Left-right: Billy Dean, Marty Raybon, Marty Curtis and Ricky Skaggs

Ricky Skaggs, Randy Travis and Billy Dean are behind Your Country Your Vote, which says fans should vote, no matter which party they support.

"It's time to speak for America and not just one party," said Skaggs, who got five Grammy nominations this year.

"To me, this is the most important election in our nation's history."

Although Skaggs has not hidden his personal support for President Bush, he said: "It doesn't matter whether you're a Republican, a Democrat or an independent - your opinion counts."

The musicians, who all worked on the recent America Will Always Stand album, will make public service announcements on television and at concerts.

We're certainly not going to let Hollywood choose who we vote for Ricky Skaggs

Darryl Worley, Josh Turner and Marty Raybon are also involved.

They say they came up with the idea on 4 July and have set up a website to help fans register to vote.

Skaggs said artists like Bruce Springsteen and the Dixie Chicks would have little effect in their attempts to oust Bush.

"The American people, they're not going to let Bruce Springsteen or anybody else - or Ricky Skaggs or Marty Raybon or Billy Dean choose who they vote for," he said.

"And we're certainly not going to let Hollywood choose who we vote for because I don't think they really have a pulse on America.