The “Vote For Change” tour is a national tour that attempts to spread voter awareness through music.

Two days after the tour hits Ames, a localized concert entitled “We Want our Country Back” will reflect the same spirit.

“We look at this as Iowa’s homegrown version of the ‘Vote For Change’ tour,” says John Friedrich, campaign manager for Democratic congressional candidate Paul Johnson.

“We Want Our Country Back” is a show comprised of three separate singer/songwriters to support Johnson.

Although the comparison is made between this show and the national movement, Friedrich emphasizes the importance of the concert in Iowa.

“This is the only concert produced by and for Iowans; this is the only event of its kind in the state for an Iowa Congressional candidate,” he says.

David Zollo, performer and songwriter for Trailer Records will be one of those showcased, Friedrich says

“We Want Our Country Back” is hard to compare to “Vote For Change.”

“It’s a much smaller thing,” Zollo says. “‘Vote For Change’ is organized and national. We are just doing one night.”

The idea for the benefit show was pitched to Friedrich by Grammy nominee Greg Brown. Brown then called on himself, his wife, Iris DeMent, and Zollo to bring their “Americana” style to the stage in support of the 4th Congressional District’s Democratic candidate.

“Greg does a number of benefits for a number of causes,” Zollo says. “Greg and Iris are both very generous with their time.”

Friedrich says he is happy Brown decided to be a part of their cause.

“We are definitely grateful for artists’ support of Paul Johnson’s campaign,” Friedrich says. “[They] all have very strong fan bases. There are a lot of people that will meet Paul Johnson for the first time through this concert.”

Friedrich also says he feels the campaign’s goals can be achieved through the concert.

“We want to raise awareness about Paul Johnson, why he’s running and what he stands for,” Friedrich says.

Zollo’s goals for the show are a bit loftier, wanting to get everyone involved on a national level. He commends all that is being done.

“I feel like the political climate is such that it’s important for people to get involved. People need to exercise their right to vote. I hope that all these things that people are doing in the country — not just Democrats, but Republicans, both the left and the right — will encourage Americans to get beyond our dismal 50 percent turnout rate for the presidential election. I think that’s the great thing that is happening. I hope this means we will have a heavy voter turnout, and I support both sides [working to increase voter turnout] as long as it’s fair and honest.”