Nashua – John Edwards could use a few more roadies.

“We’ve been together all day and one thing we’ve learned, it takes a long time to set a band up and take a band down,” said Edwards by way of apology for the delayed start to last night’s event at Daniel Webster College, featuring recording artists Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne.

The traveling show had stops in Lebanon and Keene before finally landing at the college. Raitt and Browne took the stage about an hour after the scheduled 7:45 p.m. start.

Technical difficulties may be the price candidates are paying for scheduling back-to-back stops with celebrities in tow, as they work overtime to gain supporters, and in this case, literally rock the vote in time for the upcoming primary.

Bonnie Raitt performs at Daniel Webster College in Nashua last night. (DAVID LANE)

No one in the standing room only auditorium seemed to mind waiting for the music or the populist mantra that has kept Edwards among the top three Democratic candidates.Raitt and Browne, longtime activists, said they support Edwards because of his stance on matters of national and global proportions.

“We get out when we can to support progressive issues,” Raitt said. “We’re here because we think this is the man who can unite all the different sides.”

They kicked off the four-song set with a powerful rendition of “World In Motion,” a song that describes a world of haves and have nots — no coincidence that the song perfectly framed Edwards’ passionate 15-minute speech that followed, rallying the crowd to stand up and take back America from corporate greed.

“We’re going to start a tidal wave that’s going to move across America,” Edwards said, as he stirred the crowd to applause and cheers several times throughout his comments.

Dressed in jeans, an open-collared shirt and a navy zip-up fleece, the candidate spoke about how his childhood was shaped by his family’s strong work ethic and his grandfather’s charge to never walk away from a fight.

He fielded questions for another 15 minutes following his speech, touching on the war in Iraq, his plan to reduce carbon emissions and his intention to bring America back to a place where jobs and health care and dignity are a given, not a privilege.

Among those who came out to see Edwards were Mike and Laura Morrison of Merrimack, who arrived as undecided registered Democrats.

This election cycle has given them too many choices.

“I’m waiting for a leader to emerge, said Mike Morrison.

“I’m triangulating,” said his wife. “I guess I’m trying to figure out which candidate can beat the Republican."

She said Edwards’ message of empowerment for the working person has started sinking in.

“His message has been getting to me,” she said. “Especially with so many people in dire straits right now.” Afterwards, they agreed that they were still undecided, but moved — and a little closer to making a choice.

Joel Macauslan of Nashua leaned forward in his seat several times during Edwards’ speech, taking in every word.

“I actually got a shiver out of that,” he said joining in a standing ovation as the night wound down at 9:30 p.m.

Tom Sawyer of Milford, a ninth grade social studies teacher at Souhegan High School in Amherst, showed up because someone left an invitation at his door. He said he didn’t even realize that Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne were on tap for the event — but it was an added perk.

“Right now I don’t think I’m going to vote for him, but I could be swayed,” said Sawyer, a registered Independent.

He said the event gave him plenty of material to take back to his students, who are studying the presidential race and taking a critical look at everything from platforms to advertising to the parade of celebrities marching through New Hampshire.

Last night’s parade was not wasted on Wayne Flewelling and Holly Sambito of Nashua.

“This is the 35th time I’ve seen her,” Flewelling said. “Bonnie Raitt is the only reason I came, but I have to say that yes, I’m going to vote for Edwards now. If Bonnie Raitt likes him, that’s good enough for me.”

Edwards is scheduled to continue the tour today with stops in Portsmouth and Manchester.