Staunch Moderates on Spoken Work Project “Frank and The Rat Pack” [Spoken Word]
While musicians often strive to inspire personal change through their gripping sound and poetry, few artists are more dedicated to bridging the political divide than Staunch Moderates, known musically as DJ Staunch & The Bigfoots. This grassroots intellectual movement out of Aspen, CO, founded by longtime friends Greg Simmons and Bo Persiko, advocates for peaceful civil discourse, encouraging open and impartial conversations about today’s most critical issues. Gaining momentum in the 2020 election, the movement offers those daunted by the contemporary political landscape a moderate political philosophy that works for compromise. Passionate about the unifying power of art, they address pervasive issues through music, film, events, and more. Musically, what makes these artists so thrilling is their flexibility and genre-defying sound. Fearless with experimentation, they infuse elements of funk, jazz, Hip Hop, spoken word, and more into their tracks—crafting a unique soul-stirring and brain-stimulating indie sound that is always fresh—as they tirelessly make the climb towards national and world peace.
Ever-flexible and creatively inventive, DJ Staunch & The Bigfoots releases a track out of left field in the best way—given their foundations and mission in the political sphere—temporarily stepping away from advocating for shared societal goals to pay homage to the “Chairman of the Board” Frank Sinatra and the legendary Rat Pack. Featuring GTS and Casanova Ace, the song is backed by a modern, jazzy piano melody and bouncing beat, setting the stage for a spoken-word recount of the group’s history layered with flattery. Delving into the impacts and talents of Sinatra and similarly iconic fellow Rat Packers Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, and more, the song is beyond fun—a lighthearted treat for the ears whether one is a music history buff, Sinatra fan, or simply an enjoyer of well-crafted tunes.
The accompanying visuals are a blast from the past, providing retro-inspired aesthetics that perfectly complement the song’s buoyant feel. It’s chock-full of sharp suits, vintage vibes, and smooth choreography, engaging viewers in an infectiously jazzy atmosphere. New Jerseyans will be especially pleased, as Sinatra’s Hoboken nativity is mentioned not once but twice! The music video will transport viewers to the Rat Pack’s heyday—highlighting the artists who helped define Las Vegas nightlife of the 50s and 60s. Coolly sophisticated and incredibly amusing, the video reflects The Rat Pack’s effortless blend of music, comedy, and charm—offering viewers an engaging, fun experience celebrating some of the greatest musicians ever.
What motivates you to make music in a spoken-word style?
I use rap promos and jingles to help market on TV shows. We’ve been trying to get off the ground from 2002 through 2019. From that experience and the one of creating the Staunch Moderates Intellectual Movement, we decided to make a hip-hop album about it to tell our story in 2021, “The First Realm, our first album.
Do you admire Frank Sinatra and the other artists mentioned in the song? How do they influence your artistry?
Yes, I admire Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack for their achievements in music and film controlling pop culture in the U.S. from the mid-1930s through the 1960s. They were something!
What mood or vibe are you hoping to evoke with this song?
The mood or vibe we hope to evoke is that of: 1) “Oh, I’ve heard of Frank & the Rat Pack before, but here I can learn a summary of their story in a 3-minute rap song,” 2)” These guys were happening, and this song rocks. Let’s dance!”
How is this release different from others you have made in the past? In what ways does this song showcase your evolution as an artist?
In early July 2024, we recorded this and our other big 2024 track, “Mediterranee” in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, the hit-making capital of the world at Craig Alvin’s Noble Steed Studio. It was so much fun jamming out with Craig & recording in his super cool studio! Otherwise, we always love and care for all our tracks equally or almost equally all with the intent of creating a special Staunch Moderates Experience, a concept live album and story like no other, for our audience,.
What was the most rewarding part of bringing this story to life? Did you face any unexpected challenges or surprises along the way?
Most rewarding was the whole process: 1) writing it with Casanova Ace & seeing our story come together from my start, with his poetry & my direction through the rest, 2) picking a fitting beat (we feel we got a home run here!), 3) The fantasy: see & hear how Casanova knew Frank, by performing a singing telegram at Frank’s restaurant, Mateos, LA: https://www.youtube.com/
I’d say our biggest challenge was Cas overcoming his throat cancer and treatments. We produced this with Cas being a fraction of his former pre-sickness self. You saw how big he was in the YouTube clip above. He went from about 350 pounds to 190, and his vocals were damaged from the Kimo to his head and throat section. It made him sound like he had been drinking lean, something popular in the industry but something that Cas did not partake in. Cleanliness is a highly held value for Cas.
What is your favorite visual element of the “Frank and the Rat Pack” music video?
It depends on which one, our original or our AI version: Original: 1) DJ Staunch jamming on the piano on the Continental Divide to open, 2) Staunch getting out of the limo on the red carpet & 3) the retro turntable to close. AI version: First, let me tell you why we made both traditional & AI. The answer is the era we live in; you’ve got to make an AI version, especially because it’s for Frank & the Rat Pack! We use our traditional as our source imagery for the AI version. From having just looked at them both, I like the AI version, because the Music Video feels richer.
What’s been the response to “Frank and the Rat Pack” so far from your fans and listeners? How do you hope to inspire fans?
The first response from our fans is the Recording Academy put it on the ballot for the 2025 GRAMMYs for Song of the Year and for Best Rap Song. Secondly, YouTube put “Frank and the Rat Pack” on twelve of their playlists, including The Best Song Ever Made in The World – Top 1000 Songs of All Time.
We hope to inspire our fans through this Frank & the Rat Pack track being part of U.S music history and the Staunch Moderates Experience: movie, live concert series, higher and lower education required courses, and Broadway or Sphere Las Vegas Plays and/or concert, acceptance and practice of this fad, soon to become phenomenon for every one of us to take on the Divide, practicing good citizenry, and to strive for nation and world peace in doing so. It’s not only logical. It’s the cool, hip thing to do. Come on, people, we can do this thing!
What can fans look forward to from Staunch Moderates next? Are you working on any current projects?
Funny enough, I think I just answered this question above. The Staunch Moderates Experience: Movie, live concerts, higher and lower education required courses and Broadway or Sphere Las Vegas Plays and/or concerts, acceptance and practice of this fad, soon to become a phenomenon for every one of us to take on the Divide, practicing good philosophy and citizenry, and to strive for nation and world peace in doing so.
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About the Author
Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.
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