They have always been "manufactured". Sony said they spent more on promoting to chicks than any other artist in the labels history. They poured millions into the chicks. The chicks have had the best career money could buy and dont think for a second their success wasnt bought. If I am not mistaken, charges were brought against Sony for paying off stations to play thier artists songs and manufacture the #1 for them.
They remind me of that group, the two guys that lip synched their songs, milli vanilli or something like that.
I think this is why their peers don't take them seriously.
Have they ever been invited to play at the Grand Ole Oprey?