Dixie Chicks feel backlash at CMT show

The Atlanta Journal Constitution ^ | 4/8/03 | Craig Seymour

[Gothmog]

Sometimes forgiveness is hard to come by, as the Dixie Chicks learned Monday night during CMT's annual Flameworthy Video Music Awards.

The trio, currently experiencing a heated backlash for criticizing President Bush during a London concert, didn't attend the event, which is like country's MTV Awards. But at least one presenter tried to put in a good word for them.

"We're in the South, a place of sin and redemption and hopefully forgiveness," said comedian Brett Butler. "So maybe in a couple of weeks, we'll just all try to forgive the Dixie Chicks."

Her words were met with a wall of boos.

Not only that, but the Chicks, one of country's all-time top-selling acts, failed to win any of the four awards for which they were nominated. This is especially significant since the Flameworthies are voted on by fans on CMT's Web site. (Voting closed April 5.) The group/duo category served as an especially biting example of anti-Chicks sentiment.

Though the Chicks' latest album, "Home," has sold more than 3 million copies, the group was beaten by country boy band Rascal Flatts, which has moved less than 500,000 units of its current set, "Melt."

The debate over the Chicks' comments is just one example of how country has emerged as the genre most immediately impacted by the war in Iraq. The current No.1 country song is Darryl Worley's pro-war ballad, "Have You Forgotten," which he performed to a standing ovation during the show. The tune plays like a Bush administration policy paper in linking 9/11 with the situation in Iraq. "And you say we shouldn't worry about bin Laden/Have you forgotten," Worley sang to the cheering crowd.

Others seemed to deliberately avoid commenting on the war. Sheryl Crow, who has worn anti-war clothing and accessories at other award shows this year, simply donned a black Johnny Cash T-shirt when performing "Picture," her hit duet with Kid Rock.

Predictably, the most outspoken artist on the war was firebrand Toby Keith, who co-hosted the program with the seemingly inflatable Pamela Anderson. Early in the evening, he struck a subdued, conciliatory note: "Whether you're for it or against it, let's support the guys and girls who are over there."

But by the end of the night he was performing a medley of Merle Haggard's "Fightin' Side of Me" with his own chest-thumping 9/11 anthem, "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)," amid blazing pyrotechnic blasts and showers of confetti.

When "Courtesy" won best video, Keith said, "I'd like to dedicate this great award to Mr. Rumsfeld [Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld] and [General] Tommy Franks and all the people putting it down for us over there. . . . God bless the USA, baby."

[Gothmog]

Ha ha ha.

[Sam Cree]

" "So maybe in a couple of weeks, we'll just all try to forgive the Dixie Chicks."

Yeah, but aren't the chx going around referring to their fans as "radical right wingers?"

[sauropod]

"The tune plays like a Bush administration policy paper in linking 9/11 with the situation in Iraq. "And you say we shouldn't worry about bin Laden/Have you forgotten," Worley sang to the cheering crowd."

Sniff. Sniff. The AJC simply can't stand it, can they?

[demosthenes the elder]

good.
if TDC desire forgiveness, they should repent and do pennance first... to earn it.

[Guna]

HA ha ha, and Cluck, cluck cluck for the Dixie Chickens!

[fightinJAG]

"a wall of boos"

HAH AHAHAHAHA

[stevio]

It's funny, I've been listening more to both Country and Western music lately.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Butler is a longtime liberal and Clintoon-Goreon supporter. I'm not surprised by her comments.

[BibChr]

*Ha ha ha.*

Well, I think you just about said it all!

The article still manages to carry this tone of wounded, superior dismay, doesn't it? The writer is so put off that this significant portion of the public should be so offended at AMERICANS spitting on the President in wartime, in a foreign country; and that they should rally for the troops AND their commander AND their country.

The just-don't-get-it phenomenon spreads a broad net.

Dan

[Izzy Dunne]

the seemingly inflatable Pamela Anderson

Line of the day.

[N. Theknow]

The article still manages to carry this tone of wounded, superior dismay, doesn't it? The writer is so put off that this significant portion of the public should be so offended at AMERICANS spitting on the President in wartime, in a foreign country; and that they should rally for the troops AND their commander AND their country.

Ditzy Twits do it overseas, John Kerry does it at home.

[sarasota]

I'm guessing there are still out of the country so they had an excuse to not show up. What a display of support for the war effort this show brought to television. Right on.

[GraniteStateConservative]

We have liberals in the genre, too (like Pam Tillis, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kathy Mattea, John Michael Montgomery, Ricky Van Shelton and Marty Stuart). Curiously, JMM had a hit about a girl who was put in a Christian foster home and lived happily ever after. That song would have been booed loudly at the Democrap Convention.

[Under the Radar]

Could someone explain to me why Sheryl Crow was performing at the CMA? Isn't she a pop artist?

[submarinerswife]

Brett Butler was a druggie-obvious that she still has the habit.
And.....hahaha.
Glad that Toby Keith won. Natalie Maines slammed him awhile back for his "Red, White and Blue". She has always had a big mouth.

[Under the Radar]

Let's try this again: Could someone explain to me why Sheryl Crow was performing at the CMT Awards? Isn't she a pop artist?

[submarinerswife]

"Could someone explain to me why Sheryl Crow was performing at the CMA? Isn't she a pop artist?"

She has a duo out with KidRock who is semi country.

[capt. norm]

Brett Butler is more liberal than Carville, Joe Conason, Robert Scheer and Eleanor Rodham Clift.

[Timesink]

"We're in the South, a place of sin and redemption and hopefully forgiveness," said comedian Brett Butler. "So maybe in a couple of weeks, we'll just all try to forgive the Dixie Chicks."

Brett Butler, who is ONE HUNDRED PERCENT HOLLYWOOD. Twenty bucks says she's a personal friend who was asked by one of the Saddam Sluts to float a question like this at the CMTs to gauge reaction.

Well girls, you got your reaction. You're dead. Enjoy!

[sarasota]

She's hooked up with country. Has performed with Willie Nelson and Kid Rock (?!) I'm thinking that's how Pamela got in on the picture--her relationship with Kid. And Kid's relationship/song with Cheryl. Yeah, and where is that $18,000 diamond encrusted Peace bracelet she wore to the Grammy's?? Maybe even she is feeling some heat--finally.