Free Republic

WASHINGTON - Think of the Dixie Chicks and you should be reminded of their extraordinary musical talent and best-selling CDs. Instead, thanks to “Shut Up & Sing” — a new documentary about the group’s foray into politics — the Chicks will likely be famous for flying their self-proclaimed victim banner once again. The documentary accurately and intimately portrays the Chicks’ tumultuous battle with angry Americans since lead singer Natalie Maines proclaimed from a London stage that she was ashamed that President George W. Bush hailed from her home state of Texas. The conservative blog Free Republic first focused attention —...

TORONTO (CP) - Tell these feisty chicks to "shut up and sing" and they'll make a movie. The Dixie Chicks have rebounded from death threats, stinging political attacks and radio station battles with "Shut Up and Sing," a moving documentary that debuted this week at the Toronto International Film Festival. It was three years ago that front woman Natalie Maines told a London audience that the Texas band was embarrassed U.S. President George W. Bush was from their home state. Since then, the trio has weathered a firestorm of controversy to create a new album, discover new fans, have a...

Natalie Maines, the Dixie Chicks' lead singer, is pictured in a full-page ad on behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union in the June 14 issue of The New Yorker.