Gov. John Hickenlooper has picked up a celebrity endorsement and a music lesson, depicted in a video his re-election campaign released Thursday afternoon.
In the two-minute video Ryan Tedder from the band OneRepublic tries to teach the musically limited incumbent how to play the megahit “Counting Stars.” The band got together in Colorado Springs in 2002.
At the end Tedder takes away the pick and guitar, after telling the governor there’s no future for him in music.
“You are very good at liking music and listening to it,” Tedder tells Hickenlooper. You are not very good at playing it or anything to do with it.”
The governor was complimentary of his critic. “Ryan and OneRepublic are great examples of why Colorado rocks,” Hickenlooper said in a statement. “Our arts and culture scene is one of the reasons our economy was just rated number one by Business Insider and one of the reasons so many of us love Colorado.”
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Tedder released a statement endorsing the Democrat.
“John has always been a strong supporter of the arts in Colorado, both because he loves them, and because he knows they’re good for our economy,” Tedder stated. “He’s a great guy who has helped turn our state’s economy around, even during some really tough times. He may not be a great backup singer, but he’s a great governor, and I really encourage people to get out and vote for him in this election.”
The video is part of the Twitter and Instagram initiative that encourages Coloradans to tweet their thoughts and images with the hashtage #whyIlovecolorado. Hickenlooper’s campaign said it was an example of how he would continue to run a positive campaign. The music video doesn’t reference election or Hickenlooper’s opponent, Bob Beauprez.
