You do NOT want to smell this finger!
Posted on 09/14/2006 8:25:48 PM PDT by kristinn
SNIP
Oscar-winning doc filmmaker Barbara Kopple ("Harlan County USA," "American Dream") teamed up with collaborator Cecilia Peck to co-direct a behind the scenes look at the best-selling female group of all time, "The Dixie Chicks." The film, "Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing" was initially envisioned as a much more modest project, according to the band's Natalie Maines who spoke at a press conference this week at the Toronto International Film Festival. "We originally thought of having a filmmaker [to capture footage] for ourselves or as a supplement to some concert DVD release," said Maines. But Maines' now famous off-handed comment during a March, 2003 concert in London not only caused a tidal change for the Dixie Chicks' relationship with many of their fans, it also motivated Kopple to and Peck to expand the scale of the project.
"After the comment, we were really excited to do something more with the Dixie Chicks because they were willing to put everything on the line to stand up for what they believed in," said Kopple in Toronto. Lubbock, TX-raised Maines' remark, which caused an avalanche of criticism by right-wingers in the U.S. on the heels of the Iraq invasion was: "We're embarrassed that the President is from Texas." Perhaps not since John Lennon uttered the infamous remark that the Beatles were more famous then Jesus over three decades earlier had the reaction been so swift and vile. Right-wing groups responded with radio boycotts and CD burnings, and even a death threat against Maines.
"If we had been someone like Merle Haggard, it might have been spun like some kind of [cool] rebellion," said fellow bandmate Emily Robison about the early days of the controversy. "But people just don't like mouthy women in country music."
While the fallout from Maines' London comment is a focus of the film, "Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing" also takes viewers into personal arenas of the band, including balancing careers with motherhood, and there's also segments on Maines and fellow Chick Martie Maguire's in-vitro pregnancies in addition to their journey in the studio creating their latest album "Taking the Long Way," which debuted at number one on the Billboard charts this summer.
But it was the controversy and its repercussions that received the biggest attention at Wednesday's press conference. "We were their wet dream," said Maines about the right wing as well as political website The Free Republic in particular for organizing a substantial portion of the backlash. "We've been playing to about half the audiences we used to, but they're great and it feels like they have a purpose for being there... for free speech," added Maguire about their latest tour. "I have sat among the audience and it's been electric," said Kopple. "People have been singing, and holding up signs saying, 'Thank You!'"
Now a few years on, the band is still surprised that a one-off remark could cause such an uproar, and repeatedly referenced that surprise during the conversation in Toronto. "I would've never thought that me saying that would've brought on the reaction it did - with people banning us from the radio and me getting death threats." Yet, when asked by a member of the press about their feelings about Bush, they are steadfast. "A major disappointment... A major disgrace [when seeing] footage of Hurricane Katrina's aftermath. [Bush] has been a disaster, and seeing Spike Lee's documentary ("When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts") was awful."
At the world premiere of their film the night before in Toronto, co-director Cecilia Peck paid tribute to Canada on stage ahead of the screening, which the three band members recalled during the hour-long conversation with press the following day. Said Peck, "It's great to have the world premiere in a country where something like that which happened to the Dixie Chicks could never happen." "I think Americans should think about that," added one of the Chicks. [Brian Brooks]
Ch*x*e D*cks!
* = i
How about a vision of this in your dreams...
"I would've never thought that me saying that would've brought on the reaction it did. I mean, come on! Denouncing my country while on foreign soil during a time of war? What's the big deal?"
That was one of many. I was digging in the archives today and found that thread.
These dummys take spike lee serious? No wonder their careers in the toilet.
Than, than , than. I couldn't read anymore. The writer is obviously an ignoramous with a porcupine quill up his hind end. He's also pointless.
She looks like a parking lot "worker" at a truck stop.
Hey Natalie when you are in a hole, quit digging,
Cast member Natalie Maines displays a chicks paws tattoo on her foot. . . .
The Dixie Chicks evidently have become liberal old hens. The rooster lost interest long ago.
Canada's welcome to them. And Canada can forego my tourist dollars, too.
Oh, I don't know about that. She does fit the "portly pepperpot" profile, and she does have skills:
No, it's not about your shooting your mouth off about things you don't understand. And no, it's not about your gender. It is about believing you are completely, utterly wrong on this issue. It is about suddenly finding you not so entertaining or engaging knowing there are these stupid-crazy ideas floating around in your head.
...We've been playing to about half the audiences we used to, but they're great and it feels like they have a purpose for being there... for free speech...
Yep, free speech, freedom of expression. All for it. I've exercised my rights to these basic freedoms by not purchasing any more of your CDs, concert tickets, and switching the radio station anytime I hear one of your songs. Oh, and by the way, I have been to see two Toby Keith concerts, purchased his CDs, and always crank up his songs when they come on the radio. So, wonder why you've alienated half (or more) of your former fans?
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