Their quirky approach – combining outlandish costumes with pointed lyrics – finally got them noticed, and sometimes even pepper-sprayed.
Today, their approach remains unchanged. As one Madison Raging Granny song declares: “As we get OLDER, we’re growing bolder.”
The Piedmont Grannies embody this spirit, turning their town hall performance into a viral moment that spread far beyond the event itself.
What makes the Raging Grannies’ protest form so effective is their deliberate subversion of expectations.
“We see our work as the spreading green branches of a great tree, rising up to provide shelter and nourishment for those who will come after us,” says Granny Marcia from Rochester, New York.
Their performances come with unique requirements: outlandish costumes, ridiculous hats, and notably, “no singing ability.” The Piedmont Grannies’ performance for Senator Tillis checked all these boxes, with their shaky voices carrying more authenticity and emotional impact than professional singers ever could.
“Oh, Tillis, please just do your job,” they sang, their collective voice growing stronger with each chorus. The crowd joined in, transforming from passive observers to active participants in this musical act of political accountability.
The genius of the Raging Grannies lies in how they make political dissent accessible.
“It’s how we PROtest for peace and justice, so we SING it loud and sing it strong,” reads one of their all-purpose protest songs.
“We try to make our words really meaningful and biting… so you get up there and give people a poke in the ribs, kick in the pants, and get the message across,” explained Betty Peterson, a Halifax Raging Granny who remained active until her death at age 100.
The Piedmont Grannies’ performance embodied this philosophy perfectly. Their direct question to Senator Tillis – “Are you hiding at home, you chicken?” – became a rallying cry, repeated across social media and echoed at subsequent protests.
The Raging Grannies represent one of America’s most distinctive forms of musical protest, joining a tradition that includes labor songs of the early 20th century, civil rights anthems of the 1960s, and contemporary political hip-hop. What makes their approach unique is how they leverage their age and perceived harmlessness to deliver cutting political criticism. When the Piedmont Grannies repeatedly asked Senator Tillis, “Will you stand up to tyranny?” they were using their moral authority as elders to demand political courage.
“Get off your FANNIES and join the Grannies, and SING out your protest loud and strong!” concludes one of their signature songs. This invitation to participation transforms their performances from entertainment into community organizing.
The Piedmont Raging Grannies’ musical protest against Senator Tillis demonstrates how creativity and humor can amplify political messages that might otherwise go unheard. Their performance of “Oh Tillis Do Your Job” – with its direct challenge, “You work for us. That’s how it works” – exemplifies how musical protest can distill complex political concerns into memorable, shareable moments.