Bans on CDs and concert ads put a hit on Dixie Chicks tix

Los Angeles Times - The Discontinent Parakeet's Delight! ^ | June 12, 2006 | Geoff Boucher and Randy Lewis

[Caipirabob]

The Dixie Chicks and their camp will continue their struggle this week to figure out where their own Mason-Dixon Line lies on a map of America's arenas. The reason is that ticket sales for their upcoming road run, the Accidents & Accusations Tour, have not as gone as they expected; basically, in many Southern states and Midwest markets, the Chicks have not been forgiven for perceived political sins of the past. Concert industry watchers say some radio station chiefs are extending their boycott of the group's recordings to include advertising bans for the group's concerts.

"Obviously there are political overtones to this," says Gary Bongiovanni, editor of Pollstar, the concert industry trade publication. "It personally bothers me when I hear that two country stations in Atlanta have refused to accept advertising for the show at Philips Arena, which at this point is not selling well. These shows are in September, so I think it's a little early to be panicking."

[Caipirabob]

Translation: PANIC!!!!

OK, the skankie chicks are already loaded, so it doesn't matter, but without concert receipts, this album could go way in the red. So do your part when the chicks come to town. Rent a DVD, hit the bars, take your wife out to a nice meal. Let Natalie dine on moon-pies, not caviar.

[freeangel]

"Political overtones"(by the stations are bothering the dude from pollstar? He doesn't get that the idiot chix threw the first stone on this "tour". Not ready to make nice, huh?

[dirtbiker]

"But when country radio is not playing their music, boycotting their records and not accepting advertising for their shows, that sets up certain obstacles."

Not the least of which is Natalie Maines' chronic "Foot-in-mouth" disease....

The Ditzy Twits need to learn who their audience is, and how to play to that audience. Right now, that audience isn't Country Music fans....

[Chi-townChief]

I think these Chicks are screwed in the long run; the album sales are a "protest vote" against the president but once he's gone in '09, the Chicks pretty much have nothing going for them except bad memories.

[John W]

"...the Chicks have not been forgiven for perceived political sins of the past."

How about sins of the past couple weeks, Geoff and Randy?

[LeoWindhorse]

these women are an insult to the noble name of Dixie.
they should be shunned entirely , no concert attendance
no CD sales . let them fade away

[Jackknife]

Yep. I listen to both of these Atlanta stations, and the general feeling among country music fans here hasn't changed about the Ditsy Twits......we don't want to hear them.

[Freedom4US]

I never did like them, too polished, slick and cloying. Once they started spouted *politics*, it was all over - change station if they get played.

[Joe Boucher]

My perogative where I spend MY money.
I refuse to give the chicks a half penny.

And honest Natilie ain't starvin, hell she is catching up with Linda Rhondstadt in the eating department.

[Question Liberal Authority]

Is it even remotely possible the music sucks?

Getting airplay has never been less important in the history of the music industry.

[Renderofveils]

Is it even remotely possible the music sucks?

Since when is quality of music a defining factor in radio play?

[American in Singapore]

I saw them for about 30 seconds on Larry King Alive a couple of weeks ago; blech!

If they were smart (which is very doubtful), they would stick to Blue Cities and foreign countries.

[mewzilla]

...for perceived political sins of the past.

Perceived?! Past?!

[Question Liberal Authority]

One thing that has always bothered me about the Chicks kerfuffle: A radio station can only play one song at one time. If they're playing a Dixie Chicks song, they are necessarily excluding every other artist in the history of recorded medium at that time.

By the Chicks definition of "censorship", that would mean that playing a Dixie Chicks song is a de facto "censorship" of every other musician who has ever lived.

The other basic problem is this: The loudmouths who came to the Chicks' aid were generally people who never listened to the Chicks. They were just drive-by music fans who wanted to slam Clear Channel because they have a burning hatred of George W. Bush. It wasn't like the stinkin' whiners were going to vote with their own dollars and buy a cd. It's not their style to spend their own money to fix a problem.

So now you've got this product that basically, nobody on earth wants. And yet, it's supposed to be some global conspiracy that it doesn't sell? Is that Vanilla Ice's excuse for why nobody bought his 2nd album?

[RandallFlagg]

The funny thing is that some of the people who complain about this will be the same people calling for Ann Coulter's book to be banned.

[RandallFlagg]

Vanilla Ice had a second album??

Who knew?

[Question Liberal Authority]

Since when is quality of music a defining factor in radio play?

Fair enough. But when it sucks AND none of the fans want to hear the music AND there are no payola bribes being given to the djs? That's an uphill climb.

Plus, the other other thing that bugs me about the Chicks is this goofball notion that if you have anything else to listen to, you're some sort of knuckle dragging racist. There's never been more music available to listen to in the history of the world.

[barker]

Sounjds like their former fans are not ready to make nice either.

[abb]

In today's free section of The Wall Street Journal:

Dixie Chicks May Lay Egg With U.S. Tour
http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB115007594082977495-n33TRHekPWLLsinR1sVkfOKg5Tk_20070612.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top

[brewcrew]

Here's the most recent statement from their website. I'd say there's a bit of panic in the air:

June 9, 2006

MESSAGE FROM NATALIE, EMILY & MARTIE:

To our Fans:

Any reports being made about the cancellation of our upcoming Accidents And Accusations tour are completely false.

We have known since March 2003 that our path in this business would have obstacles at every pass. We have enjoyed meeting each one head-on and we will continue to do so. Dixie Chicks fans are as active and dedicated as they come. This time around we are willingly feeling our way through unchartered territory. Things don't come as easy as they might have come in the past, and it makes each accomplishment more exciting and appreciated.

We will go where the fans are with great anticipation and no regrets. To find out (along with us) where that is, visit www.dixiechicks.com for all updates to Accidents And Accusations tour information.

Love, The Chicks