Mike Huckabee's Evangelist Pal: Circulates Pledge To Ban Music With 'Rock Beat'

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Apparently, evangelist Bill Gothard would be ecstatic if the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland shut its doors. The Mike Huckabee supporter has been circulating a pledge that calls for religious music to replace all rock for all time. Besides asking people to take the pledge, Gothard reportedly has written that rock is "unclean" and "satanic." Does that make Cleveland the new Gomorrah on the Great Lake? Should Graceland -- the home of Elvis --switch its name to Gomorrahland?

Cincinnati rock musician Justin Jeffre is a bandmate of Nick Lachey, and credit Jeffre with discovering the anti-rock pledge: "Almighty Father, based on the authority of your Word and the testimony of others, I now propose to remove from my life any music that contains a 'ROCK BEAT'; and replace it with melodious music that glorifies You and edifies others."

Jeffre is building himself a reputation outside the music world as a political activist. He's run for office in Cincinnati as an independent and on the Green Party ticket. So far, no success. He may be on the verge of scoring a political splash by pointing out that Huckabee -- an ordained Baptist minister who plays bass in a rock band -- seems to consort with those who feel the music itself is perditious. Jeffre sent evangelist Gothard a "confession" last week about his activities with Lachey in their rock band called 98-degrees.

"I thought our group was just having a great time making our fans happy with fun music. If only we'd known how dangerous the 'ROCK BEAT' is . . ."

He also wanted to bring Gothard up to date on his pal, Huckabee.

"Anyway, steady yourself Dr. G, because I'm about to reveal some even shocking information about Gov. Huckabee. He recently told a New York Times reporter he wants The Rolling Stones to play his inaugural. Get thee behind me, Mick!"

Jason Haap at the Cincinnati Beacon has posted the complete text of Jeffre's letter to the man he considers the rock music-hating evangelist. It is full of links about the whole devil's music issue.

Ohio NAACP Ruckus: Singer Justin Jeffre Jostled In Cincinnati

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The Cincinnati NAACP branch has been percolating with dissent since last year's disputed election for the chapter presidency, and today there are reports police were called to smooth emotions during a chaotic meeting. Singer Nick Lachey's former boyband-mate Justin Jeffre got caught up in some ugliness while attending as a new NAACP member.

Jeffre is working to build a political career after his stint in the band 98 Degrees brought a modicum of fame. His unsuccessful run for Cincinnati mayor in 2005 was followed by the national media, including MTV.

Meanwhile, will discord at the Cincinnati branch end up discouraging the national NAACP from holding its 2008 convention in Cincinnati? Up to 5,000 delegates are expected next year. The economic impact should be huge -- 11,575 hotel room nights will be booked. And the gathering of a national civil rights group in an Ohio city with a rocky history of race relations could add some luster to Cincinnati's tarnished reputation.

Jeffre recently filed a blog post about what he witnessed last night at the local NAACP meeting. He characterized the event as plagued with assault and chaos.