Singer/songwriter Aimee Mann and Canadian rock act Barenaked Ladies will perform on the next episode of the NBC drama “The West Wing.” Part of Wednesday night’s (Oct. 2) installment of the series will center around a Rock the Vote event where the two acts are performing on behalf of the organization.
Dubbed “College Kids,” the episode will recreate Rock the Vote’s annual Patrick Lippert Awards, which are dedicated to entertainers and activists who work to inspire and educate youth. The show’s fictional White House press secretary C.J. Craig, played by actress Allison Janney, will speak at the fundraising event.
“Rock the Vote was a great partner and we hope this is just the beginning of any number of things we can do together,” said the show’s creator/executive producer Aaron Sorkin in a statement.
“Our mission to connect with youth and engage them in the political process will surely be helped by such prominent placement in America’s hottest and smartest political drama,” executive director of Rock the Vote Jehmu Greene added. “We are honored to have the opportunity to work with a group of professionals who are as passionate about politics as they are about putting out quality programming that educates while it entertains.”
Cast members of show will be on hand at the home of producer Lawrence Bender, who will host a Rock the Vote fundraising screening of the episode. The celebrity-stacked gathering will raise an estimated $100,000 for the organization’s voter registration efforts. For more information, visit the Rock the Vote Web site.
For Mann, the show comes in the wake of her latest album, “Lost in Space” (SuperEgo). Released in late August, the album debuted on top of Billboard’s Top Independent Albums and Top Internet Album Sales charts, and No. 35 on The Billboard 200. Barenaked Ladies are coming off a summer of touring in support of their 2001 Reprise set “Maroon,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Internet tally, No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Canadian Albums chart, and No. 5 on The Billboard 200.
