EVEN THOUGH I DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE MICHIGAN AND MY WIFE, SINCE SHE HAD A JOB HERE. WORKED THERE FOR A YEAR AND WENT TO WICHITA KANSAS FOR A YEAR THEN TO PHILADELPHIA PENNSYLVANIA FOR 6 MONTHS, WELL IM BACK IN MICHIGAN,UNEMPLOYED,STILL MARRIED! IVE BEEN DEPRESSED,VERY DEPRESSED FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS OR SO BUT HANGING IN THERE ON HOPES THINGS WILL CHANGE???,BUT NOT AS BAD AS OTHERS HERE IN MICHIGAN, AND AROUND THE COUNTRY, PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS, HOMES, LIVLYHOOD.THERE ARE PEOPLE HERE WORSE OFF THAN I HAVE EXPRIENCED, AND MY HEART GOES OUT TO THEM.GOD BLESS THEM ALL.ONCE AGAIN JOHN,THANKS FOR THE SONG THAT SO MANY OF US HARD WORKING PEOPLE HERE HAVE LIVED THROUGH AND NEED THE REST OF THE COUNTRY AND ESPECIALLY OUR POLITITIANS TO HEAR YOUR SONG- (THERE SHUTTING DETROIT DOWN)
- john davey
I Needed that cry
Mr Rich Thanks so much... First time I saw shutten Detroit down I balled like a baby and that ant something I do. 3 mounths ago they closed the doors at my Chrylser plant in Newark Delaware,I humped that line for 29 years, My father, his his brothers and there father all retired UAW. That song really made me see and feel what just happend to me, I'd been holden it all in.. and to know that other people might see and feel whats going on in the lives of worken people and Auto workers... your song makes me proud. Now I know us country boys can survive. Yes things are changeing, we'll all see how those CEO's, white shirts and rich folks fare when the bottom drops out and there hands are worthless... GOD Bless America Michael Knorr : GUS :
- Michael : GUS; Knorr
The Ford Family
My family story begins with the birth of Ford Motor Co. Since that day my immediate family has had someone working for the great automaker. Come July 1 2009 after four generations and over a combined century of service a MacDonald will no longer work for Ford Motor. I did not know my great-grandfather who started the tradition, but my grandfather "Big Mac" lied about his age so he could begin working. He retired after overseeing the opening of the Ford Motor Glass Plant in Tulsa, OK and 35 years of dedicated service. All five of his sons worked at some point at the plant and two of them made it their career, each logging 30 plus years of service. One of those sons was my father, John, who was nearing 34 years of service at the age of 52. Before I go any further, understand that I have great respect and appreciation for all that Ford Motor and the UAW have provided me and my family. My father earned an honest wage for honest work and had great benefits that helped further my education and help ensure my health. With that said, my father was going through this hell for 3 years before the economy depressed. Ford was spinning off the glass plant and it had gone through different companies, all the while he managed to remain a Ford Motor employee. The latest change came at the end of 2007 when a local investor stepped in to save the plant. My father was told he would have to interview to stay employed and lose his seniority, not to mention the pay and benefit cuts. My dad tried to stay positive because he had his full pension and benefits to protect him, while many did not. On January 11, 2008, after missing a duck hunt with his best friends and fellow employees my father was found dead of heart-attack in his bedroom. I do not blame Ford or anyone else for this but I honestly believe that the stress caused by the auto industry collapsing and the uncertainty my father was facing was a trigger. John Rich's song is a family anthem to me, it is like he wrote the song specifically about my dad. I appreciate the honest portrayal of the loyal hard working UAW employees and cannot help but shed a tear anytime I hear it. Thanks for the wonderful song.
- Jared
shutting down DET.
your song is great to think there is people out there that may not have to worry about money brings tears to my eyes you rock john my city is so emety that it seems like a gosttown i live in wayne mi. just out side the big D many many empy house every where be stripdown for there scrape i cant help to think that is how children are being feed and are great GOV. think the fall of AMERICA is because of the working people HA!HA! its because of greed of the RICH that want it all screw the little person they think.people need to deman made in AMERICA.children see no hope in this country because they have to live at home no job money or futher this is so sad bring back all our jobs toymakers,bicylemakers,carmakers,you name it we can make it better the list goes on an on lets pick up our tools and get to work GOD BLESS AMERICA we can do it.i was raise that if you work hard you would have the AMERICA DREAM!!!bring the jobs back!!!
- terry blackburn local900retire
true believer
hi john. your song hit it right on. i am not as bad off as most people, but here it is. started a good job 9/2/09. got hurt on the job and ended up getting fired. pissed and hurt doesn`t begin yo describe how i feel. we were going to begin manufacturing the a/c units for the freedom towers in n.y. city. i am a vv veteran and couldn`t be more proud to do my part to rebuild america. i truely feel for others who are getting taken apart by all of this stupidity. saw your vidio of "shutin detroit down" and it brought tears to my eyes. i really feal for all those who have suffered because of all of this crap. i love our country and i feel we are being sold down the the'ol shitter. when i raised my right hand and took that oath when i enlisted, i still believe andfeel the same way today. i am scared to death of what is happening to our country. she does not deserve this betrayal that our own government is doing to her.john,like you said yesterday, i am damn pissed off. i feel good that we have two awsome congess people from our state in john kline and michele bachman from here in mn.two of the few that are trying to do what is right. to all those who are suffering and trying there damndest to survive, i salute you. let our voices be heard and hope we can make the change that needs to done.
- ron
Americans will not give up
Thank you John Rich for expressing your views which represent so many Americans! I work in a factory and wonder everyday if it will be the day when the cuts will get to me. I work with many people that have worked with another large American company and were layed off after 20+ years of service to them. Their jobs went to Mexico and now they are looking at the same scenario unfolding again. These men and women are hard workers and make the company a better place. Your song is a tribute to these fine men and women and it is time to stand up against this administration and let real Americans take this country back. Many of us are struggling to pay the bills, or not paying them at all who have worked hard all of our lives, the last thing we need is trillions more in tax burdons placed on us. God bless you and I am thrilled with your success!!!
- Kevin Campbell
100 years till now
My husband is 1/4 Cherokee Indian, and 1/2 Armenian and 1/4 Irish. So we know what its like to be persecuted. And that is what it has felt like being a GM worker this year. After Paulson mis-handled the Bail Out Money,and simply handed the crooks the cash, someone had to take the fall. Enter the Big Three and the UAW. Jealousy, resentment, and an angry Mob was looking to blame a real live group for thier economic woes. And after a couple of years of $4.00 a gallon gas, and crooked mortgage lenders, crashing stocks and bankqrupt 401K's, the mob had to have a group to blame. So right after the economic fall, there was no one to jail, no one to take the blame. Why not blame the Union workers. And take down the best of the best GM Chrysler and Ford. The American car makers, well the public taste has turned to more trendy forgeign models. Lets just bag um and tag um. Get that bloated Big Three and the Union workers, they are why we are all in trouble. Well guess what, those workers they are all of us. They are not the enemy. They are the backbone. And when you break your back you are in big trouble, and we all are. Now years later we realize we let the American Indian down. But when the cavalry was chasing them thru to the desert and the mountains, public opinion said they the Red Man was the enemy. Americans still haven't learned thier lessons. When the Armenians were being masacered by the Turks in 1910 no one came to thier aide either. We in America just looked away. So my husband has retired with a rich history of people behind him.He is the last of three generations of GM workers, his grandfather his Dad and his brother. Now he is a proud member of a dying breed, the American Blue Collar worker. A UAW man. We don't even know if he will still have his pension a month from now. In his Union paper this month it has the obituary's of three men who died in the plants from working alone on overloaded jobs, one fell in a hole another crushed by a pile of steel,the other hit working in an unsafe zone. These are not lazy people, and they are your neighbor, your cousin, maybe like me your husband or wife. We need to stop persecuting the wrong people. This country needs to pull together, have some compassion, and stop blameing anyone, and just help one another get through these times. Lets hope the last one out the door does not shut the lights out on Detroit. I am praying it does not happen. God Bless You All Carol Blanchard a very , very proud UAW General Motors wife.
- Carol Blanchard
anoverview
Its amazing how a terrible economy can ruin everything a person has worked for there whole life. From the employee to the small business person. A late payment increase your credit card interest rate. A few missed mortgage payments and you may loss your house. We invest every month in our 401K or retirement plan for years and we not only lose our profit we lose half of our investment in just 6 months. And to cap it all off our government keeps alive the very people that caused the problem. The only thing that helps me everyday is to realize that I am not alone in all this. Good Luck to everyone. Bill Spencer Myrtle Beach, SC
- Bill Spencer
Shuttin MILWAUKEE DOWN
HARLEY-DAVIDSON is doing the same thing to their workers. Your song really touched me. People, we need to fight back. We were told in Jan. that 1100 would be terminated by May, now it is April and we are told 300-400 more will go by July. Our CEO got a 26% raise last year, he is retiring with who knows how much bonus, after falling profits and stock prices. Nobody knows who and when they will be terminated. Meanwhile they have created 2 more exec VP positions for their cronies. The people that believed the BS that "we are family" are being let go without a care. They think they comfort us by saying "Harley will survive through this" and that we can get psych help(DRUGS) to get us through. Are drugs going to make my house payment? Do I care about Harley after they have ruined the rest of my life after bustin my a-- to keep the plant going? Their plan is to close plants and outsource more.
- Greg Robb
Let the Truth Be Told!
Thank you for such an emotional song. My Dad worked 32 years at Buick City in Flint. I remember when he took our family to Autoworld when it was first opened. You could feel the pride in all the autoworkers there. They created the magic that was General Motors. We watched the implosion of Autoworld on TV. The house was silent for a moment, then we felt it shake from the implosion. My Dad past away in 2003. I'm glad he doesn't have to witness the implosion of America. I've worked in the mortgage industry since 1993 trying to keep people in there homes and finding alternatives to foreclosure. The tidal wave of distress has just started. The mortgage companies cannot keep up with need to help people. They are not trained properly and the employees do not have the desire to help. I listen to the 20-something kids they have on the phones berate mortgagors who just want explain their own story. The government is too far out of touch with the "real world" even if Obama does get to keep his blackberry. This country has taken a dark turn and is not the same one I pledged to protect on my tour of Afghanistan. We need to get those clowns out of office and get our country back!
- Jim
An Expert Opinion
John, I am a manufacturing consultant from Granbury, Texas who has worked in Detroit since John Musat invited me up there in 1992. John builds parts that make cars move; powertrain components. His plant, which is located in the city limits of Detroit, doubled productivity, tripled revenue, and even impressed the Japanese with superior product in the 1990's. John was born and raised in Detroit and is as good a person that humanity can provide. Having worked in many industries around the world, I can say your song is greater than you might imagine. The folks in the rust belt are the finest folks you could ever know. It is fact that their hard working efforts were over-taxed by the dilettantes in Washington D.C. and passed onto dilettante bankers. You indeed brought a tear to my eye, as I still go up there and see extremely hearty people holding their chins high while at the same time wondering......It hurts to witness first hand, but your song provides a glimmer of hope. That is all those fine folks need; just a little glimmer. Thank you for having the wisdom for asking for more insight. James Vick, Granbury, Texas
- James Vick
Very real hurting!
Mr. Rich, Thank you for your song and the reality it brings. Even though neither I nor my husband work in the car industry the recession has hit us bad. I was laid off from my job with a lawyer and have not been able to find another job yet. We are being forced to move in with friends because we cannot make ends meet, the hole just keeps getting deeper. We have used everything we had, sold everything we could and still the bills pile up. We need for our government to wake up to the reality of what is happening all across America and start actually helping the working class people instead of stepping on them when they are down. Enough with the bail-outs. Let the chips fall where they will. Thank you again Mr. Rich and please keep bringing the truth to the country. Tracey Virginia
- Tracey
The NRA is my gov.
Listening to your song and seeing the video definitly has hit an emotional cord. The problem now is fear has turned into anger. Your a voice who is not running for office or election and I am expecting more from those like you. How pissed are we? What steps will we take next to take our country back? By any means necessary? You are at the front lines of this tsunami and we need you and others to keep getting on TV raising the bar and applying the pressure. I was stunned initially but now I enjoy being considered an "exstreamist" by a government with no historic consideration. The country is divded more than ever and I am more then happy to pick a side and civily fight for this side. Our #'s are growing fast and the "change" those son of bitches wanted is coming.......... Much respect and hope to see you soon!
- Rich Frost
Kokomo, Indiana
We are an automotive city here in Indiana. We are highly effected by the changes in the auto industry. People need to realize that if these companies are forced into bankruptcy, this whole country will be effected. People often think, "well I don't care, I don't work for the auto industry" but it will affect the shopping centers, restaurants, housing, etc. everything. If we think this country is in bad shape now, I fear what will happen if these companies fail. I am 100% for these CEO's and executives taking responsiblily for letting these companies get in this position. I do believe we should protect the American people and workers. It is not really the workers fault the company execs have let the companies get to this point. I belive that we need to get back to what this country was and is made of. We need to worry a little more about our own people, jobs and over all country and worry a little less about others. It's time to put our own first and foremost. It is time to stand up and voice for what we the American people believe in. Thank you for writing this wonderful song and shooting this very heart touching video. God Bless America and you John Rich!
- Amy
My Dad
My dad is laid off from Ford/Visteon out of Monroe, Mi. He is 59 years old looking to start over. He raised my brothers and I on his hardwork and dedication to the factory. There were times as children we didn't see our Dad because he was working so much overtime and now he left with very little. He has been given a choice take a small buyout or your 39 weeks of unemployment. What is America going to do for all of these dedicated workers that are middle aged, too old to start over and too young to retire. It's sad because my Dad raised and educated me and now I may be supporting my Dad. It is a major ego blow for these men and women who have worked so hard all these years and are left out to dry. Thank you John it is a great song and it says it all. Hopefully the people that need to really hear it do. We need to become a working America again!
- Susan
Kokomo, Indiana
We are an automotive city here in Indiana. We are highly effected by the changes in the auto industry. People need to realize that if these companies are forced into bankruptcy, this whole country will be effected. People often think, "well I don't care, I don't work for the auto industry" but it will affect the shopping centers, restaurants, housing, etc. everything. If we think this country is in bad shape now, I fear what will happen if these companies fail. I am 100% for these CEO's and executives taking responsiblily for letting these companies get in this position. I do believe we should protect the American people and workers. It is not really the workers fault the company execs have let the companies get to this point. I belive that we need to get back to what this country was and is made of. We need to worry a little more about our own people, jobs and over all country and worry a little less about others. It's time to put our own first and foremost. It is time to stand up and voice for what we the American people believe in. Thank you for writing this wonderful song and shooting this very heart touching video. God Bless America and you John Rich!
- Amy
The Truth
Thank God For People like John Rich Saw your interview on Hannity, Thursday evening. You spoke the truth about our failed political parties. Thanks for speaking up with the real truth of what is going on in America. "Shuttin' Detroit Down" is a good example of your guts to stand up for the American Blue Collar worker that Washington seeks to do away with. Clynis Phillips Clintwood, Virginia
- Clynis Phillips
Small Town
I live in a small town out by the desert. There is a Navy base here but you have to have such a high degree to work there. I got my nursing license thinking i could get a job really easy around here. Well i did and not too long after i got a good job my boss was so desprate to get rid of people she made a stupid excuse so that she could fire me and i couldnt collect unemployment. I just found out that i am going to be having another baby in dec. this year.... but the sad thing is that netheir my husband or i can find a job in this small town because they are shutting some of the small buissnesses down here. The song touched my heart because it speaks the truth about what is relly going on, and John Rich is one of the few people out there now that will tell the truth to the American people
- Katrina
Michigan is Hurting
Thank you so much for creating this video. I live in Western Michigan where the unemployment rate is 19.7%. In addition to all of the automotive suppliers who have shut down we have lost paper manufacturers, bowling ball and pool table manufacturers, and furniture manufacturers. I have so many friends who are unemployed and desperately searching for jobs that simply don't exist. I know a woman that needs surgery but can't get it because she has no health care. Anger and frustration are certainly two emotions that have grabbed everyone in the area. But fear is by far the most prevalent. It is just plain scary to live here anymore. Thank you for using your celebrity status to bring attention to the problems here in Michigan and across our nation. You are a good man to do so.
- Rhonda
We love ur song, so touching! mayb some1 will help every1 out someday... we hope
Way to go man..............This song is so true!!!!! people that bust there butts always get the short end of the stick and those people can throw money around like theres no tomorrow when we cant even pay our bill bc everyone who actually works there butts off for a living get laid off and get everything taken away.....were is the farness in this world, what is going to happen to us next. And truly the only place ur safe on jobs is the military and then u are risking ur life for what, hardly no money at all, never with ur family and not know if or when u will ever be able to see them again! Somethings got to change soon before all us not rich and hard working people are gone!!!!! Ur song has touch us and we are glade some1 has showed it as well as u have mayb it will get threw to some1 someday haha or at least we wish....
- sheryl and jackie
My Heart Belongs to Detroit
As the daughter of a autoworker who grew up in southeastern Michigan, I can assure you the country has no idea how true your video is. Actually John you are correct showing evictions, empty towns and even bringing in the emotions and health issues. People in this area are generations of autoworkers, it's all they know. They paid many taxes and union dues included and will have nothing. Most have little higher education or alternative trade. I'm tired of hearing the rederic of how they are overpaid. Maybe on the outside looking in. Someone should show some old videos of Flint Michigan during the strikes, people who lost limbs were heat exhausted just to start. My father gave his life to the plant and a job he started with deteriated his health. He never made full retirement. After he left that same job became the job of 3 people. The wall street people never account that unemployment figures do not reflect those who have exhausted their benefits. The autoworkers do recieve supplements to unemployment but it is limited and will run out as well. Thats if they are lucky enough to collect supplemental benefits before the huge layoffs drain the funds dry. I went through this as a child, and as a adult in that area in the 70's and 80". My birthtown looked like a ghost town. Everything was in termoil. Every business from pizza to movies to even grocery stores suffered huge losses. I can't imagine all 3 auto giants at one time with more permanent changes and the fall out. The industry over the years had already moved many jobs overseas. The union allowed it but never decreased the dues these guys paid them too. People also need to blame the UAW for being sell outs. Does anyone know how many UAW people are going to have all their income cut off in 26 weeks when plants close? Most likely no one.They are as much to blame as anyone. Oh I forgot to mention, calloused hands. My Daddy had those, but guess what another person I knew and most likely plenty more had gotten mesothelomia from plant asbestos. So when the average wall street know it all says Detroit paid too much, and compare salaries, ask them what risks they take in airconditioned filtered offices sitting at desks. I am sick of this. The outreach of this will be felt worse 6 to 12 month from now when all their benefits are gone including goverment unemployment. If they still own a car or house the asset will keep them from getting even food stamps.Thanks for standing up and opening peoples eyes!!!
- Rhonda Sanders
Unemployed Teacher from AZ
The Educational System is shuttin' down in Arizona. Over 5500 teachers have lost jobs - I am one of them. After 16 years of teaching, I was given notice last week that I was being "riffed." I appreciate the words of the song, John, and feel the pain of "auction ground" as we now have to try to sell our house. Please keep being a champion for the regular Americans who are trying to do the right thing everyday and are feeling the pain of this economy.
- S. Evenson
GM Heritage
Hi John; First, THANK YOU! Watching this video I think of my family which was raised by my Grandfather. A GM retiree. He raised 13 children on his hard-earned wage, and several grand-children. He worked many 12 hour days 7 days a week for many years. That job was all he knew. It breaks my heart to see so many hard-working people so lost, and void of hope for the futures of their families. Our jobs are the cornerstones of our lives, when those stones are yanked from our foundations we falter. We need continued support from people like you with your strength and resolve to speak out about what is right and true. So, again I thank you John. And I thank every American Veteran who has ever serve My country with honor and courage. With much love and gratitude, WaDonna in Ohio
- WaDonna Pasco
Detroit in Los Angeles
I watched John on Hannity and went to the website to see the video. Quite a moving experience. I was caught up in feeling what it must be like for those in Detroit. Right up to the scene where they were moving their possessions out of their home. Then it hit me. We lost our home. We lost most of our possessions. Next week my wife will lose her job. Her company (a national chain) is closing her store. She's the top producer and an assistant manger. But they won't offer her more than part time at another store so that they don't have to offer her health insurance and benefits. Shuttin Detroit down is resonating all over the country. Despite the devastating losses, my wife and i remain grateful for what we do have. We have each other after 30+ years of faithful marriage. We have our children and grandchildren. We still live in the greatest country on the planet. It's the people in our lives and our faith in the all mighty that carries us forward. We take responsibility for our consequences. What does anger me most is that in the midst of this financial devastation Congress and the President are spending trillions of dollars without even reading the bills they pass. Our grandson's are both under 1 year old. They're already deep in debt. Thank you John (also Kris and Mickey) for putting a face on the harsh reality. Kris - Your lyrics "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose..." has gained too much meaning.
- Brett
shuttin detroit down
I just watched this video for the first time. It really puts peoples lives in perspective. It's a shame that this kind of stuff is really happening, especially to senior citizens. This was a wonderful video.
- viv
shutin Detroit down
This song really hit home. My husband works for a supplier and our lives depend on the automotive industry. We are watching this state die day by day while the politicians and fat cats carry on with life. It breaks my heart what is happening here. Thank you so much for this song.
- Carol Hunt
shutin Detroit down
This song really hit home. My husband works for a supplier and our lives depend on the automotive industry. We are watching this state die day by day while the politicians and fat cats carry on with life. It breaks my heart what is happening here. Thank you so much for this song.
- Carol Hunt
Comment
I cried watching the video forgetting that Chris is a big star and only remembering him as one of my brothers in arms in Viet Nam. With what is going on maybe one more verse that says something like they are living it up not only on Wall St. but also in D. C. at the working mans (read taxpayers) expense. Hey, I started delivering newspapers at age 11 in Denver and there isn't much worse than pushing that bike loaded with papers in a snowstorm. We need to somehow make the Government about the well being of "We the people" and not their own power and perks!
- Ron Ebert
God bless you, John!
You cannot understand how emotional I was when I saw your Shuttin' Detroit Down for the first time today! My husband just got laid off in December and had a heart attack in the conference room when they told him the news. Although it wasn't in Detroit, he worked for Bridgestone tires based out of your now hometown of Nashville, which is directly related to the automobile industry. When Kris doubled-over with a heart attack in the video, it hit too close to home and I began to cry uncontrolably, thinking of my husband. Thank you for sharing your musical gift with those of us Americans who are truly trying to make it out here in the real world! You are a blessing to listen to and keep us going during these tough economic times! God bless you, John!
- Pam Younkin
Same Story~Different Day
Hello John, I just watched your video, along with your interview with Hannity, what I think, is this, with the amount of people that you and others are associated with, there needs to be some guerilla marketing done on this, put it out in front of all americans, on a continual basis, using commercials, people need to band together and stand strong. Every GMC car should be parked on a highway, truckers should participate, the american economy depends on these people that run these trucks, if we all cant stop the turn of events that is taking place politically ( which we know) is out of our hands at this point, then every average american citizen that is becoming a victem of this out-of-control leadership,needs to exercise their rights. What are "THEY" going to do put all of us in Jail?.... dont think so. People need their jobs, not heart attacks.Any moron should know that certain turn of events are just repercussions of 1st loose the job, then the house cause of no money coming in, then it continues with the housing market has turned to s--t, well doesnt take a rocket scientist ot figure out whats happening here.Bailout the american citizen, not the upper crust that is living high-on the hog. I know you will & can figure out something that ban people together.
- D.C
Tired of crying
I just saw the shuttin Detroit down video for the first time and I think it puts what is going on in this country in perspective better than any thing else I have seen since this mess began. I found myself standing two feet away from my tv watching it as if I was seeing a tragedy unfold on the news. I cried thinking of how many times over that story has happened to hard working Americans that did nothing to deserve what has happened to them. Thank you John for giving your voice to the traditional Americans that are disgusted by the road this country is being taken down. God knows the left has plenty of politicians and media on their side but our side needs more people like you to stand up and give us a voice. I took care of the elderly for thirteen years including too many vetrans to count and what brakes my heart the most about the illegals that are flowing in, the weakness our country is showing the world ,and the disgrace that is our financial system is that this is not what millions of men went off to fight for and lay down their lives for throughout this history of this nation. So many laid down their lives to protect what this country was founded on only to have it be in vein. The politicians are spitting in the faces of every man who ever fought for this country by allowing what is happening. I'm tired of crying and I am ready for this country to go back to the way it once was, a place to be proud of, and a country worth fighting for. I miss the old America.
- Michelle LaRont
All Detroit Americans
Mr John Rich, If I could shake your hand I would. I just want to Thank You for recognizing ALL the Detroit Americans no matter where they are from. You have not forgotten who has made America what it is today. It's called the everyday blue collar worker. And those big shots would not be where they are today if it wasn't for us everyday workers busting our asses for them. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR REMEMBERING ALL OF US WHO WORK HARD EVERYDAY AND BUILD COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Dee Smith
Shutting Detroit Down
Thank you for this song, I work in Detroit. I drive my Ford down Michigan Ave and pass the old Tiger Stadium and look at all of the people there without jobs. If you want to see America and the state our country is in this is the place to do it. I was raised outside of Detroit and have lived here all of my life. My husband is a Network Engineer for a Tier 1 automotive supplier, his company is hanging in there, but for who knows how much longer. He will be taking along with everyone else there 2 weeks in July and 2 weeks in August unpaid along with a 15% pay cut, and I have been cut to part time. I thank God that we still have jobs. I pray that this will turn around soon.
- JS
upsetinupstate
My husband worked at a turnkeyfarm that was in the family for four generations well, they hit hard times with tax increases and costs, and they sold to a corporation out of NY city . The company agreed to keep everyone on and keep business as usual for a yeat. A year to the day my husband along with nearly 100 more were laid off. Some of those guys had been at that farm since they were 16 and are nearly 65 Where are they going to get a job? Thankfully my husband did but in order to afford health insurance I had to go to work too. Your song really affected me the first tome I heard it. It's just seems that these big corporations don't understand that there are people behind the numbers and those people have families and bills. I'm not sure if you will ever read this Mr. Rich but I think you are a very talented and intelligent person. Thank you for your song.
- upsetinupstate
Just Here
i live in south texas, i haven't seen anything yet on the economy going bad. mostly cause mexico is like 5 minutes away so if you can't get it here we go there. Plus all these Mexican companies have been buying out old stores here so i dunno. we seem to be doing fine. our prices down at the walmart are the same, our malls are always full,no store has shut down recently like this year. and i see new cars on the road all the time. My brother who lives out in Asheville tells me about how things are up there and i find it kinda hard to believe since things seem fine down here. Maybe it just hasn't hit us yet, or having Mexico so close is helpful. But aside from all that I don't see.... I still like the song. Its nice to see that JR has set the furcoats, bling and helicopters aside for a second and tried to relate to the common working man. Its an interesting move, but a nice song none the less. well take care ya'll up there, I feel for you.
- Amy
Michigan devastated
Dear Mr. Rich I want to thank you so much for your touching song "Shuttin Detroit Down". I heard it for the first time the other day and it shook my heart, but when I saw the video I cried like a baby. I'm from a small Michigan town where many of our 2,000 residents have worked for the auto industry or a related business. Homes around the area sit empty on lovely dirt roads where their proud working owners once lived. I see friends who cannot make their payments suffering more and more each month and women and children left here in Michigan while their husbands seek work in other states to make ends meet. Then, I turn on the news and watch while our politicians bail out banks and spend our money like we cannot do ourselves! I hope and pray that common sense will make a comeback and that Americans will once again BUY AMERICAN and look around them to see what to do to bring our country back and make its people proud again. I thank you and everyone who appeared in your video and hope that it truly makes a difference.
- Barbara
Detroit
John Rich, i am a 20 year old kid that is really confused in this whole situation but for someone who does try to pay attention to my future and the future of my family i really love this song...it brings about all kinds of fury into my chest but on the other hand it makes me proud to be middle classed because we are the ones that will turn this all around...all i wanted to say is that they first time i heard this song you inspired me to help as many people as i can. we are all in this together and we WILL come out stronger in the end.
- Matthew
A BIG THANKS FROM TEXAS!
Mr. Rich: When I heard your song for the very first time I knew it was something special, a song that speaks to the hearts and tells the story of countless Americans. The thousands that have lost their jobs, their homes, their retirement ... but not their dignity! It is a crying shame indeed! I believe your song will help inspire so many in need of hope, hope for a better tomorrow and brighter future for us all. You make us proud to call Texas home. Keep writing the songs that speak the truth. God Bless! Best to You from San Antonio!!
- Melissa A.
Shutting Detroit Down
Thank you for this song, I work in Detroit. I drive my Ford down Michigan Ave and pass the old Tiger Stadium and look at all of the people there without jobs. If you want to see America and the state our country is in this is the place to do it. I was raised outside of Detroit and have lived here all of my life. My husband is a Network Engineer for a Tier 1 automotive supplier, his company is hanging in there, but for who knows how much longer. He will be taking along with everyone else there 2 weeks in July and 2 weeks in August unpaid along with a 15% pay cut, and I have been cut to part time. I thank God that we still have jobs. I pray that this will turn around soon.
- JS
new beliver
I used to think he (John) was a flamboyant wanta be but after this song he is country. I only wish i could shake his hand and have beer with him. As i have lost everything. I'm just glad he has shown he really is country
- tony dunne
Thank You from Fresno
John, thank you for doing a song that has touch each and every one of us Americans. I don't know if you remember us or not but we are the 2 girls that left their office on the morning that you were at KSS FM in Fresno. We joked about not caring rather we had jobs to go back to or not because it was so important to us to thank you in person for all you do for us in this great USA. And may I say thank you for being so gracious to us and taking the time out of your busy schedule to spend some time with us. The sad part was that we already knew that we were losing our jobs in the next couple of weeks. We worked for a retailer here in Fresno for many years and the company had been in business for over 100 years but with the failing economy they were forced to file bankruptcy and now the liquidators have us and all the stores will be closed by July. This company Gottschalks, was a legend here in Fresno. But now all gone. The corporate offices were closed on April 3rd. As I left the building for the last time and realizing that I would never enter those doors again all I could hang on to was your "Shuttin' Detroit Down". In a very depressing time of everyone's lives you have some how been able to touch our hearts and bring a little sunshine to our lives. Carry on John. You will see 2 very grateful women in the front row at your concerts in California in June. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
- Penny and Donna
Another 1500 jobs gone
I moved from Wisconsin to Illinois to work at keeping Furnas Electric profitable. I'm an engineer and I put a lot of myself into the old family company. It was sold to a conglomerate and long-story-short, it's a flat field of rubble now. I stood in the middle of the rubble and took a pictures and thought I was done with it until I pulled away form the curb and "Detroit" came onthe radio. I pulled over to the curb because the words hit SO on toarget that I couldn't drive and cry that hard. God bless John Rich for writing and singing this. It's gotten to the point where NFL items in NFL licensed stores are all Made in China. Somebody has to realize we need the jobs HERE. John? Thank you !!!
- Rich Smith
GM Baltimore
Mr Rich, My daddy worked 31 years on the Assembly line at theGM Plant in Baltimore City since he was 18 years old. He woke up at 4:30am every day so that my brother and I, and my half brother and sister before us, would have food to eat and clothes to wear. My dad has asthma, but he worked in that diry factory anyway. He gave GM some of the best years of his life. I could go on, but all I have to say is that no matter what happens to that company, we can't let them sons of guns wiggle their way out of taking care of my daddy. He took care of them! Don't let them fool anyone into thinking that they can't pay the pension plans of their retirees. They have plenty of money. thank you mr. rich for this song. My dad loves it. God Bless! -Matthew
- Matthew
Another industry under fire
JR, I want to thank you for your wonderfully powerful song "Shuttin' Detroit Down". Even though my husband is not in the auto industry his job has fallen victim to the recent economic downturn. He is/was employed by a large steel manufacturer here in Alabama and has been laid off the majuority of this year. Now we are told there is a great possibility they will shut the plant down all together. We are fortunate that we have been aware of this possibility for sometime and planned accordingly; however, if he loses this job, where will the next one come from?!?!! I am fortunate that I am still employed and can carry our insurance, if need be but what about the future?!?! Who can afford to save for the future when the present is so uncertain?!!??! I just wanted to applaud you for standing up for the REAL Americans that are suffering due to the greed and ignorrance of the "Leaders" of this nation. It is time the true Americans band together and call attention to the thousands maybe millions of Americans suffering right now!! God Bless you and everyone in need!!
- LT
Thank You
John- As if the song wasn't great enough, the video should win an Academy Award. Kris & Mickey and everyone involved bring me to tears every time I watch it. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones since I got my first Social Security check this month. That with my police pension should get us through life without too many wolves at the door. I can't help but cringe when I see what's going on in this country today. I'm not sure how many zeros are in a billion, and now they are talking trillions! Thanks John for such a great song.
- Randy
NE MO Thanks You!
Thank you for expressing what so many American's are feeling in your song! My 54 year old husband has worked for the same tool & die factory for 30 years....yep, they make auto parts,so the trickle down has made it's way to Northeast Missouri. He has been laid-off since December 12,2008....with a call-back date that has been moved month by month since February. I am 48 years old, worked at a local Sheltered Workshop, which employs about 60 adult mentally/physically challenged people. Part of my job as supervisor there was to help them do piece work/inspections for the local factories. Since the factories make auto parts, they had to make the decision to do that in-house, thus, I have been laid-off since August 28, 2008 for lack of work coming in to the Workshop. We are total agreement with your statements concerning the bailouts....what a slap in the face to working class American's to so frivously spend billions of dollars when people cannot even afford to live day-to-day! We are not nearly as concerned for ourselves now, but if it had been 20 years ago, and we still had 3 small children living at home, things would be pretty tough! I am not a song writer, but thank you for using your God-given talent to convey emotions for the rest of us! God Bless you, and God Bless America!!
- Kelly Zeiger
Shuttin Detroit Down
Wow, thank you for this song that says it ALL. I lost my job and then my husband lost his job we have lost our home and while it is all material it still is heartbreaking to lose everything you have worked hard for gone in months. I am thankful to my Lord though that I have recently found a job but at a fifteen thousand difference from what I was making but its keeping food, roof and clothing on my children. My husband has gone thru 2 plant closings in his working career and at the age of 50 what is available for him? We have no health insurance and I have RA and had a tumor removed that was positive for cancer 7 months ago and will not be able to follow up as the doctors suggested. It is time America takes care of America! We have a big FOR SALE sign up in America's Front yard! Its time to get our home in order before we can help other countries. I wish more were willing to take a stand as you did. Thank you and God Bless all who are going thru what we are keep your faith in God and you will make it. God Bless America
- Mary
autoworker
john your song touched our hearts, i am from oklahoma but tranfers to fairfax am let me tell you your song put a point where it needs to be. your right about the banks and there ceos they dont look at the working class of people just at the dollars sign. it moved me with the video, and i am proundyhat you released this song maybe it can open the eyes of those who worked that auto line. also you picked a wonderful bunch of men to do you video.
- odessastapp
all to real
Hey, I'm a native Detroiter, well I'm from the Downriver area. You know the place just south of Dearborn Mi. Where Ford world headquarters is. I now live in Florida But Spent 40 years in that Great State. And really miss what it used to be. My best friend Rick has worked for the same mill for over 30 years and is now 58 years old and out of work because they shut down the whole plant. Every time I hear this song I shed a tear for my freind and all the people I know who have lost there jobs and maybe there homes. God Bless you for bringing this song to the country. This really is one of the best parts of the USA and some of the hardest working, loyal, loving people you could meet on this planet. Let's fix things before there is nothing left.
- Bill Weller
Thank You
I just wanted to thank you for thinking of us. As I listen to your song tears role down my face. It is so true how America was built with hard working men and women and now we are being slapped in the face for what we have worked hard for. My father worked hard for 30 years and retired from one of the big three passed on the legacy to me for which I have worked there for 12 years; now I am laid off wondering if I will ever get called back. I am blessed to have had the life that was provided by the big three but now am growing bitter for being blamed for its financial situation. Unless you are employed by one of the big three to know what goes on day to day you are not qualified to judge how things should or should not be changed. The companies have been wanting to bring down the worker for a bigger piece of the pie for long time now; and it appears to be happening now. It's a real shame that the government is helping them accomplish this. Thanks again for letting our voice be heard! God bless! -Veronica
- Veronica
Detroit is shutdown
Mr. Rich, as many have wrote on here this song hit VERY close to home. I am from Detroit and my Grandfather and Father both worked for General Motors. I remember as a kid Dad being worried if his job was going to shipped somewhere else, now that he is retired he has to worry if his retirement is going to go down the drain because GM may declare Bankruptcy. So as in the song "When I hear this I get fighting mad"!! There are so many vacant fields in Detroit where proud factories once stood providing for many families. I am a locomotive engineer and see first hand how the economy is more and more side tracks sit idle because there is nothing to ship. Keep singing your songs, I will give up my beer money to buy your cd's.
- Chris
We are living it
Thank you John for this song. I just watched your video on CMT and it brought tears to my eyes. My husband has worked for General Motors here in Michigan for 37 years. We are both in our late 50's and had been looking forward to his retirement. We still have a daughter at home who wants to go to college. Because of this my husband decided to work until we could get her thru. As of today we are going week to week. We are better off then a lot of the people, who are going thru the same thing, and I thank God for that. My husband is a skilled tradesman and a hard worker who has given half his life to this company, and it breaks my heart to have him feel like he is failing his family, because he may not be able to provide for us like he feels he should. No matter what the outcome I know we will get thru this. What happens will happen and we will get through it. Again thank you for this song. It means alot, I'm sure, to a lot of people. God Bless
- nadine
Losing a job
Just wanted to thank you Mr. Rich on making a great song and video. I work as a maintenance mechanic for a company which makes rear end gears for trucks down here in South Carolina. Ive been here for 8 years and cant believe in a short amount of time how things change. One day you think everything is good and the next thing you know is the boss is letting you know that there will be a layoff due to poor car sales. Ive seen people like Kris K. portrayed in the video go through the same thing and it gets me fighting mad to see how people which went to work everyday of their lives and put family and other things on the back burner for a company that just looks at the bottom line and nothing else. Just keep up the good work you do Mr. Rich and know we will keep are heads up down here and not our hands out, cause without faith and determination we have nothing.
- Andy
Great Song
I am from Muskegon Mi. and now survive in Ashland City Tn., after losing our horse farm, studio equipment and guitars to my job loss due to the economic down turm. I am a country song writer also, and I think JR hit the nail on the head, with this Graet song. Thank God he had the connections to get this out there on the air!! Conragulations! I have a song " Let The Bells Of Freedom Ring" with a video I never could get released cause a few main folks in the country music food chain back then (1996) said it was too much. Now after all that is happening in the world songs like J.R.'s and Mine are needed! We should wake up the American's that live thier live's saying what ever will happen is going to happen and we can't make a difference. We all can make a difference starting by setting better examples for our kids. Treat everyone in your life's like you want to be treated. Help each other become the best no matter what you are doing. If evryone would lend a helping hand when you see folks that really need help, this country would become strong and healthy like it used to be. Daniel Paul ( Gilbert )
- Daniel Paul Gilbert
Hard Work
When I first heard this song I was amazing at the realism of the lyrics. I know so many people that can relate. I have had family members lose there jobs after 20+ years of service. I thought I couldn't be affected, but it has. I lost my job due to the slowing economy and almost lost my house, truck well really everything. I know that when all this happened I was so mad to see how the companies that recieved our tax money were spending it. All there huge bonuses and I can't even buy diapers for my 10 month old daughter. Its a day to day fight and check to check. Thank you John Rich for being the best songwriter ever. I have never heard a country song I can relate to as much as Shutting Detroit Down. It is so real and so true. This song really helps me deal with a lot of anger I think we all share as Americans. Its hard work making it in life anymore theses days, but I'm a hard-worker and I am full of American blood and I will do whatever it takes to take care of my family. Its a shame Wall Street has no idea what real work is. I would like to see them build fence in TX at 102 degrees outside. Or carry shingles on a roof about 120 degrees in the middle of the summer. I get so mad just thinking about it. Now I understand your reasoning for writing this song. Thanks again for being so honest. We can all get through this we just have to work together. I love country music like no other. It speaks to me and I live my live by it. I wish other people did too........... Justin Everett - Waco, TX
- Justin Everett
lost
I worked in he auto industry for 8 years and lost my job almost two yrs back. I ended up taking a huge pay cut just to have a job. 2 years later My daughter who is 3 am myself are about to lose out house cause ends just dont meet up and no bank wants to help us out. John hit the nail right on the head they are truely shutting us down .
- Phil
Amazing Song!
The first time I heard 'Shutting Detroit Down' I was so taken by surprise at how wonderful the song is. Then I saw the video and I cried... what a wonderful video. I live in quite a small town in Michigan with a population of maybe 2200 people. When the economy began to really take a dive, the majority of our restaurants, which there aren't many, closed. And a few of the local businesses have had to close down as well. And many of those business owners or employees are friends of mine and it hurts me to see them without jobs and having house payments, car payments and families to support. And it scares me to think that before the economy comes back around, the town I have lived in most of my life will become a ghost town.
- Anneke Rader
Stunned
First of all I would have to say this has to be the song of the year. the video could have not been any better. The nail was drove in with one swing. I wish it was enough to make the change...but to many people don't think they are doing anything wrong, or they forgot how to look out for everyone like it used to be done. I am in the Military so some say I have a secure job. This is true, but with these tough times, my wife has to work also, and those checks get smaller as the weeks go by. When you start adding up all the bills, things get kinda tight. I am not in a bad way and by no means am I looking for someone to look at me and say I'm sorry. I really wish things were different or maybe go back to the old days...when your neighbor came over to help with the smallest things and after you were done you drank a beer together and maybe had a BBQ. Now we have pulled so far away from each other it's almost sad. We are all in this together...good or bad. We are America, the BEST DAMN COUNTRY IN THE WORLD...those in the big seats need to remember that and pull their stuff together!!
- Seth Herrell
Truth about the world today.
I first want to start off with thanking you for writting this song. It has touched me in a way no other song has ever been able to. Like everyone else, I'm sure it has touched us all in one way or another. The world has taken many turns for the worst lately, and so many sadly are dealing with it one way or another. Everyone ust to belive that no one was alike, but now that our economy is the way it is I belive we all have become closer then ever. I however dont live in detorit I live 2hrs away, the song still hits home to me. No matter what state you live in one way or another this song truly makes you think about your state. I'm 21 years old and begining to learn not even a degree from college will help you get a job anymore. No matter where you work or what your trying to go into everyone is cutting jobs or closing their doors. Eveyone is suffering. I was downsized at my job last year, and it has only gotten worse that I am lucky enough to work 4 days in a month if that. All of my friends have been searching for jobs, and sending in applications left and right only to be told they are not hiring. It becomes harder when those around you are let go or worse from their jobs. But having cars / or homes taken or forclosed is even worse. Sadly no matter where you go you see homes for sale left and right and you begin to remember when that house once had that nice family that lived inside it. Some people I know belive moving out of state is the answer, however they realize it doesnt fix the economy. At this point, I pray our economy gets better soon, their are so many children and adults going through school for a degree, they deserve a chance at a job it would be horrible for them to go through all that for a job they have a heart in to only be told thir is nothing available. This song not only hits home, but tells the truth about how life is right now for everyone in every state. I cant thank you enough for writting this song, it truly brings tears to my eyes to think how bad it has gotten. HOpefully soon, the economy can get better and we can all one day slowly start rebuilding our lives and start over.
- Michelle
TRUTH not politics
I am 52 and worked at the same plant for 21 years. Plants all around us have already closed moving their operations to Mexico, South America, China, India.......... We have already taken time off unpaid and let all of our temp work force go. Now they tell us of a possible "Reduction in work Force", which means we cut ties with the company and if business picks back up we can apply like any one else off the street starting all over again at a lower pay. Our company CEO communicated that he would along with the rest of us not get a pay raise this year. When you make millions in bonuses and stock options thats not really a sacrafice. We were told that time on the job would not play a role in the reduction. One plant in the area cut loose the older employees to save money saying that the older work force cost more in medical benifits and have built up too much time in vacation. Your song hit home and I went out that day and purchased the CD. The rest of the songs on the CD hit home as well and to me there are not mere songs but life stories. There are few today that capture life as you do. Please don't stop, you are the voice of the working class in this contry.
- Wayne
Song of an era
Thank you for this Song... It will be the most infuential song of the times; an awe inspiring discription of this era! (Depression) The first time I heard this song, I was like, WOW!! He nailed it!! As a country fan, Musician and a former salaried employee for Ford, (let go this past Christmas because of a Plant closing in Monroe MI) this song hits home for me. It's not easy, but My faith and this song will help me through it. JR thank you for this... Spanky
- Ron Jr
You touched me
The song by itself really touched me when I heard it the first time, you hit the nail on the head, then I saw the video and it brought tears to my eyes. It was so sad, but yet so true. This is a very true story for so many right now. I hope many will be inspired by this song.
- Melissa Franks
shuttin detroit down
Thanks you john rich for speaking the truth i am only 14 years old but i am starting to understand what is going on in the world now and i pray each and evry night for the rough times to end P.S thanks you to all of the hard working men and women expesially the armed forces who are the ones that keep this country turning
- Ben Randall
Thanks
Thank you for releasing this song- American citizens must speak out if we are to restore the principles that our nation was originally founded upon-such as limited government. Public support has to be gained to start sending a message to this all-too-controlling government and show them America is a government for the people, by the people.
- Nori
What A Night! THANKS
I fell in love with your song the first time I heard it and I can't recall if it was before you appeared on Glenn Beck or not. I have been a fan and am sure that John Rich doesn't get to read all of these posts but let me say THANK YOU! I was in Atlanta last night, had been going since 3:30am and was so tired and knew that when I got back home that I still had a job to do and a child to care for. I was engergized when I got in the crowd of over 20,000 but when John Rich came out I was so inspired and so excited I made it on past what I thought I could. John Rich gave so much of himself last night because he knew that a crowd of hard working, everyday people took time to show our government that yes we do have a say so in what goes in Washington. John could have stopped after the Hannity show went off air but he grabbed his pick and proceeded to sing a few more songs. I was a fan before but now Mr. Rich you have a SUPER FAN. You are a GREAT AMERICAN and God Bless You for giving so much to us last night. Hugs and Kisses Layla
- Layla
Farmers
I work for a local law firm, and spend a good amount of time at my local court houses. The other day I was sitting next to a gentleman (had to be in his early 70's). We sat and chatted about the weather and numerous other things. He asked me if I thought we'd be getting that snow they were calling for. I told him I didn't know but sure hoped so, that the farmers could sure use the water. He remained silent which struck me as odd. As I glanced at him I noticed that he was crying. He went on to tell me that he would not be planting this year at all. It was going to cost him 400k to water his crops. He got very emotional and went on to tell me that most of his equiptment and 3/4 of his land was going to be put up for auction the following week. The bank had foreclosed on everything but his little house. My heart broke right there in a second! I was standing in front of a man who had worked his land his whole life. Land that had been handed down for many generations. Being born on a small farm myself, and having lost it in the same respect, I couldn't sleep that night. I remembered him saying the specific area that he farmed. After a few days of searching I was able to locate him, and where he lived. I drove out to his little farm house, and walked up to the door. The same weathered, man met me at the screendoor. He had a very bewildered look on his face at seeing me again, but he remembered me. We now have a very special bond, and I spend as much time with him as I can. I played this song for him. He told me through his sobs that for the first time in his life, he no longer felt so alone. This song has touched so many people in so many ways. Thanks John!!
- Dawn
Smalltown American Soldier
John, I just wanted you to know that your song has touched me in many ways, first by giving me a voice, I have always wished for and pursued the ability to have a national voice with no success as of yet so that I may loudly declare to the whole world what is wrong with the system. Second because I come from the San Joaquin Valley, BAKERSFIELD, CA(Home of BUCK OWENS)where my father's business is dependent on the farmers, as well as the many friends of mine that are farmers and are going under very day. It is awesome to see someone with your national audience stand up like JOHNNY CASH(god rest his soul)for social issues and not be afraid that you are going to piss someone off. You inspire me Mr. Rich that the soldiers in the Armed Forces are not forgotten and that our voice is heard, as we cannot protest and participate in these rallies as a federal employee. Thank You and God Bless You Mr Rich. Sincerely, SPC Douglas Rice USA
- Douglas Rice
I Hate Country Music
ive hated it all my life, but for the life of me i cant stop cryin. You have unearthed emotion from someone who was all dried up years ago. Every once and awhile someone does something great. You inspire me to care again.
- Mike Johnson
Working hard
I have been a very hard worker for the past 2 1/2 years at the salon I work at. I have NEVER called and and I am never late. When I had my son back in 2007 I only took 4 weeks off unpaid and went back to work. I have the ability to only work 4 days a week but I am there. When people call in I fill in if I have a babysitter. As of late they have promoted a girl who is always calling in, she is high and does not do her job. I still help out the manager and do the aassistants job because she does not do it. I have yet to hear a thank you, good job, thanks for all your help or even a hint of promotion. I have gotten to the point that they don't care (the owners) about anyone then themselves. They always tell us they are not in it for the money. Yeah right. This song makes me have faith that there is a reason for our kind of people. Yet we don't get what is due to us but we still take it from the higher man because we know we need our jobs. Keep your heads up and remember one day we will shut down those owners, ceos and so on who keep pushing us down.
- Randi
shutting down shreveport down ,
Dear Mr. Rich, everytime i hear this song now i start to cry thinking about the plans that are/maybe in the works for Shreveport,louisiana G.M works .. If they shut down this automaker truck plant it will be lots of people ,family and friends will be out of work and some like the video have been working there for years.. so you have another city/town to add to your Song Shutting it down... from T.Johnson
- Tiffany
GREAT SONG
I WAS RAISED WHEN LOT OF MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS WORKED IN MILLS AND FACTORIES AND THESE POEPLE ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE USA.AND ITS NOT RIGHT THAT THEY WORK ALL THER LIFE AND THEY GET LET GO LIKE YESTERDAYS NEWSPAPER.I HAVE ALOT OF RESPECT FOR THESE POEPLE,THAT GETTING CAST ASIDE LIKE TRASH.SO LETS DO SOMETHING BEFORE ITS TOO LATE.GREAT SONG JOHN RICH.MY FIRST REACTION WHEN I SAW THE VIDEO STOPPED WHAT I WAS DOING,GOT A LUMP IN MY THROAT AND A GERNEAL TICKED OFF FEELING AND HURT FEELING ALL OVER.I HOPE THIS SONG AND VIDEO WAKES UP THE BIGWIGS IN DC BUT I DOUBT BUT AT A BOY TO JOHN RICH FOR DOING THIS. THANKS JEFF ATKINSON CLARION PA
- jeff atkinson
Time for Washington to listen.
I started to cry when I first saw this video. it is so moving. So many people we know are losing their homes, cars and everything they have worked for. it is so hard to see. We almost lost our home and by the grace of god did not. we have had a truck repossessed. we are doing better and pray for all of these families. Washington better stand up and listen this is not about billions of dollars for the greedy it is about the average hardworker and their families. There are too many greedy people in this world today.
- Marie
Thank You
I just want to thank you for never being afraid to speak the truth. I don't think there's a song out there that paints a more perfect picture. Now, I'm very young, and try not to get in Politics much, but back in 2007 I lost the only mother I had at 17 years old. Ever since then my Grandpa has been helping me out, so I can finish College, and get on my feet. He lives off of his Retirement, which is based off of stock. I can't tell you how many sleepless nights I laid in bed and cried and prayed that he wouldn't lose all his Retirement. I finally got a job at a place in my hometown for the first time since my Mom died. I ended up being laid off because of the "Economy". They had been planning to lay off people for two weeks and didn't have the balls to tell me. I found out the day of my Birthday that i no longer had a job, and I was livid. Thank you, Mr.Rich for not being afraid to state the facts and the truth. Thank you for saying what other's are too chicken sh*t to say. I love the fact that you're from around Amarillo( is it Bushland? lol). I live in Canyon, 15 minutes South of Amarillo. I prouldy tell everyone you're from around here. The first time I saw the video for "Shuttin' Detroit Down" I cried, because I know that's happend to people. I don't know if my story, counts, but I just wanted to thank you, for everything you do. If people criticize you for it, well F*ck them! LOL You're not afraid to speak you're mind, and thats what we love. God Bless you Mr.Rich and keep up the good work! We're always going to be behind you 150%!!!! Brittnee
- Brittnee
Thank You
I honestly cried the first time i heard this song, because it hits so close to home. My grandfather is 65 years old and he works for a telecommunications company. Everyday that he goes to work he worries about whether or not he is going to have a job to go to the next day. He should not have to be under that kind of stress at his age and it honestly breaks my heart. People who have given there all to make this contry work should not have to worry about how there family is going to survive in a week. I just want to thank you for telling the truth about this country! Its nice to know someone still cares.
- Ashton Shryock
Crossed A Barrier
I am not that much of a fan of country music but I have always liked Kris Kristopherson. So when I saw him in the video I though I was watching a movie. So much for telling my age. Anyhow, growing up in hip hop and RnB music listening to the song, the barriers were crossed and I actually was stunned. The song unequivocally has a message and I do hope that folk listen. I think I am going to play this song in my Pop Culture class i teach. Excellent material and look for a nomination for song of the year.
- Knight3k
Thank You!
As the wife of a 23 year Chrysler employee, I applaud you for this song & video - the situation with the government taking over our automakers under the thinly veiled disguise of "helping" is despicable. We live every day with the threat of not having a job tomorrow. The disgusting thing is that so many people in this country think that autoworkers have had it way too good for too long and that we somehow deserve to see how "real" people live for a change. I can tell you that we live just like everyone else - barely scraping by sometimes and I work as well - so we are no different than others in any way. It's too bad that there is no longer any respect for employees who choose to commit themselves to a company and not job hop like so many others - we no longer have any reassurance that we have job security and that is a scary thought. So I thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting this out there in people's faces. I hope everyone in America sees this video and emails it to everyone they know. It deserves to be shown in the halls of Congress and the Senate every minute of the day. Thank you, thank you, thank you...
- Michelle
Concerned American
I just watched the video for "Shutting Detroit Down" for the first time and it brought me to tears. I live on Long Island and work for a not for profit funded mostly by our county. My fellow co-worker and I wait with baited breath to see what our fate holds. I've been a fan of the song since I first heard it, but the video really brings it home for me. Somethings gotta give and it kills me that those who have reaped the financial benefits from someone else's blood, sweat and life long hard work are getting away scott free. Thank you, John Rich, for helping to give the working man, on who's back this proud country is built, a face and a voice. Keep on keepin' on!
- Jeanne Carver
Thank you for bringing attention to the Forgotten WORKING Class!
I love your song. It's wonderful when someone in your position can bring attention to the problems of so many that do not have a voice any longer. It's unfortunate that there no longer seems to be middle class. Your either working poor or upper class. My husband and I,like many others, are doing all we can to provide for our families but because of the fallen economy,hours are being cut,jobs being lost and we are falling short. Working hard but still falling short. It's difficult when you lay in bed at night trying to figure out how your going to tell your children that your about to be homeless. This is how many hard working Americans are going to bed these days. Americans will prevail, always have and always will. Stay United and help out your neighbors, thats the only way. God Bless us all in these tough times.
- Mary
Thanks for telling our story
I was laid off 3 years ago from a factory I had worked at for 12 years. I now have a new job, but understand what so many people are going through. I just saw the video and was very moved by it. I think this video should be playing non stop at the capital and the White House. The government should be helping the working people not the banks. If people had money to pay their bills, the banks wouldn't need to be bailed out. THANKS FOR A GREAT SONG AND VIDEO.
- Dan Wadhams
Thank You
This is truly a great song that is simply telling the truth. I am a wife and mother of two boys ages 4 and 6. We live on a small farm and my husband and I have worked our butts of to get to where we are today. I am a registered nurse and until August 2008 I worked full-time then due to "cut-backs" I got laid off. It took me four months to finally find a full-time job. Then in Feburary 2009 my husband who had worked at an aluminum recycling plant for the last 11 years got laid off. I am very proud to be an American and I believe that we are some of the most dedicated and hard working people that there is. You are a great song writer/singer and I commend you on a job well done. Thank you for being a voice for the working class who isn't afraid to speak the truth. God Bless You!
- Jessica
Thank You
Thank You so much for this song! It's perfect! Although none of my family works for any of the auto makers, I can relate. My husband just lost his job of 28 years and it's scary when you have 2 children to feed and a mortage to pay. I LOVED what you said at the awards show before singing this song about the hard working American citizens. We are truley the hardest hit. It's time the "big money' spenders in coperate America had to live like we do and for Washington to stop kissing the a** of the big wigs that don't know about breaking a sweat. I'm very angry about the jobs going overseas and our elected officals just giving away my money to these irrresponsible CEO/CFO's. Thank you for showing that you care about the American working class. Keep on rockin'!
- Carolyn
Shuttin Detroit Down
This song came at a great time for everybody, this is really happening and it is really scary. I work at a local Car Dealership, in which I have been employed there for 10 years. It is Steve Schmitt Inc., we sell Chevy,Pontiac,Buick and GMC. I am still working 40 hours a week and still have health ins so far. I am from Highland Il in fact when I saw the video today it had me teared up that is for sure. I have two kids to support and of course we have always loved country music, we have a cabin out in the woods in Missouri, we live for the weekends, we go four wheelin',swim in the creek, have bon fires, if you go to my Email you can see my profile, anyway if I loose my job, I do not know how we would keep all we have worked for, my kids would die if would loose the place in the "country" that is what we call it. There has been so may hardships I am from a small town near Gretchen Wilson hometown, my daughter and I love Gretchen. We listen to her alot when we are out in the "country". John Rich good job on the song, I have a lot of songs in my head especially when I am out in the "country" having a great time, I am hoping things get better and I get to keep my employment.
- Kellie
GM DEALER EMPLOYEE
I HAVE WORKED IN GM DEALERSHIPS SINCE 1985. STARTED AS A CASHIER AND WORKED MY WAY UP TO BUSINESS MANAGER. I HAVE BEEN LAID OFF TWICE THIS YEAR AND A LOCAL DEALER IN PA THAT HAS BEEN IN TOWN SINCE 1929 JUST CLOSED. WHEN THEY TOOK THE INVENTORY OFF OF LOT BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES. I HAVE MADE A GOOD LIVING AND WORKED HARD BUT LOSING JOB TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME. MY HUSBAND LEFT ME, MY HOUSE IS GOING TO SHORT SALE, MY DOG IS WITH EX-HUSBAND AND MY GM CAR JUST GOT REPO'ED FRIDAY.... YOUR VIDEO TOUCHED ME IN THE CHEVY PLANT I HAVE TAKEN TOURS AT THE PLANTS IN DELAWARE AND NOW THEY ARE ALL CLOSED THE WHOLE EAST COAST. WE NEED TO BRING OUR INDUSTRY BACK AND SHOW THE REST OF THE WORLD WHAT WE CAN DO AS AMERICAN'S AND WE HAVE TO BUY AMERICAN.... I HAVE NO WHERE TO GO BUT UP NOW AND I WILL PREVAIL AND SO WILL AMERICA THANK YOU FOR A GREAT SONG AND VIDEO TO GET THAT MESSAGE OUT........
- SUSAN ROMERO
Struggling Parent
The First time I seen the video, I cried. John Pointed at veryhard working american. Like My self and my husdand. We have three boys. Our youngest boy we had 3 months early. He was in the hospital for three months, we couldn't barly afford our rent much less money to see him. I cried everynight because he was not at home. Wedid all we could to mach shoure he had a good home to come home to. My husband started working two jobs just so we could get by, Now Our boy is home he is down to barly working one job. I had to go back to school so it would be better for us. I want to thank John for writing a song that fits everyone in america.
- Linda Walter
GM DEALER EMPLOYEE
I HAVE WORKED IN GM DEALERSHIPS SINCE 1985. STARTED AS A CASHIER AND WORKED MY WAY UP TO BUSINESS MANAGER. I HAVE BEEN LAID OFF TWICE THIS YEAR AND A LOCAL DEALER IN PA THAT HAS BEEN IN TOWN SINCE 1929 JUST CLOSED. WHEN THEY TOOK THE INVENTORY OFF OF LOT BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES. I HAVE MADE A GOOD LIVING AND WORKED HARD BUT LOSING JOB TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME. MY HUSBAND LEFT ME, MY HOUSE IS GOING TO SHORT SALE, MY DOG IS WITH EX-HUSBAND AND MY GM CAR JUST GOT REPO'ED FRIDAY.... YOUR VIDEO TOUCHED ME IN THE CHEVY PLANT I HAVE TAKEN TOURS AT THE PLANTS IN DELAWARE AND NOW THEY ARE ALL CLOSED THE WHOLE EAST COAST. WE NEED TO BRING OUR INDUSTRY BACK AND SHOW THE REST OF THE WORLD WHAT WE CAN DO AS AMERICAN'S AND WE HAVE TO BUY AMERICAN.... I HAVE NO WHERE TO GO BUT UP NOW AND I WILL PREVAIL AND SO WILL AMERICA THANK YOU FOR A GREAT SONG AND VIDEO TO GET THAT MESSAGE OUT........
- SUSAN ROMERO
Thumbs up from a proud American
First I want to thank you for writting this song. It hit home for me as well as my parents. I am a single mom of 3 boys . I worked for Gm in Lockport NY in the year 1998 before they spun me off to a "Delpi . Then Delpi was going backrupt ,and I had the chance to jump back as a GM worker. Bad part about it was I had to move. so in 2006 I had to move 1,300 miles away from my parents and friends. My whole support system was just thrown up in the air. My boys nolonger could vist there dad every weekend . We just had to sell our home in Newfane and uhaul it to Shreveport Louisiana. you know how hard it is to find an apartment over the internet without seeing it first hand . and to find daycare. We finaly bought a house almost 2 years ago. and i was just getting settled in when I was told I was getting laid off. Ive been laid off since oct ,08 and I will probley lose my home now. Not only did my parents work for GM . My exhusbands parents are retired GM workers too. They are losing there benifits and more. I cant stress to the people of the United States of America how important it is to buy american. when you dont buy american you are putting your fellow americans out of work. Its not just the factory worker that gets hit . its the suppliers . the little lunch shops around each factory that loses its customers etc.....I have a bumper sticker on my van that says ( Please dont put my flag on your foreign car ) . I hope it makes some of us think about what country we should support everyday of our lives. So john Rich Thank You so much for putting words to the what america in feeling right now. Tammyann Kunzweiler
- Tammyann Kunzweiler
Thank you.
This song is amazing. The video is amazing. Your performance at the ACM's was outstanding. Sitting home in our living room, my daughter and I cheered and cried and thanked you over and over during your heart grabbing performance. We need you as an advocate for the real people of the USA. You are listening to the people. You feel our pain. Even though you talk specifically about Detroit, it is also a metaphor for every factory that has been closed, every business that has failed, every job that has been lost, every farm that has been foreclosed and every family that has been devastaed by greedy people. We need you to go to Washington and make sure they get it- not just in theory, but in reality. The effect it will have if farmers are not farming any more, if blue collar workers are forced to live the lives equal to those in 3rd world countries. While aid is given to the rich and to the other countries in crisis, where is the aid to our own? Thank you for your song and plase let us all know how to do more to make DC listen and do something before it is too late. Thanx! Sue
- Sue
when will it end and where?
Thank you for highlighting what we are going through- we too are in Monroe... the little plant that when it closed, raised the national unemployment rate. Our Ford family isn't connected close enough to the Dearborn Fords.... it's been a series of negotiations and layoffs. It's hard to stimulate this economy when Ford workers are afraid to buy Ford vehicles... not because of quality, but because of the overall economy. The banks arent helping the guys like us out here- I've seen too many hard working folks lose the only house they ever owned... once your laid off there is no negotiations,.... its spiraling out of control. We're in for the ride- expect the worst and hope for the best, right? My question is.... where will it end? If the big three falls, who will we trust to make our military machines? (The ones we are in conflict with?) Speaking only from what I know, some of the big three are ready to convert and help the government if need be.... why isn't the same respect out there from the government? Thank you for taking the time you did to say it like it is- our CEOs step down upon request, they drive themselves in the working mans car and bend over backward.... only to see bankers live it up... voice by voice we are heard- thank you and God Bless you!
- not the right Ford
WHO CARES
thanks john for that song you said what so many of us feel.I am from thomaston ga iworked in atextile mill here we called them a cotton mill we lost our jobs they went overseas and no one in washington or our state goverment gave a dam .YOUknow why becouse people that have really dont give a dam about us thay dont idont care what they say actions speak louder than words.IAM SO SICK OF ALL THE BS .DO THEY REALLY THINK WE ARE SO STUPID WE DONT KNOW WHAT THEIR DOING THEY MAKE ME SICK.THANKS FOR HAVING THE GUTS TO STAND UP ON THAT STAGE AND SAY JUST WHAT I WOULD HAVE LIKE TO HAVE SAID .YOU SAID IT A WHOLE LOT NICER THAN I WOULD MOST OF MINE WOULD HAVE BEEN BLEEPED OUT. THANKS AGAIN LOVED THE SONG
- shelia
from michigan
I live in northern, mi in a town where the auto industry is a big part of our economy. We have several factories in the area that have ties to the industry. Even up here in Cadillac, we are feeling the wrath of the big 3 going under. Jobs and hours getting cut, 20 and 30 year hard workers who put their lives into their work are being replaced with new workers who make half what the people who put their heart and soul into every part they touch. i am fortunate enough to have a steady job in restaurant management and it hurts me to see. We are seeing more and more empty buildings in our area, and the small mom and pop shops can't afford to stay in business without the hard working people spending money. When I saw the video for the first time today, it brought a tear to my eye. The sad part is, that is the reality. Thank you John Rich for writing such a powerful song!
- chris stronach
it says it all
Hi John, I just want you and everyone know that this song was very touching, i got tears in my eyes. The song is very true and I served 7 years in the military and thought it would be a great idea to get out and get a good job and get a house to settle down and make a family. As of right now i am scared to because of whats going on. i cant even find a decent job, im having to live with my dad here in Texas and I have decided that the only way i can make money to pay bills and have a steady job is to re-enlist and serve as long as i can before they decide to retire me. i just would like for everyone to know this is what the world is coming to. Excellent song, keep up the good work and i hope i see you and i hope Big in Afgan. Thanks again!
- James
Hard Working Tax Payer
I'm single I live in California and our car tax, sale's tax, income tax just went up. We are one of the highest paying tax state. I don't make much but I'm thankful for having a job. I'm so angry on how the government is picking our pocket's and spending our taxpayers money on bailout's. Government does not care about us the hard working class or our wonderful country we live in. Taxes are just so out of control. Anyway's I loved your song. The first time I heard it I just had to buy it. I also wanted to thank you and say at least someone had the gut's to say what's really going on in America. When I seen you on the Hannity, the Glenn Beck and CMA awards I could see in your eye's that your as angry as most of us are with the way things are going on in our country. I am now a big big fan of your's. Thank's for letting me vent and God Bless.
- Tina
Thanks
John, I'm from Michigan and want you to know that your song "Shuttin' Detroit Down" tells it all. We are dairy farmers that struggle to pay our bills but won't give up as we love this land and what we do. Our heart goes out to those that have lost their jobs. I pray that someday things will change for all of us. Keep up the good work that you do. Janet
- Janet
Plant closing...
Thank you for saying what I was thinking... How can they just hand over billions to wallstreet(political B.S.) and beat up on the auto industry (everyday americans). I live south of Detroit in Monroe, worked at Ford for 12 years until they closed the plant, what a Christmas present. Now I'm unemployed and looking for work in this mess of an economy. Worried that I'll lose everything including my house, not knowing where I may have to move (away from family and friends) to get work. (Probably out of Michigan.) It's our faith that's getting us through these hard times, and this song helps too. Thank you John Rich and God Bless us all!!
- Spanky
Another Thank you
Well, I'm just like so many before me that have written to you to thank you for speaking for the little guy. Shutting Detroit Down is a song that reaches so many people across this country. The plant that I worked at made catalytic converters however there aren't any cars being made so no need for converters; no need for me or many others like me. Now I'm going to do the only thing that I know how to do and that is hold my head up and just keep clawing away and try to find a job and I know that eventually I will and then I will be stronger for getting through these tough times. Again sir, I thank you for speaking for the little man that only knows how to work hard {when there is work to be had}.
- Jimmy
I am 44 and cried for the first time in over 15 years
Hi I own a lawn care/landscape company in a small town in Texas and was watching GAC and saw the video and realized how fortunate I am to not only to have a job but be able to pay my employees and try to keep them buying American. After seeing the video we are offering a $5.00 discount to all our customers and encouraging our sub contractors to offer the same to go out and use the discount to BUY SOMETHING that is MADE IN THE USA!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for reminding me how fortuniate I am to live in this great country. GO AMERICA!!!!!!!!! RICK WELCH WALBURG, TEXAS
- Rick Welch
"fishin gone"
Thanks to john for nailin it. Im a commercial fisherman in florida, Ive shrimped and fished the gulf of mexico for twenty two years. Ive seen the industry slowly slip into the clutches of this failing economy.over the last ten years theres been an increase in the price of sea food,yet the fishermen seem to make less. Ive made my life on the water , now, I can barley keep my head above it. Watch out for the shrimp boat song, coming soon to u-tube and my space capttrentstevens.
- trent stevens
heavens helper
Dear Mr. Rich I want to thank you for letting our state know someone out there cares.There are so many people being hurt by this backlash. My dad was a proud GM worker for thirty years now we fear for his benifits and pension. But yet we feel blessed because we have food on our table. There are so many who dont.It is inspiring to know you many be thousands of miles away but right here with us.Maybe others in country music will take your lead and lend a hand to help the affected families, maybe even someday a benefit concert to help the affected families who just need the basics food,clothes for thier kids ect. Once again Thank you for your lead.May God Bless you Tanya
- tanya
Made me Cry
I am from Michigan and know plenty of people personally that this has happened to. "Shuttin' Detroit Down" is one of the saddest videos I've seen in a long time. It's just terrible knowing that's really happening to people just like that man; and it doesn't look like it's ending anytime soon. So thanks for the cry.
- Lindsay
steel worker
I work up here in Canada and not only have you been affected, so have your neighbors to the north. I heard this song last night on CMA and loved every bit of it. I sure hope the attitude from this song becomes a battle song to save the auto industry. Once one cpmpany has been closed it becomes adomino effect. I see it up here and it scres me to see how bad it is. Thank you for your strong worda and most of all using your voice to tell the truth. Jeff.
- Jeff Newton
laid off steel worker
Mr.Rich,you nailed it.I've been laid off since October and have exhausted my unemployment benefits.I think it's time to shut D.C. down.I don't see much hope for my 2 daughters when they grow up.My hats off to you,you ARE a great American,sir.The video hit home and brought a tear to my eyes as i'm sure it did many Americans.It's a shame everyone sees the outcome except,politicians.
- butch
Just a Note of THANK YOU!
We personaly don't have a story, but we know of several that do. We justed wanted to drop a line of THANK YOU for this beautiful song, that speaks the truth. You ,John, did an awesome job at the 44th ACMA's. We could see the anger in your eyes and hear it in your voice as you sang "Shuttin Detroit Down". The response from the crowd was great. We loved that you put MADE IN THE U.S.A on the FRONT of your guitar! You are touching the lives of so many in OUR country. We grew up on a small farms as a children, and it breaks our hearts to see these small farms, slowly one by one, dieing off. Hopefully one day those big wigs on Wall Street will wake up, smell the coffee, and stop this madness and restore the former glory of our country. Your giving some hope to the Little Man, by speaking UP AND OUT for us! Someday we hope to meet you in person. To shake your hand ,or like we do in our family give you a big bear hug , and Thank You for doing so nicely by having a celeb that's not afraid to voice his opinon for us. On an end note we're just PROUD Kansan's that aren't going to let the "fat cats" drag us down.
- Julia
a different kind of detroit!
I LOVE YOUR NEW SONG!! We live in Wyoming, and 3 of my sons and one of thier best friends are out of work since the rigs started stacking out:( My husband is a Tool Pusher and instead of doing his job, they have him watching a yard where the rigs are stacked out to make sure that nobody steals anyting from them...My boys have families and bills to pay just like everyone else, and unemployment isn't going to pay all of the bills.... We totally understand what everyone else who is out of work is going through.... Thank You for standing up for the WORKING CLASS PEOPLE!!! YOU ROCK!!
- Mary Price
The "Hard Work" family creed
First, thank your for telling our story. My great grandparents immigrated to the Detroit area in hopes that their young sons would find work in the automotive factories. My grandfather and a couple brothers secured work at Ford in Detroit. A couple of my uncles later worked for Chevrolet in Grand Blanc and Flint. When I married my husband forty-one years ago, we felt safe and secure in having him work for Oldsmobile. Forty years ago, he went to work for Olds (now GM). Many of our family members had built a good life for their families, working in the shop. Many of the women were stay-at-home moms raising happy productive children. We invested our life into the auto industry. My grandfather and uncles are gone, their shops are gone. They managed to to instill the hard work ethic into the family by telling us that if we kept our nose to the grindstone and worked and stayed committed in the auto-manufacturing sector, we would be ok in our retirement years. We did just that - only to watch the banking industry tear down our investments cutting us short of goal to retire at 62. I have had to go to work full-time to make ends meet and insure we don't lose a house we built 40 years ago. The market has made it impossible to sell the home we have continuted to improve. A forced retirement is looming and it may be without the promised benefits and pension we planned to depend on in our aging years. So much for doing what you are supposed to do. It is a crying shame that the big executives sucked us dry and the government turned a blind eye to keeping our manufacturing sectors strong in the US. It is as though our investments have gone into the sink hole of government miscarriage.
- Carol
Thanks from Kokomo Indiana!
Thanks for the song "Shuttin' Detroit Down". We are feeling the affects from the downturn of the auto industry here in Kokomo with Delphi filing bankruptcy and laying people off. We also have 4 Chrysler transmission plants that may end up with the same fate as Delphi if things don't turn around. The hourly workers from Delphi and Chrysler have already made concessions & expected to give up more, but my question is WHAT HAS MANAGEMENT AND THE COMPANY EXECS GIVEN UP? Thanks for the voice John!!
- Ralene
another job gone overseas
Sutting detroit down has it home here in chipley fl.The anouncement was made friday april 3rd. at 8 am.I work for west point home we are a textile plant we are about the last one left that makes comforters,shams,petticoats and other bedding products. This company has been in busness for ove 100 years .Little by little we have been losing to the overseas market,its a damm shame how much cheaper it is to operate from a foreign country due to taxes and other added expenses.I was living the american dream for a long time .Started with west point pepperell has been called (west point stevens and now west point home )in 1984 as a packer and moved my way up the ladder to my present position of manufacturing production manager.I worked very hard and was very dedicated for the last 25 years.Why in the hell would you incourage or force manufacturing to go elsewhere.There seems to be no loyalty left for american made,even american companies look only for the cheapest price no matter how much the differance in price is .What has happened to the pride?????? It is easy for some folks to sit back and not feel the pain ,but it is a big differance when you have to live it .Well i am living it and i dont like it, there is no way from not getting mad and just wanting to tell your story to the world or atleast the us.We are all getting lost and left behind. mark lent
- mark lent
American Farmer
On the radio I heard them mention the new John Rich song. I kept listening and thought to myself.I can't wait to hear this. I'm driving along lisening to "Shuttin' Detroit Down, listening to the words and all the sudden I hear a verse in the song that touched me harder than any other, and this is a powerful song. I was shocked as heck you took time to remember the American Farmer. I 'am a farmer in Wisconsin and so very proud to be one. The fact that you wrote the verse of auctioining farm land brought a tear to my eye. Like you, I work my tail off 7 days a week and feel blessed to have a job. Times are tough, bills are barely getting paid, and many are losing everything including their land. I thank you for keeping it real and being loyal to who you are. You have my upmost respect and I thank you again from my heart. I plan on living my dream and keep farming as long as I can. I hope we can all keep going during this frustrating time. Thanks Again!!!!!
- Nina
Thank You
I just wanted to say thank you so much for standing up for what you, me and many americans believe. I come from a long line of cotton farmers just outside of Post, Texas. My granddad farmed, my dad farms and my husband farms. Those "bigwigs" have no clue what it is like for us and many other hard working americans. They wouldn't have food or clothing if it weren't for farmers; as I see it we feed and clothe them and don't get no bonus for it either! Anyway just know that all of us thank you from the bottom of our hearts for including farmers in your lyrics. Way to go Mr. Rich!!!
- Traci Freeman
Michigan Resident
I just wanted to say, I have lived in michigan all my life. This song really touched me. I have not worked for GM, however I have many friends and family that have. I also lost my job due to the economy. This not only effects the GM workers, but everyone in Michigan and elsewhere. Thank you!
- Judy Graham
small town and going down
I live in a small town in oklahoma ,which is the home of one of the country's biggest oil producers and now with the economy going down so is my hometown even though someone got rich on our hard work now we are nothing to them and are as good as trash and just as easy to throw away not only did we pay outragous prices just to get to work now we don't have a job to go to after watching your video i was just inspired to write to Mr.Rich for being a voice for the little guys i've always believe this country needs more common sence and less B.S. so thank you Jonh i hope the fat cats on the hill hear what you say
- mandi davis
New Yorkers are hurting too
As a struggling 26 year old New Yorker and a country fan (and it's hard to hear new songs, since we don't even have a country station in the city anymore), it would mean a lot fo me if you changed just a couple of words in "Shuttin' Detroit Down" to avoid making it sound like everyone in New York is living the "high life." A lot of New Yorkers are suffering in this economy too, with so many layoffs, and while I agree with almost all of your song, your lyrics right now make it sound like that's not the case. All you have to do is sing "...The CEOs are livin' it up on Wall Street..." instead of "They're living it up on Wall Street..." I know this would add a couple of words to the line, but not more than you can handle smoothly, and it's more than worth it to make this bit of your political commentary truthful like the rest of the song. Thank you. For background (I don't expect this part to be published, but I'd like it to be read; I didn't see another area for sending comments through the site besides this), i'm the daughter of two teachers from the Bronx who have worked hard their whole lives and are continuously beaten down like all middle class families in the NYC area. I've loved country music since I found the radio station when I was about 8 years old. The station sadly shut down when I was about 15, although I went to college iin upstate NY and was happy to have country on the radio up there. I came home and went to law school just outside the city, based on the offer of a 3/4 scholarship, hoping to practice environmental law, to protect our communities from corporations and manufacturing plans that recklessly spew toxins into our air, water, and soil. Because of some underhanded and vile dealings of the university, I lost my scholarship after my first year, and graduated in 2007 with nearly $80,000 in debt instead of the $25,000-30,000 I had planned on. (This $80,000 is an average debt load for law students, not high; some people have much more.) I took the Bar exam and got a part-time job, which turned full time after two months, at $40,000/year, which meant I had to still live with my parents to start paying my loans back. I was working for a credit card debt collection company, the only good part of which was that if people were willing to commit to monthly payment plans, I could prevent a couple of years worth of interest from being added onto their accounts. I was laid off after 9 months and looked for work for 4 months last summer, '08. In August, I found a decent, respectable job with the Social Security Administration, writing disability decisions once the judges determine whether to affirm or reverse (pay) denials of benefits, earning very slightly more than my last job. Some of my friends from law school, including my boyfriend, got big-firm jobs with outrageous starting salaries, meaning $150,000. Barely a year later, they're all laid off. While I personally can't imagine starting a job with such a salary, and definitely feel that such salaries are ridiculously unwarranted, we deserve to have people from outside NY know that there are so many people getting laid off every day here too that DON'T have huge savings accounts and salaries and bonuses saved up. I also know that it's worth looking at the cost of living in NY. My boyfriend, Jason, grew up in a trailer in Georgia and set out to find a better life for himself. He came to NY based on the offer of a nearly-full scholarship for law school, and while thankfully he kept his scholarship, he needed loans for living expenses, and his debt equalled mine upon graduation. He found a studio apartment for us in Manhattan for $2400/month. That's a studio apartment, one medium-sized room, for $2400 per month, and there were many more expensive studios, much less one-bedroom apartments. I know that the crazy salaries enabled real estate to go so high and landlords to charge such prices, but it's still the "normal" people among us that have to pay them. Everything I earn's been going towards my student loans, with a little set aside for groceries, while Jason's been paying the rent, most expenses, and the minimum payments on his student loans, saving up what he can to have a little cushion. In November, a week before Thanksgiving and barely a year after he started working, he got a pink slip along with dozens of other attorneys at his firm. Other good friends of mine from law school who had "good" jobs for a year were promptly laid off from other firms. They got to be high-earners for a year, chipping away at heavy student loan debts and paying extraordinary rents for tiny apartments, and were the first ones to get hit when the economy tanked. Yes, Jason's office was just off Wall Street. Yes, he did make what is, even to me, an outrageous first-year salary. But not everyone on Wall Street has been getting millions of dollars a year, or millions in severance pay to leave their jobs, and such a sentiment-arousing and attention-grabbing song as yours should at least acknowldge that there are stuggling folks in New York too, by adding a couple of beats to the line to say "The CEOs on Wall Street are living it up...." Also, I know that you don't come from New York so it's hard to know the different parts of the city that well, but it's kind of random that your picture in the NY Times is in the East Village, rather than Wall Street, since the East Village is a somewhat blighted and pretty run-down part of the city. Jason and I lived there one summer during law school, in an apartment dating back to the Civil War that was on the 6th floor of a walk-up building. With nothing replaced or refurbished since it was built, and with its share of bugs and mice, this apartment was $2,000 a month. I used the subway station you're leaning against in the NY Times picture. You did use the one fancy building in the area as your backdrop, but the East Village is a bedraggled part of the city, mostly made up of 100+ year old walk-up apartments, getting even older and seedier the further east and further away from the subway (and the further from NYU) you go. I'm sure you saw there was a Kmart across the street from you there. St. Mark's Place, one block east, is inhabited by colorful pierced and tattooed characters and punk shops, rather than shiny office buildings. I guess I have to accept that New Yorkers aren't usually the intended audience for country songs, but those of us who are struggling to get by here too deserve the rightful animosity of your song to be directed towards the CEOs on Wall Street, not the rest of us. Hope you can make this change. Thanks.
- Lauryn Slotnick
Detroit in Southeastern Ohio
For years, around Southeastern Ohio you have heard of Detroit (Detroit Diesel) but soon we may not. Because of all the problems the company has went from voluntary lay-offs, to mandatory lay-offs with no call backs, and now not even a full work week. They have been cut back to four days a week and even three days a week at some times. The big part of it is that this does not involve the supervisors and big shots. I have someone close that works there and is having a hard time because of the cut backs. He also has a farm to manage and take care of with being partially handicapped. The times have not hit the farm yet, thankfully, but more than likely they will. So in the Southeastern Ohio we really value your song because it doesn't hit home harder than Detroit in our neck of the woods.
- Erin
Thank-you
John, Thank-you so much for your song. My husband retired from Chrysler last year and last month I lost my job of 21 years when they closed the store that I worked at. We thought we had planned well for our retirement, but now we worry that we could lose our health insurance. My husband is a 7 year cancer surviver and I am working on 2 years without cancer, so to get coverage now would be almost impossible. It is nice to hear some one support the auto workers. Thank-you again, Cherri
- Cherri
suffering retiree
We were faithful GM employees for 30+ years. Now worried about losing pension; have already lost most insurance coverage. Still making same $ in pension since 1998. we aren't to blame for GM's downfall...how can all these American's think it wasn't going to affect the nation's economy if they purchase foreign vehicles??? It also isn't our fault that the management of General Motors sends info to the workers/retirees showing the HUGE benefit/salary/stocks being made by numerous management, CEO's, CFO, VP, etc; etc... it has been going on for decades. The auto industry and other industries = the middle class carries the burden of the taxes to bail big businesses out, and we are losing our pensions, insurance -- your song has REALLY hit home in the Dayton OHIO area and across the country. Everyone that has retired is worried sick about what is going to happen to our pensions. Some how, somewhere - something needs to happen. We have lost our 'investments' it's a shame and a sin what is going on with the auto industry and the flood of 'trickle down' effect, wall street and the financial banking system are a disgrace. thank you, John for saying something to the working class Americans who keep this country together with their backs. i have over $25K in medical bills - who can pay that??? not the working class American peace
- Bernadette
Tribute to the Workers of the GM Linden Plant
As a photographer and visual artist I often put music to my images. Hearing your incredibly heart felt and powerful song brought a wash of emotion that I find difficult to explain. 'Shutting Detroit Down' is more than closing down the city of Detroit, but literally shutting down all of what Detroit stands for. While I am not GM employee I have a certain connection to the former GM Plant in Linden, NJ. In my lifetime I have seen and documented many important milestones in our history. Beginning in January 2008 I was hired to photograph the most difficult task I have ever encountered. The demolition of the General Motors Plant in Linden, NJ. I was hired by the demolition company to document their progress over the next 8 months. I jumped at the opportunity, not because I wanted to see them destroy an icon, but because of the history that was being made. Good or bad the history of our world needs to be documented. While there I made it a point to get to know the plant as best I could. I spent most of the first month I was there shooting the entire assembly line. Photographing what was left, as if there were workers there yesterday, were offices, store rooms, machine shops, paint booths and assembly lines. As demolition commenced cars began to idled by the outside fence to watch in horror as the only place they had ever worked , their entire lives, came crashing to the ground. Over the course of the next 8 months I did my best to immortalized the Linden GM plants final existence the best I could. As people began to photograph from outside the gates and chainlink fences I made it a point to talk to them and learn of their history here at the plant. I met people that had spent the better part of their lives in that building. The images that I made, preserving the past, I feel needs to be shared. Not so much the images of the demolition process, but the history of the Americans that worked in the plant it self. The images of the factory as it stood in the days, weeks and months before it was removed from site it has stood on, since 1933, needs to be seen by all. I would like to make the title of my tribute exhibition, 'Shutting Detroit Down', and to showcase your lyrics as its focal point.
- Stephen SetteDucati
AMEN!!!!!
Awesome Song and Video!!!! Thx man!!!! I Live in VA. and "USE" to work for a Large CO. that makes Automotive parts for most every MFG. out there.. I was laid off 5 weeks ago!!! Because of the "Detroit" situation. Tears streamed down my face when i saw the Video...cause its Soooo REAL... Man!!! Awesome Job on the Video!!!!!!! I am Living that Song and Video...!!! Thx again!!!!!!! The Un-Employed!!!!!!!!
- Alex Sowell
Layed Off From GM
Thank you for standing up for us. I live and work in Indiana. I work in a General Motors Foundry making transmission cases & engine blocks. I've been layed off since 2 weeks before Christmas 08' & have been told that I may not get to return to work until Jan. 2010, if even by then. My wife has had 2 surgeries in the last 2 months, & may need another one soon, & my insurance has run out. We're just trying to hang on for now, but it's getting harder day by day. It's nice to know that someone out there is for the common everyday working people. Thank you again for what you do. Your True fans Thank You
- Joe
This song packs a punch!
The first time I heard this song, I thought of my own family still living in Michigan, some of which currently work in the sutomotive industry. I am the daughter of a world war two vet who later went on to become an engineer for Ford Motor Co. My dad passed away many years ago but is probably rolling in his grave with all the crap going on now!! Times are tough for so many right now- hang in there people....and John....what a great song. Thankyou!!
- kathy backus
Thank You J.R.
While channel surfing a few years back,I first became aware of you through a show with the 'Warren Bros', on C.M.T.(Which tells you right there what level my humor runs on.) There was a segment where it showed you on your tour bus with (I believe) your grandmother. She was sewing on one of your shirts, and you were as sweet as could be to her. Fast foreward to the Glenn Beck show this past week,and there you were. Thank you for 'Shuttin'Detroit Down,' such a timely, and moving song. I live in the Bronx, N.Y.(Yes, one of those people who still cling to 'Jesus, and my second amendment rights.) I'm impressed with you once again, and will be looking foreward to the next time you cross my line of vision. I also will buy your CD. Godbless. Robin Dimaio
- Robin Dimaio
Young Farmer
I enjoyed your performance on the ACM's! Being a young producer, your comments regarding Farmer’s hits home. As each generation is further removed from the farm, I am truly concerned about the future of agriculture and the struggles we face. It is refreshing to know there are some celebrities that are not completely out of touch with reality and not afraid to voice their opinions!! Your voice of logic is unfortunately a rarity in today’s society, but thank you for doing what you can. Thank You, Allen Entz
- Allen Entz
Thank You
I just listen to Shuttin Detroit Down and finally someone speaks for all of us. I can not Thank You enough. For the first time in my life I could lose everything. I have spent most my life working and now my job is no more. I fear I could lose my house but yet we can all make sure that AIG and the auto industry stays wealthy. My father who went to war in World War 11 to defend his county so his family and all other family's would have a safe place to live must be turning in his grave now. He always told us this country would not let us down. I am so sorry to say he was wrong. This is not the time in my life I am spending money but I will spend the money to own this song.
- Lila
Thank You!
I have many friends, and family that have been affected as a result of the problems with the auto industry. My brother worked for GM Tech center (he is a draftsman and has an associate's degree). He was laid off in November 2008. He has never been laid off in 20 years. He did not do as many others did and buy a house that was too much for him. He lives in our Great Uncle's old house on what used to be our Great Grandfather's farm. Now, he is really scared because he can't find a job anywhere! Unemployment is going to run out soon for him, and I just pray for him everyday! It has been really hard on him and his family. Watching so many of my friends and family go through this is so very sad!!!!! I just saw your video today, and had a very hard time not crying! Thank you for speaking up for the "little man!"
- Heather
Failure to Honor
John, As it was so eloquently said tonight "It's not about the war, it's about the warrior." There are millions of veterans and widows who are missing out on a hidden VA benefit known as "Aid and Attendance" which can represent up to 23K tax-free money to help pay for care and assistance. Given the current economy, this benefit can be the defining piece of the type of care that can be afforded. As the daughter of a WWII veteran, I discovered the benefit 4 years ago and have dedicated my time and efforts to informing the public and trying to bring it to national attention. My site www.veteranaid.org is #1 nationally and is the most respected on-line resource on the subject. I have been the desperate daughter who had run out of options to provide for my elderly parents. I know this heartache. Please do what mainstream media and the VA won't - help me inform our veterans and their families about this critical financial resource. God Bless America. Debbie Burak
- Debbie Burak
Thanks
Thanks for the song! Thank you for being brave enough to speak up for those of us who do not get a voice in Hollywood. I support you 100%!!!
- cammy
Shuttin Detroit DOWN
Thank you for this song, it always takes country music to stand up for the little man and show the BS. I am 31 years old and have always driven a Ford. I have always been a Ford man but since all this has happened, I have become a Detroit fan. These companies are part of the reason this country is free and it makes me sick that people just dont give a shit whether they go under. It will be a sad day when you cant have a Ford vs Chevy conversation. You have a fan for life. Again THANK YOU, I can not say it enough for making this song. And Thank You to all the auto workers that make all the great American cars and trucks, I love my 2003 FORD SUPERDUTY and plan to buy another one this year.
- Marc Golding
I cried
I just wanted to say that I just watched the video "Shuttin' Detroit Down",I live in Michigan. I cried as I watched it because it is the truth. I am a certified elementary teacher who graduated six years ago and I taught preschool for five years & recently laid off. Schools are closing because money issues and low enrollment. My family is here in Michigan and I don't want to leave to find a job in another state if that's possible. My brother worked for a Ford plant then he was laid off because another Ford shut down & those employees moved to the plant he worked at. THANK YOU JOHN RICH FOR WRITING THIS SONG AND BEING OUR VOICE! The video was soooo touching and hit home.
- Tammy Lee
AMERICAN VET
JOHN GOD BLESS YOU AND THE SONG, I SAW YOU ON BECK AND ORDERED THE T SHIRT RIGHT THEN. I AM A 100% DISABLED VET I LOVE AMERICA AND SO TIRED OF HOW OBAMA AND THE GOV SELLING US OUT. I WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR AMERICA I LOVE. AFTER VIET NAM SOLIDERS WERE CURSED AND SPIT ON. NO ONE CARES FOR THEM. NOW OUR SOLIDERS VOLUTEERED AND ARE IN 100 PLUS TEMP AND COLD NIGHTS FOR US. THANK A SOLIDER IF YOU SEE ONE, YOU DDON'T KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO THEM. GOD BLESS OUR SOLIDERS, SERVICE PEOPLE,NURSES, V A, AND ALL WHO GIVE TO MAKE MINE AND YOURS RIGHT TO BE FREE. GOD HAVE MERCY ON US THANK YOU JOHN FOR THE SONGS. REMEMBER THESE PEOPLE NEXT TIME YOU VOTE.
- hank jayroe
Thank You!
I love that song. I am tired of watching people get bailed out of their bad choices. Our daughter and her husband have done three tours of Iraq, and we raised their children while they deployed. The real world is a truck driver and a bartender, stuffing three boys and two grandchildren in a double wide trailer. Going to work on two hours of sleep, because I have been up all night holding a baby grandaughter who misses her mommy. Seeing war protesters on TV, while I am begging God for their safe return. Watching people who bought more house then they could pay for, then get lower payments.Thank you for being our voice. God bless you.
- Nancy R
Hits home
I'm a contractor at a GM site in Michigan , My father work 30 years at Ford. I have two brother inlaws that work at GM. I have friends that do trucking for the big 3. If anybody in this country don't think that the auto industry is not important to this country they are in a fog. The day "SHUTTIN DETROIT DOWN" came out I started watching it and I had to stop it about half way through because for the tears that started rolling. This song and video are so true. We must wake up take care of our own.
- Jamie
To close for comfort
I heard the song the first on Music Choice, and then immediately turned around and purchased the single. I come from a long line of auto workers, and married into my husbands family whom many are also auto workers. Every day my husband leaves for work I thank God he still has a job. Its finally nice to hear someone sticking up for these men and women who work hard day after day in these hot factories, while those who complain sit in their air conditioned offices... This isn't just a Detroit problem like the media is liking everyone to beleive, its a Blue Collar problem!! :) Thank you for the song John!!!
- Kacy Farmer
Thanks for the voice
Thanks for speaking for us. As we watch our garand kids lives go down the drain with government spending on bailouts it's nice to have a voice that speaks loud and clear. Thanks John, God bless you. Jeff
- Jeff
I buy American
I started working at a Ford Motor Co. assembly plant in 1973 and I loved it. However, in 1983 the plant got shut down due to the sales of imports. I had a wife and 2 young kids plus a mortgage. I had to look for another job. I was blessed to find one and eventually retired with a pension and my family survived. When I walk thru a parking lot, I count the number of imports and it amounts to about 70% especially in California. Now that makes me mad! Thank you John Rich for your song - it's the truth. I will always buy American cars and trucks and have taught my sons to do the same. America is the best! You said it all on "Hannity". I am proud to be for Michigan!
- Johnboy
I buy American
I started working at a Ford Motor Co. assembly plant in 1973 and I loved it. However, in 1983 the plant got shut down due to the sales of imports. I had a wife and 2 young kids plus a mortgage. I had to look for another job. I was blessed to find one and eventually retired with a pension and my family survived. When I walk thru a parking lot, I count the number of imports and it amounts to about 70% especially in California. Now that makes me mad! Thank you John Rich for your song - it's the truth. I will always buy American cars and trucks and have taught my sons to do the same. America is the best! You said it all on "Hannity". I am proud to be for Michigan!
- Johnboy
Transferred after 25 years
Thank you so much for Shutting Detroit Down! My husband worked for Delphi Steering in Athens, AL for 25 years. Delphi has been in N. AL for 30 plus years and is closing this June. A couple of weeks ago, he had to transfer to Spring Hill, TN, just to have a little "job security". Now, we aren't really sure if the 4 hour drive round trip is going to give him any more job security. When you sing about the calloused hands, it makes me think of his hands. He has permanent callouses from working on the assembly line for 25 years. He never complains about the hard work, he just says that he will do whatever it takes to take care of our 5 year daughter and me. Thanks again for the song.
- R
John Rich/The Voice of America
I was just thinking that GM Big Shot Waggoner's severance pay will be $23 million. I wonder how many retirees would have benefitted from the company using that money to cover their health benefits. Ya know, the one's they REALLY worked for? My Dad got white lung from working in 3M in Detroit, and no money from them AT ALL, they basically killed him. So, keep up the good work, John, and bless you. May your career keep on keepin' on, ALL SUCCESS, all the time. We love you!! Your song's about Detroit AND all of America, people need to understand that. Thanks!
- Sandra
Thank You!
Just wanted to say thanks for bringing attention to all the hard workers out there. My husband works for Ford in specialized trades. He has not received a raise or a bonus in several years and just recently took a paycut. Insurance co-pays have gone up, benefits have gone down and he gets up at 3:30 am to start the day. But, he is the lucky one - he still has his job. We struggle to pay the mortgage and have a decent life for our kids - one of whom has a rare disease. I feel for so many out there, especially the ones who have lost their jobs. Like I said, we are lucky, but for how long and how long we can juggle our current mortgage with less and less money??? Thanks again!
- Detroit Family
Thank you
I don't have a "special" story. Mine is like many others here in Michigan. I am a (forced?) retired auto worker who is scared to death. Like so many, I wonder, "What do I DO?!" I can't sell my house, I can't find a job. I just wanted to thank you, Mr. Rich, for a song that, so beautifully, put our thoughts and frustrations out there. They say country music comes from the heart. Sir, I cannot imagine how big your heart is.
- Cheryl
Detroit
Dear Mr. Rich, I first heard your song Shuttin Detroit Down on the Hannity show, and seeing all the jobs being lost and leaving Calif. and seeing how it is happening all over, all because of the government and greed, you made me a very Proud American. You tell it like its is. I was taught that hard work and pride in our country would get us through any hard times ,this game from my mom and dad after they lived through the great deprestion. Then on Gleen Beck I heard the Great song about your grand father,but what realy got to me was your dedacation to all the Vets passed and present, because my folks also tought us that it was our duty to serve Our country and way of life, our family has served in WWII, and my dad in Korea and one of my Brothers and myself in Vietnam, I have had a niece and daughter in law both serve the combat zones now and we have a nefew getting ready to go over now. I have said this because you truely tell it like it is. As a disabled Nam vet i am trying to save up enough to get to see and here you sing and hopeing you come to a town close to us so we can do so. By the way GEAT t-shirt about America, going to get a couple. I just want to say Thank You Sir for telling it like it is and May God Bless You. B. Cotton Calif.
- Bruce Cotton
Patriotism is Not Dead!
I recently heard you song on my home in my new 2009 Dodge pickup. I am a Texas school teacher. My wife is as well. I believe in American enough that I went out and bought an AMERICAN truck because I believe in the spirit of the American worker. Prior to becoming a teacher I was an investment consultant for three different investment firms. I got so sick of seeing Wall Street executives earning massive bonues and salaries while my clients wer doing enough to barely get by. I wanted to help blue collar families learn how to invest for the future but I was told not to help anyone with less than $300,000 in assets. I left the industry and took a huge pay cut to work in a profession that will make a direct contribution to our society. Keep singing about what average ordinary Americans are going through every day!!! But also let everyone know that the old jobs of our parents generation are gone and that an education beyond high school will be a necessity in order to just have a job in 21st Century America! Why are we rewarding failure on Wall Street while hard working Americans are getting the shaft while losing their homes? Our political "leaders" are greatly out of touch with Main street America. We MUST create PRIVATE sector jobs that will last beyond the first four years of our current President's first term. Government doe not create jobs only entitlements. I served the United States in the Army under Presidents Reagan, Bush (41) and Clinton. We served to preserve the freedoms that our founders wanted us to have. Those freedoms are at risk! AMERICA WAKE UP AND VOTE OUT OF OFFICE EVERY DEMOCRAT THAT SUPPORTS THIS BAILOUT IN 2010!
- Mark
My Dad fought in the Kwadjelain islands...
I couldn't believe my ears when you sang on Glen Beck's program - my Marine Corp Dad fought in the Kwadjellain (sp?) Islands in WWII. Until I heard your song I had NEVER heard another person speak of the bloody horrendous battle in the Kwadjellains. When he died in 1988 - they removed over 4.5 pounds of shrapnel from his body before he was cremated. He never complained, never spoke of his injuries and was one of the most loyal and patriotic Americans I have ever known. Thank you for your absolute commitment to freedom! The Glen Beck program has never before left me in tears...but your song reduced me to a sobbing mess!
- Deborah Castelli
POWMIA song
Saw you on Huckabee - you believe in America, and are proud of it, as am I would you consider writing a song for POW-MIA's for all wars that we have fought in throughout the history of our country? I am a Vietnam vet and want to remind people that some people had to suffer tremendous hardship for all of us. So I think it is time to have a song commemorating them for their service to our country. Please forward this to John Rich. thank you, All Vets
- Larry R Pederson
Help! Lets Stand Together!!
I love your new song,and heard your story behind it on the Beck show. As we see many changes happening I am becoming more and more scared for me and my family. Our rights are being taken away, and beliefs decided for us. My family and some friends have decided to stand up and start fighting for what we believe in, and listening to your song inspires me to do so. On April 15th, my family and friends, plan to meet in Olatha Ks for the Tea Party @ 6:00. I would like to invite you to join us, and inspire others with your gift to do so! My children are so important to me, and what a opportunity to show them how to fight for our rights, and truley show them what being a true American is really about!! Thanks for being a down to earth, true to yourself American!! Hope to see you there:) Dee Munsen
- Dee Munsen
Even The Military Isnt A Safe Job Anymore
My name is Jaclyn and my husband's name is Eric. He has been in the service for a total of almost 9 years. He served 5 years in the Army, 4 years in the Navy, and has been in the Indiana National Guard for almost 1 year, serving on active duty orders since October 2008. In December of 2008, we were notified, after a doctor's appointment for what was thought to be a pinched nerve, that he had 6 herniated discs in his neck and would need immediate surgery. It was then that his command decided they were going to cut his military orders, due to a decline in military funding! My husband was going to be forced to spend 3+ months recovering from major surgery while not getting paid or being able to support our family of 4!! Well, I could not just sit back and take this!! I spoke out and contacted our Senator, Senator Richard Lugar!! Within 24 hours, my Husband's orders were extended through the end of September of 2009, allowing him to recover without having to worry about rent, food, or car payments! I would like to thank JR, a man who will probably never have to worry about what most folks do right now, but still speaks out on our behalf!! Thank you so much for uplifting our spirits with this song, and giving us something to rally around!!
- Jaclyn C
Farmers auctioning farms
I wanted to thank you for such a wonderful song about what is happening in this country right now. The part about farmers having to auction their farms off really hit home for me. We live on a dairy farm in PA and just had to file Chapter 12. I know of many others who will have to or have already done the same. Many have just given up and are selling out and giving up. The thing that scares me the most about this is the safety of our food supply in this country. If you stop and think about it, what better way for terrorists to affect a large group of people than to tamper with food. We have already had the milk scare in China, the lettuce, tomatoes and peppers that were imported. I know that we have to get some things from other countries but I feel that we shouldn't be as dependant on the imports as we have been. Shuttin' Detroit down is affecting the farms too as a lot vehicles are purchased to use on farms and in related agribusinesses. Feed mills, seed companies, veterinarians, fertilizer and spray companies, equipment dealers, repair shops and supply companies just to name a few. Agriculture and the auto industry are the backbone of this country and something needs to be done to stop the "bleeding". Thank you again for a wonderful song and powerful message!!!
- Mary Schmidt
Its about time
I enjoyed seeing you on Glenn Beck's show. Your song is beautiful... I really loved the T-Shirt, you said you had alot left. I have searched your web page, also Glenn's, but can't seem to fine it... Please let me know where I can get one. Keep up the good work...We need more songs like the one you song tonight and more people like you. Thank you. God Bless Claire
- Claire
what i thought
i remember where i was when i heard the song on the radio for the first time... I'm a over the road truck driver working for Hill Brothers Transportation out of Omaha Nebraska. I was pulling into marshalltown iowa, when i came off the highway to head to my pick up the song came on the radio. All i could think of at the time was it's about time someone made a song that really speaks out to the public on the hard times that the honest working man goes thru. No one really thinks about what happens to someone till the worse hits. Back in feb i found out my mother got laid off from her job and then just a few weeks later the state wasn't sure how they were gonna pay their employees, not to mention those on unemployement now. This really sucked for my parents since my dad worked for the state and mom was trying to get her benefits. My parents are in their upper 50's and now they are gonna have to work even longer to make it and get thru their retirement years, and yet where is the government that is for the people when the honest hard workers are needing this bail out. They can give it to the big companies and they get the bonus checks and in the mean time they think nothing about the people who really make the wheels turn to get them into the high position of the company. Not alot of people in the bigger cities think about where all the stuff comes from and how it gets there. they dont think about the single Mom or Dad trying to earn a living and put food on the table for their kids. People daily are getting laid off from their jobs and the suits dont really care. From people that make cars, big trucks, build homes, working in the factories, and many more places they are the ones that really need the bail out so the children of tomorrow can make it. They are the next leaders and somewhere out there i hope that the one special kid gets that break and makes it to washington and takes action for the honest middle and lower class people trying to live paycheck to paycheck. I hope to hear more songs like this and so just maybe one day it will get into the political arena and they figure out we need help too. One proud truck driver from small town kansas...
- casey welch
Detriot and the US
I want to thank you for being a voice for the working people of this country. I work at International Paper in Arkansas and we are down to 3 days a week. They realy don't have any idea what they are doing in DC or on WallStreet to the people that make this country run! Your song has given me hope in that there are other people that see what is going on, however how long are we going to put up with it. They can't collect taxes if there are no jobs!!!
- Fred
Our Country
Thank you so much for speaking about how you feel about our wonderful nation. I know I speak for many thousands of proud Americans when I say that we need more of you. I watch Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck and I Thank God that they invited you to be on there shows. I started my own company almost one year to this date and just wonder how this so called government is going to screw up every small business that drives America. I can't even put President in front of Obama as I feel there is so many hidden agenda's to take this country down and he is so Un-American. Your story and your music hit's me so personal that when I was eleven my Dad was very ill, and I remember right before he died he held my hand and said, Son, you work hard and you will be successful and you would earn everything you get. I will never forget my Dad for the values he instilled in me and what this Country was to him and to this day I love America and will fight to get it back. Obama is throwing our Money the American people under the bus as our Country and it's time for us Proud Americans to fight and get back to the GREAT U.S. of A...Thank you John Rich...God Bless you and you made me a country fan. Ed
- Ed Maj
Proud Citizens of Michigan
Thank you for your new song. My husband and I are Proud Citizens of Michigan as well as Proud Veterans of the United States Air Force. Growing up the Big 3 and still to this day are apart of your family. You always buy a Ford , GM or Chrysler. Buying a Toyota , Honda etc. is not right where we are from. Support the American workers and Buy American is what your told your whole life . We watched years ago as our family lost their jobs at Electrolux Home Products in Greenville , Michigan. 2700 hundred jobs lost to Mexico. Then like a quiet Tsunami suppliers for the plant closed shop with more to follow. Farms are up for sale , homes lay vacant with no one with live in them. It breaks our heart to see our state as well as our fellow Americans struggling for survival while the CEO's walk away with billions and Washington just gives them a slap on hand. Five years later the Electrolux Plant is torn down and grass remains but the hard work , sweat of Our Dads , Moms , Aunts , Cousins etc. still remains. GM, Ford and Chrysler would not be there today if it were not for the hard work of their employees while these Big Shots are walking away rich its the employees in the fight for their life. Their jobs , health care , pension are on the line. Yet they continue to sacrifice giving up 10 percent and more of their pay and the list goes on. The Big 3 go under our state and nation are in trouble. Speaking from experience seeing what happened at Electrolux. Its not just GM, Ford, or Chrysler workers that are effected. The auto suppliers go down too. Its a domino effect. AIG goes on 400,000 junkit and receives 30 billion more in aid and counting. No oversight to keep an eye on them or conditions yet The Big come for help and get thrown out to dry but get aid with a list of requirements a mile long. BUY AMERICAN SUPPORT AMERICAN JOBS. You help our country by buying our products and not buying foreign made products. We have started on a quest for an all American product house. Fiestaware , Pyrex , Anchor , etc. My husband and I save our pennies and buy a little at a time then throw out the cups made in China , measuring cups and replace them with American Made. Every time we going shopping its American Made Food and Products if it says Made in China etc. we put in down. When you see your whole family lose their jobs to overseas lands you realize how important that wording is on your clothes , groceries made in the usa. We have the best workers in the world who take pride in their work and it shows when you have a car , truck for 15 plus years and its goin strong. Every job in this country is essential and Washington needs to understand. The Blue Collar Workers are the back bone of this country. Thank you John Rich for this song that has touched My family and Thank you GM , Chrysler and Ford employees for all your hard work and the great vehicles you give us to drive. My husband and I have a Chevy Malibu and a Ford Explorer we have been asked by several people if we would sell our car and Explorer to them. Always told them no with a smile. our cousin drives a Ford Ranger and 130,000 plus miles later its still driving now that's what you can expect from an American Made Product. Reliable , Faithful , Dependable and made with pride in the United States Of America. God Bless our Country and our Workers we will survive this and be stronger than ever. Thank you Dad , Aunt Mary , Kasey , Kory , My husband's Dad,Uncle Dan , Ernie as well as our whole family and every American worker.
- Nate&Marcie
shuttin detroit down
Being a retiree from the Auto Industry, I worry every day if I am going to have a decent retirement in the near future. Your song put a smile back on this old tired face because it is so ture. If the auto Industry goes down so will our wonderful Country. I put in 30 years of very hard work. So I sit and wonder if the ceo's are worrying about their pension, I think not. But thank you John for writing Shuttin' Detroit Down I tell everyone about your song whether they like Country or not, they are going to hear about your song. Again Thank You John. Mary
- Mary
GM Retired
Dear JR, I left my home in Texas to visit my Dad for a week in Ohio where he is Dayton GM retired. On the 1,000 mile trip I listened to your song, Shuttin Detroit Down and I thought of my Dad, my GM retired Grandpa and Uncle. I spent 15 hours searching each station through every major city (Littlerock, Memphis, Nashville, Louiville, Cincinnatti) to locate your song again and I had alot of luck with that. My Dad, Grandpa and Uncle worked at Delco for 30+ years in 130 degree factory all their life, earning their pension and medical and now all could be losed. My Dad's 62 years old and may have to flip burgers for a living. My Dad and other family spent their entire working life for Delco (GM) We all fear for their future. I had a wonderful time with my Dad and family members and as we were pulling out of his drive way to head back to Texas, I seen his tears and my heart was breaking, as I missed him already and I know his future is uncertain. As we approaced the Cincinnatti bridge, your song came on and I thought of him, his past with GM and his unknown retired future and I cried like crazy. My girls in the back seat just sat back with their mouths closed and their eyes opened as we listened to your song and the total truth behind it. Your song brings so much meaning to me as well as many many other Americans and I want to thank you for bringing it to the attention of the public and rotten politicians and executives. Thanks a bunch! Your sister in hand! Theresa
- Theresa Styron
Hannity show
John, I want to thank you so much for speaking out the way you did on the Hannity Show. I loved it, but do you think anyone else heard you? You voiced your opinion and mine very well. I doesn't take s scientist to under stand where are problems lie. This government is totaly not paying attention to what needed to be done here. I wish more of the popular sect whould voice their own opinion but I think they are afraid of the fall out they may receive. What Obama is doing is wrong pure and simple. We don't want more government controling our lives. Just let us live in peace and not have to worry about all these things he is stirring up in this country. The housing market, the war, now we can't refer to certain words they have been banded from the vocabulary. I don't mind helping out a neighbor when in need but I do object to the government taking control of my money and using it for their own gain. But I just really enjoyed hearing you speak out against the very serious problems we are now induring. Thanks you listening. Donna
- Donna Wilson
Hannity show
John, I want to thank you so much for speaking out the way you did on the Hannity Show. I loved it, but do you think anyone else heard you? You voiced your opinion and mine very well. I doesn't take s scientist to under stand where are problems lie. This government is totaly not paying attention to what needed to be done here. I wish more of the popular sect whould voice their own opinion but I think they are afraid of the fall out they may receive. What Obama is doing is wrong pure and simple. We don't want more government controling our lives. Just let us live in peace and not have to worry about all these things he is stirring up in this country. The housing market, the war, now we can't refer to certain words they have been banded from the vocabulary. I don't mind helping out a neighbor when in need but I do object to the government taking control of my money and using it for their own gain. But I just really enjoyed hearing you speak out against the very serious problems we are now induring. Thanks you listening. Donna
- Donna Wilson
Tribute to the Working People
First of all, I want to Thank You for writing such a tribute to all the hard working people of this nation and not just Detroit. I have lived in the Detroit area all my life and worked for 14 plus years for a vendor of the big three. Due to our 4th reduction in workforce, I lost my job as a result of financial decisions and didn't get any type of a severance package. It seems unfair that companies that are getting the help to survive are wasting the monies that you and I are contributing. Looking forward to your next visit to Detroit. This song is truly appreciated by everyone in this nation as we are all hard working and just trying to survive and provide for our families. Michigan is very scary right now, but I have faith that we will surive and better days are coming. The words of the song are exactly what we are all thinking. Thank you for being our voice.
- Barb
shuttin down detroit
thank you so much for this anthem, i'm 23 years old and i've spent my whole life on my family's farm in WI, recently its just been my father and i due to the loss of my mentor and grand father a couple of years ago, (before that i had the tiypical child hood in that being i never really left his side) due to this current economy we are selling off cattle bit by bit just to stay ahead of the curve, we are even looking into selling off are farm, a farm would have been a third generation bisness and home. When i heard this most recent song,"shuttin down detroit" i have to tell you it really hit me, it hits me so hard it makes it difficult to get threw that song without falling apart. Thank you so much, mitch
- Mitch
Thank You
John, I am thankful every day for your music. You are not afraid to stand up for what you believe in. I am proud to say I am a John Rich fan every day and will tell anyone who will listen about you and Big and Rich and the good you are doing. I think Shuttin' Detroit Down is the anthem that was definitely needed for what is going on in the nation currently. You really hit the nail on the head! The part of the song that really strikes a cord with me is about farmers. You see my father was the foreman on a farm. There were times he put more time in than the owner of the farm. I can remember growing up and not seeing my dad for days because of the hours he put in working. He would be up and out planting, watering, preparing for the day, before daylight and then wouldn't be home til long after dark and my sister and I had long since gone to bed. He did this not only for his family but because he loved his job. Shuttin' Detroit Down has definitely brought much needed attention to our country's situation. Thank you again for sharing your talent with us! Sincerely, Amy Idaho
- Amy
RIGHT ON!
I own a machine tool manufacturing business just outside of Detroit. Needless to say, things are really grim. My employees are relying on me to pay them so that they can make their mortgage payments and put food on their tables. I am doing everything humanly possible to not have to lay off my guys, including not taking a paycheck myself. Yet, their hours have been cut 40% since November, and could get worse. I was thrilled to hear someone tell it like it is here in Detroit. I will always be so proud of the place I call home, and I know we will survive and thrive again one day - maybe not tomorrow, but some day. We are so powerful in the sense that we can take the fall and get back up again - it's in our blood. Nothing can knock us down for good. Thank you for this heartfelt song, John. I am not the biggest country fan on earth, but it's not about genre, it's all about heart. And this song has a lot of that. I hope that one day you will turn around and write a song once we are back on our feet, about how Detroit is kicking ass and is so prosperous that everyone wants to move here!!! When that happens, call me and I'll help you with the lyrics. With warm regards, Tammy Brainard
- Tammy Brainard
Thank You
I have lived in suburban Detroit my entire life.My Grandparents immigrated here from Europe, and worked hard to make a better life for themselves and their family. Times were tough,but they worked hard and pulled together to make it through.This included losing a home in the Great Depression. I still feel that many Michigan people still have that hard working spirit. I hope we can also pull together and help each other through this difficult time. It is so frightening what is happening in this state.Our future seems so uncertain. John, I want to thank you for appearing on Hannity last evening.(March 24,2009)I, and others felt that for the first time someone spoke for us. Like our voice was heard.Please consider doing this type of appearance again. You "get" it, and it was so refreshing to have someone cut through the double talk and non-answers.Keep on telling it like it is...we really appreciate it.Thank you!
- Lisa
This song relates to all of our nation.
This song relates to not only Detroit, but all of our nation. I am a freight broker, the big shots of manufacturing and our big shots in Washington is heading to shut our nation down. I've seen so many small carriers go out of business due to the rates out there of hauling freight(I used to be one). The small business's I've contacted for freight have gone out of business. A countless number of employees from these business's have been laid off from their jobs. Yet we are supposed to bail them out with bail out moneys, our money and money from the banks so they can put in a 25 million dollar toilet which I heard on the news yesterday, instead of placing the money back into the economy. The stimulous package that the president is proposing is not for the small business owners but the major business's who make a certain amount of money each year. Thus leaving out the small business owner's who are trying to survive and live the "American Dream." Is loosing your business or jobs the American dream? Thank you so much for writing this song and publishing it. This song is so very true for many in Detroit and all across our nation. They are shutting down America.
- Debby
shuttin down detroit
I first heard the song Shutting Detroit down on the local country radio station. The song hits home in two ways for my family, my dad works for a dairy farm, which is having to sell some cows to help pay all the bills and my husband is as laid off auto worker. The whole state of Michigan really depends on the Big 3 in Detroit. I live in Western Michigan, which is full of automotive parts factories. My husband, was laid off from Gentex, which makes the rear dimming rear view mirrors, in December. I would like to thank, John Rich, for writing this song, he has voiced what many americans are thinking about right now.
- sandi
THANK YOU JR
I Want To Thank John Rich For This Song Because Its The Truth Im A Hard Working Single Women. Who Does Not Get To Work A Lot Of Hours Because If Whats Going On So Thank You John Rich For That Song It Touchs My Heart.
- KEELI
You made me proud
Mr. Rich, I watched you on Hannity. You made me proud when you, basically, shut them up and told them what American's are thinking and feeling. That took "orbs"...bravo. I normally do not appreciate celebrities taking advantage of their spotlight to express their political views...like those in Hollywood. Sir, you make speak for me anytime. You have morals and values that built this great country. Thank you from this Proud American Infidel.
- Charlotte
fan in midwest
Thanks for the great song. My husband works in the packaging industry and some of his company's accounts include packaging for shipping auto parts as well as making packaging for other US manufacturers who are currently moving overseas or to Mexico one by one because the political climate in the US just doesn't support private business. Our business is hurting to say the least. My family's income is half of what it was a year ago. We have close friends who are REALLY struggling because they own or work at car dealerships selling vehicles for the big 3. Your song sums up the plight of most "forgotten" Americans. Thank you.
- LP
song - Shutting Detroit Down
I have 3 sons working at Chrysler in Windsor, Ontario Canada just across the river from Detroit. Your song, I hope, reaches the people as we are feeling it here also. What a wonderful song, keep the songs coming. I have been a country fan for ohhhhhh about 55 years.
- Pat Alexander
JR on Glenn Beck
This is just for JR. After watching you and hearing your song I got these words coming into my head. I'm not a writer of lyrics and they aren't very good. I just wanted to share them with you. Do with them what you want. I saw your guitar "Made in the USA." I've been watching the news more in the last month than in my whole 63 years of life. I've learned that when DC didn't want to have to stick to the gold standard that backed our dollar, they started printing money and began to borrow from China. China wanted a guarantee so they said they would buy their products. Here's what I started thinking. Throw it away, redo the whole idea with better words, give the idea to someone else. I didn't spend but 5 minutes writing down what I was thinking. They sold our soul to China cause they had to have it now. The workers in the USA were digging in the ground, they were sweating on production lines and managing our towns. But DC had to have it and they wanted it right now so they sold our soul to China cause they had to have it all. Most everything we use or wear says that it's made there. Our workers have no jobs, the lines are shutting down, and they're cutting back on who can manage towns. Now you I must account for the plastic that we spend: the things we want and have to have right now. DC is still a spending on pork and earmarks too. They don't know how to stop cause they sold our soul to China, they wanted what they wanted and had to have it now. JR, Keep on speaking (singing) for the American people who don't think they have a voice.
- Vicki Trevisanut
Glenn Beck Show
John - being a born-n-raised TEXAN from Corpus Christi, I thoroughly enjoyed your music and views on the March 25th Glenn Beck show ... I wish you the very best in your life and am looking forward to more of your great, truthful music about this stupid idiotic Government! Have a great day! http://govtrav.com
- Airfare Discounts
West Texas Boy
I didn't know until today 3/25/09 that John Rich is a fellow West Texas boy. You have my respect and admiration for the stand you have taken. I was taken out of my mother's house as a young boy and moved to Odessa, Texas because of the 4 alcoholic's living in our 2 bedroom house (2 uncles, mother and step-father). My sister raised me, made me go to school and I graduated from Odessa Permian. I worked in the oilfield in Odessa for about 5 years in the summers, and during years I laid out of college at Texas Tech in Lubbock. I also worked fulltime during the semesters I was at Tech. There was no money in my family to help, I HAD TO DO IT! Finally, I was able to graduate from Tech, and was the first one in my family to do so. I have worked in the oil business for 30 years through hard times and good times. I am not rich, but only part of the middle class, however, I paid off the mortgage on my house, my car notes and pay my other bills on time. I learned how to work hard early, with no one giving me anything but a chance to work. Hard work pays off, you get respect and most of all you respect yourself. This country has gotten soft, lazy and too many want a handout because it is the easy way. In the meantime, the burden is placed on the rest of us who have worked so hard to survive to carry their weight and ours. TAKE AWAY THE CRUTCHES (FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS) AND STAND ON YOUR OWN. As we say in West Texas....be a man and cowboy up! God Bless you John Rich
- Richard Gauthier
Moto no more
Detroit is getting a lot of press lately, I live in Arizona and we have taken huge hits too, in the electronics industry, they have sent almost all of our manufacturing offshore and data centers to India and Mexico. Motorola had over 30,000 employees in the PHX area in 1999, now there are less than 500 people left. We work for one of the divisions that Moto split off and we have had about 30% workforce reduction over the past year. It is like the angel of death looming over the factory. So far I am employed (THANK GOD), But we all know it is just a matter of time before they have another round of layoffs. You are speaking the truth in this song, we are hard working people, we have invested in our 401K only to see them tank, we have raised our kids with strong work ethics only to see $7.50 per hour jobs available. These Trillion Dollar plans are not going to FIX America.. jobs, building real products, parts, cars, domestically will FIX America. Place sanctions on "MADE IN CHINA" or "Make in Indonesia" products etc.. . WRITE or EMAIl or CALL to your Senators and Congress people, they represent you, they are supposed to VOTE how we want them to VOTE. Be heard.
- Grace
our forefathers
If my forefathers were still alive they would be rising up against what is happening in this country. My many greats grandfather fought with General Washington and helped this country become independent.He was given a piece of land here in Pennsylvania to farm of which he did till he died, but he knew his family was free from tyranny so the blood, sweat and tears were worth it. It makes me sick that I also work all day, raising my family, scrapping by and the money I make is going to people who get free health care, housing and whatever they have their hands out for. While the rest of us who work have to pay for our own health care and anything else we need. It seems like we are heading back to tyranny and need to stop it now. I agree with John in that we should remove everyone in Washington and start over. Johns music inspires me to keep on fighting, and tells us the story how he is connected to what the rest of America is feeling. Keep writing and singing to us, so We the people know someone cares.
- pattie s.
the "D"
Hey y'all....Everyone here in the "D" can relate to this song. Even if you don't work in automotive all our friends, relatives and neighbors do. All businesses here are touched by what happens with the big three as well as the housing industry. We are all in this together trying to make it through. John, looking forward to seeing you this summer at Pine Knob. You will take the house down with this new song. Thank you!
- Mary Jo
Jets
Thank you for your honesty, and saying what most of us want to say and feel. I work for a private jet manufacturer, and (as one of the other writers put it) you could say that the aircraft industry is the Detroit of Wichita. Thousands of jobs, good friends, and skilled people, are gone from the company. Very sad. I think it is great that you have written music that speaks to everyone on such a personal level in one way or another, and given people a little something to smile about. I hope you and Big Kenny can come to Wichita - I'll definitely buy a ticket!
- Lynn
GM auto worker
My husband has worked for GM for 28 and a half years. His plant in Grand Rapids, MI is slated to close this year. He is taking an early retirement in 2 days basically because we don't know what the future holds as far as a job with GM. We only hope that his pension plan holds out and our health insurance continues. "Shuttin Detroit Down" has become an anthem for our family. It has touched us deeply. Thank you for writing it!
- Julie
Three Generations
My single-mom daughters and I thought we had figured out a way to beat the high cost of living in southern california. We found a small suburban town that was commutable for everyone's job, and Oma, that's me, could be home full time [although employed from home], to keep the home fires burning for the 5 grand children. We saved about $30k for a down payment and bought a 3000sq ft house, still under construction, that could accommodate us all into 4 mini-households. We did fine for the first 4 years, but were then talked into one of those 'teaser' loans. We bet and lost, getting sucked into interest rates that could only be considered criminal. It never occured to us that they could change the terms 'arbitrarily' from 6% to as high as 20%, OR that they would/could adjust the rate every 6 months at will. Nothing linked to the decreasing prime rate or our payment history....just arbitrary. We felt stupid, but had to make the very hard decision to give the house back to the bank. That was Christmas 2007 and we were lucky that there was no depreciation in value that could have cost us additional liability. We were never able to talk to a bank, or the lender to negotiate for better terms. That was our first epiphany of how the mortgages were split into parts and sold off, probably in anticipation of the higher interest rates that would continue to kick in. This wasn't a mortgage, it was a bait and switch game. However, it was our fault, we chose to switch to a loan that gave us an extra few years of lower payments...so, we split up and made the decision to save, clear our heads and wait for the housing bubble to burst, as we knew it would. It did, but the prices won't fall to the bottom, so we can start again. At least not this year, or the next. No, these same banks and financial institutions who took bigger risks...are getting money to negate their risk and, they'll bill us for it in tax increases. We're all renting now and don't have the same deductions that homeowners have. Will the government continue to shore up house values for the banks who aren't lending anymore, just so they can take their profits before the bottom drops out. I think they will. Thanks to you and Glenn Beck and the other patriots who understand that we just want the government to do their job and no more. They should have protected the homeowners from the corruption and fraud in the mortgage industry, not the other way around.
- Maria Jacobs
how you helped me
big kenny and john rich have helped me through some rough times i just went through a bad divorce and their music has helped me out when i needed it and john music has helped me put a lot i like the way he says the things that matter to him i like him in gone country i like his music so much john and big kenny are a role model for me
- tiffany johnson
GM Family
I have never been so proud to say where I am from, Michigan the outskirts of Detroit. Growing up, I remember taking family trips in my grandfathers 68 Pontiac Wagon. He worked for GM all his life, and retired. He is now deceased and we still have his 68 Pontiac Wagon. We take it crusin at the Woodward dream cruise every year, it needs body work but still runs like a champ. I have to be honest, everytime I get in that car now I shed a tear for him and every other working man that built these cars. This is what his life was all about, working for the car company, buying cars, having nice things, making a family to be proud of, and staying loyal to the big three. I'd listen to my grandfather rip on the foreign car makers, and because of him I stay loyal to the local car companies too. It is just what we do here in the "D".
- Amy Hogan
Working Harder
I never thought I would fear for the future but I have. I still have a job and am very thankful and blessed. I truly wonder where our country is headed in the days, weeks and months ahead. I love my country and feel guilty that I didnt serve in our military like my sister and brother. My brother leaves for Afghanistan for the 3rd time soon. Many thanks for supporting the backbone of the US the working folks and our troops who allow us to live free every day!! Your songs create hope and make us smile as You GET IT! I havent been much of a country music fan but I do own Big and Rich and soon your new album- I really like it! Please get some more love america t-shirts in stock as I have many to buy. God Bless You and keep up the fight.
- Sue Berryhill
Your song
Although I don't have any connection to the auto industry. I was brought up in a hard midwestern working class family. I just wanted to say that this is a powerful song. I appreciate your honesty in your music and this song.
- Robin
My Dad
In the early 70’s, when I was about 10 years old, we lived in Southern Indiana on the Kentucky Indiana border. We lived out about 6 miles from the nearest neighbor. My Dad could not find work so he went to Michigan to work and left my mom and all 6 of us kids at home. He found work in the car industry. He is a body man (and a good one at that). He still could not come home more than maybe once a month so we did not see him much. One day we were all sitting under a quilt for warmth (we had run out of wood for heat) and mom was doling out a spoon at a time, to us 6 kids, one can of frozen kidney beans which was the last thing to eat in the house. Dad was not supposed to be back for another 2 weeks but he came in the door about that time with a bag of grocery’s (mom had been praying for someway to feed her children) My dad was so upset that we were all packed up that evening and all brought back to Michigan with him. Now with my dad working so hard all his life for his family, he is making thru Social Security, about $500 a month for him and Mom to live on (they were finally able to move back down south to Tennessee) and there house is falling down around them because they don’t have the money to fix it and those fat cats want to take more money from him so they can continue to have bonus’s and outings and hugh homes and private jets… I am so mad and so frustrated with no where to turn so Thank you so much for writing the song Shuttin Detroit Down! It says what I want to say and I really appreciate it! Thank you for seeing what is happening and responding to it for those of us who do not have a voice!
- Carol Rambo
My Dad
Never before has a song touched my being like "Shuttin' Detroit Down." I first heard it at a time when my family was going through the day by day worry our future with the automotive industry. I grew up in a quiet suburb outside of Detroit. My dad went to work nearly twelve hours a day, seven days a week to support our family of five. He has worked for the automotive industry for over thirty years now. Recently, he took a retirement package not because he could afford to retire, but because he wanted to protect a job for a younger worker who was trying to keep his family afloat. I believe this the truest form of integrity and compassion. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for paying homage to those who go to work for a living. It is during these difficult times that their voices are overshadowed and lost.
- Stephanie
Laid off single mom
I just want to thank John for this song. Ive been laid off from a GM plant in parma Ohio since before Christmas. There are about 400 of the 1200 people that work at this plant that are currently laid off. And then to hear about AIG just makes me so angry .im telling everyone i know about your song. And thank you again for writing a song that is so true and real to our times.
- sheila rosewell
GM pension
I live in the Detroit area. Thank goodness I still have my job, but only working part time. My children are grown so I moved back in with my mother to help both of us out paying the bills. She's getting by with her social security and my deceased father's GM pension, but is scared to death she is going to lose that along with her GM health insurance...which has already disappeared. My father paid $500 a month extra into his pension fund so my mother would be comfortable after he died, so that money is rightfully hers! But I'm thinking all those bigshots probably have already spent every dime. My mother is 80 years old, so there's no way she can go back to work and try to start over. If GM goes under and she loses her pension I won't know what to do because I sure can't afford to cover that along with all the other bills which are STILL rising sky high! Thank God my car is paid for, but we'll lose the house. I know things are a lot worse for others and I try to help out all I can, but that's taking it's toll too. But thanks for the song because I know EVERYBODY can identify with it. Let's just hope it wakes somebody up!
- Sally
Thank You
I just wanted to say Thank You for the song "Shuttin' Detroit Down". I heard it for the first time today on Good Morning America and was really touched by the message it sends to Wall Street and our "leaders" in Washington D.C., I am the wife of a hard-working coal miner in West Virginia and as you probablly already know its feast or famine around here, so this song rings true for the families in our area. My husband has been fortunate so far, he has not lost his job, but so many others have. We are praying that will change and all Americans will be able to go back to work soon. We are suppose to be the country of opportunity not dispair. I would just like to say I am proud to share a country with people like you who have a voice and aren't afraid to use it for the good of the people. Thanks again and keep up the good work. -Liz
- Liz
Shuttin Detroit Down
I never had a song touch my heart as this one did this morning as I watched it on GMA. Being a man who was born and raised in Detroit and still lives just outside of the city this song hits the nail on the head. I work for a large company that supplies products to Ford Motor Company and I've watched my shift be reduced to almost becoming non-existent.Now I go to work every afternoon wondering will I still have my job today? This is something that is very common I imagine here in the greater Detroit area. It shouldn't be that way and we are tired of hearing about all of the multi-million dollar salaries being paid out to all of these so called CEO's and here we are trying to go to work and keep our lives just barely afloat. I'm trying to start my own business in case something were to happen to my current job but that has hit some snags but I have to keep trying just to have a plan "B" since work in my field is not abundant here anymore. I could go on for a long time on how I feel about the current situation but I just wanted to thank Mr. Rich for such a touching song that tells it like it is here in the motor city. Thanks so much Mr.Rich God Bless America & God Bless Detroit. Nick Welyki
- Nick Welyki
Outsourced
I live in northern California and the unemployment rate here is now in the double digits. I am one of those double digits. Because of the high cost of doing business in California I have lost two jobs in the last three years to outsourcing. The first was in 2006 when my job at HP was outsourced to Costa Rica. The second time was September 2008 when the call center I was working in was moved to Corpus Christi Texas. While the second job was taken from me it wasn't as bad because at least they kept the jobs in the U.S. this time. I have had a really hard time trying to find work since then and the prospects are getting bleaker by the day. I am stressing out over this which is starting to take a toll on me health wise. I am doing my best to find a way to deal with the stress. Listening to country music helps. Especially the music of Big & Rich and John Rich’s solo projects. No matter how bad things are for me I know there are others out there who are in worse shape than me. So at night before I fall asleep I talk with God. I say "Thank you for today and for any possibility of a tomorrow. May those who are sick be well. May those who are hungry find food. May those who are homeless find shelter. May those who feel alone find someone to share things with. May the leaders of the world find the wisdom to lead us all to peace.” Lately I am throwing in “May the leaders in this country take their heads out of lock and stop running the greatest nation into the ground with all of this corporate welfare!!!”
- Colleen
The Life of Methode
I was recently laid off from an automotive factory because it was shipped to Mexico and China. I worked at the plant for 14 years, had a chance to experience all 3 shifts. I just think it is sad that so many people have lost their way of making a living in the USA. Think Shuttin' Detroit Down tells a Great story of what is going on today!!
- Paula
single mom
i want to thank john for this song because its the truth im a hard working single mom who does not get to work alot of hours because if whats going on so thank you john for that song
- shawna
GM
We would like to invite you to the City of Warren Celebration @ City Square. The Festival will be held right across the street from the GM Tech Center. The evening we would like to invite you for is our Salute to Local Heroes which will be held on September 11, 2009. I can't think of anybody who would be better that you for this evening. You have made a difference in our lives with your powerful lyrics about this crisis and I think people will really respond to you at this event. Please call us for more information. Henry Bowman
- Henry Bowman
Elkhart, Indiana
Elkhart Co. and St. Joseph Co. in Indiana are as bad off as Detroit. Unemployment in Elkhart is almost 20%. Up until 2 years ago Elkhart was the RV capital of the world, then gas prices soared and nobody could afford to drive the RVs they have let alone buy new ones. All the factories have shut down and thousands were put out of work. I guess you could say Elkhart Co. is the Detroit of Indiana.
- Rhonda Brown



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