University of Virginia Library

Making Money Off The Murders

there is none. And certainly his
producers have given him an
opportunity to do so.

If there is anything more limited
in this album than the skill of the
producers, as witnessed in the
lyrics, and Nelson's ability to make
music, it is the ability of the entire
crew to write music. Rather than
waste good talent or spend the
money to hire someone who could
write music, it seems as if they
altered the speed of the original
recording eleven different ways,
introducing some quacks called "C"
Company on some songs to help
sing, and changed the words. And
that equals a record?

Obviously, "Wake Up America"
is a feeble attempt to counteract
the influence of popular anti-war
pro-youth songs; it is also an
attempt to strike back at an
emerging style of life that these
producers can't and don't even try
to understand. That they use the
glorification of war to attack our
generation's desire for peace and
love, and lump all of us together as
long-haired "permissives" is further
indication of the widespread
paranoia and misunderstanding of
not only this group of men but also
of a strong segment of the
American population.

I hope and believe that the
producers of "Wake Up America"
have gone too far, for how can any
reasonable human honor a
murderer? And from the premise
that they can't, how can they
honor such a recording with such
sick political overtones?

And lastly, what will happen to
Terry Nelson once people no longer
think it a proper show of patriotism
to run around waving the American
flag on the anniversary of My Lai?
His musical future, much like that
of playing the role of Superman, is
not easily changed; and once the
crest of his infamy breaks, he will
be back plowing the dirt from
whence he came. Created for a
specific purpose, once that purpose
no longer exists, Mr. Nelson will be
left with only memories, while his
directors will have been made
wealthy.

Is this the American Way?