HA ha...
and the DitzyHicks take another one in the...
Posted on 05/20/2006 11:44:36 AM PDT by West Coast Conservative
Disappointing airplay for the first two singles from the new album by the Dixie Chicks exposes a deep -- and seemingly growing -- rift between the trio and the country radio market that helped turn the group into superstars.
"Taking the Long Way," due out May 23, is the band's first album since singer Natalie Maines sparked a major controversy in 2003 by declaring that she was ashamed to hail from the same state as fellow Texan President George W. Bush. Radio boycotts ensued, and many fans abandoned the band.
The first single, "Not Ready to Make Nice," peaked at No. 36 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, beginning its descent after just seven weeks. The second single, "Everybody Knows," is now at No. 50, down two places in its fourth week.
"Not Ready to Make Nice" performed only slightly better at adult contemporary radio, peaking at No. 32 on the AC chart and falling off after six weeks.
From the beginning of the album rollout, the Dixie Chicks were eager that their songs be worked to radio formats beyond country. The album was produced by rock veteran Rick Rubin, whose credits include the Red Hot Chili Peppers, System of a Down and Johnny Cash.
By picking the defiant "Not Ready" as the first single, they've reopened a wound that was particularly deep for country radio fans, and left many country programmers with the burning question: Why on earth would the band choose to do this?
After hearing the album, WKIS Miami program director Bob Barnett says he was "excited about the opportunity to introduce some great Chicks music to the listeners." But the group's decision to come with "Not Ready" as the lead single left him "stunned, especially in light of the fact that, when asked, programmers and consultants that listened to the project were virtually unanimous in saying we should put the politics behind us and concentrate on all this other great music we were hearing."
KUBL/KKAT Salt Lake City PD Ed Hill criticizes the song's "self-indulgent and selfish lyrics."
Barnett played the song for a week, but pulled it after listeners called to say it sounded like the Chicks were "gloating" or "rubbing our noses in it," he reports. "We didn't need to pick at the scab any longer."
He and other country programmers were upset that the group chose to launch its new album with a single that rehashed all the angst of three years ago.
The two singles have had a striking lack of impact at radio, considering the band's history. Between 1997 and 2003, it notched 14 top 10 country singles, including six No. 1 hits. In addition to eight Grammy Awards, the group has won 10 Country Music Assn. Awards and eight Academy of Country Music Awards. The trio has sold 23.4 million albums in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
The Dixie Chicks and reps from their label, Columbia Records, declined to participate in this story. But -- at least as far as Maines is concerned -- the drop-off at country radio was part of its plan.
Maines was quoted in late January on entertainmentweekly.com, before the single went to country radio, saying: "For me to be in country music to begin with was not who I was ... I would be cheating myself ... to go back to something that I don't wholeheartedly believe in. So I'm pretty much done. They've shown their true colors. I like lots of country music, but as far as the industry and everything that happened ... I couldn't want to be farther away from that."
Maines also said, "I don't want people to think that me not wanting to be part of country music is any sort of revenge. It is not. It is totally me being who I am, and not wanting to compromise myself and hate my life."
At KNCI Sacramento, Calif., the Chicks' music weathered the 2003 controversy only to be pulled as a result of Maines' new Entertainment Weekly comments, coupled with poor scores in local music tests.
"When an artist says that they don't want to be a part of that industry, it made our decision a no-brainer," program director Mark Evans says. "There are too many talented new artists dying to have a song played on country radio, so I'd rather give one of them a shot."
If they show nothing but contempt for their consumers it seems "dumb as a liberal" foolish to expect high sales.
"I wonder what the two sisters really think."
Ive often wondered that too...were they getting to enjoy free speech too or were they sort of stuck with stupid?
I think I will go out and buy a few Toby Keith albums this week...
It'd have to be a telephone pole.
They stood by Natalie..and let's face it...they were going nowhere until Natalie came along. So what else could they do? I suspect they never thought it would get so out of control..literally, ruining their careers.
I agree. But my point is before that there was something about them that seemed a little off.
But after the "incident" it's like they never even existed
Well that sort of happens with institutionalized censorship doesn't it now? No offense but with a few companies owning all the stations (which I have no problem with) when corporate sends a directive to no longer play their music, of course you're not going to hear them anywhere.
Country music world was more than happy to get rid of them. They pissed alot of people off. I do believe the country music world is a big family and they were known to insult other performers, and that's a no no
That's my point, they were pissing off other performers before their statement in the UK
It is a shame, because that Natalie girl has a great voice...wasted.
I'm a Gretchen Wilson sort of guy. She's a lot easier on the eyes and her voice is just sexy. I liked the Dixie Chicks for what they were but I never considered them much more than a country Backstreet Boys
Im suprised they have been so supportive of her after how inconsiderate she was of THEIR careers.
It seems rare that 3 grown women would agree on anything.
They were more than that before they fired the founders and brought in Natalie. Can't argue with the decision on an economic level, because they clearly made more money with the new configuration. But, as you say, they became the country Backstreet Boys instead of the hot Texas blueswing band they were before. That was back when they were playing Republican fundraisers.
Well, I disagree with you about their talent...but now it's just wasted talent. Ironically, you say their success was based on their looks and I say the reason they'll never make it in pop is because they don't have the looks. They're too old and Maines is too fat.
To compare herself in any way with Buddy Holly indicates an inflated sense of importance and or talent; neither of which is justified in any way.
I hear that Tim and Faith are big Clinton fans and that Tim is thinkin' of running for office one day. lol.
"First of all...none of them are great looking..."
I agree, Natalie is chubby and her look is common among any trailer park, the blonde has an abnormally long head imo, and the brunette..well she is the best looking one.
But none of them are knockouts.
Neither Am I extremely handsome, just saying.
... and tell Pavarotti the news!
"Yeah, and taking a slap at Buddy Holly on their new CD ain't helping any. Buddy's brothers are furious, and, so are his fans!"
WHAT ??? !!!!!
Are you kidding me???
Dissing Buddy Holly is like chewing gum in church!
I pray for their speedy collapse into bankruptcy. A-Hey Hey.
Now, now, you know I mean COUNTRY music which is beginning to all sound the same.
LOL! Ditzy Chinks and pug ugly Friedman. What a bunch of kooks!
when corporate sends a directive to no longer play their music, of course you're not going to hear them anywhere.
I don't remember a directive being sent out, what I recall is thousands of listeners calling in and demanding that their songs not be played.
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