Political parties sending messages with their music.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

Byline: Tonya Jameson

During the Republican National Convention this week, well-rehearsed speakers will deliver the party's message of building a safer world and a more hopeful America, but to me, the music will underscore the party's true intentions.

Unlike the Democrats, whose convention music revealed an optimistic party reaching out to new voters, the Republicans' entertainment lineup this week indicates the party's desire to appeal to core constituents: the Christian Right, conservative South and war supporters.

Susan Roberts, an associate professor of political science at Davidson College in Davidson, N.C., isn't surprised.

"Every single moment is choreographed," she said. "Everything has a message."

The Republicans' most notable musical acts include Christian singer Michael W. Smith and gospel singer Donnie McClurkin, the NYPD's singing cop Daniel Rodriguez (famous for his rendition of the national anthem after Sept. 11) and country singer Darryl Worley (who sang the Sept. 11th-inspired "Have You Forgotten?"), rockers Brooks & Dunn and "Urban Cowboy"-era country vets the Gatlin Brothers, all of whom appeal to fervent ultraconservative supporters, but don't entice moderate fence-sitters.

Southern rockers such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top and 38 Special will perform at convention parties.