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]
"For the love of God, Natalie, stay away from the all-you-can-eat buffet!!! Oh the humanity!!!"
The need to FIRE THEIR MANAGER!!! roflol!
Maguire: "And our manager kept saying, 'This will blow over in three days, tops,' so we just kept believing him."
Lovely pic of Natalie. What was that, about 30 pounds ago?
Blasphemy !!!
No idea. I don't keep track of the Chicks.
If"They Are",then I'm"NOT"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Boy, this girl is not too swift. She freely tours the country telling crowds her free speech is being impinged! She sells millions of recordings claiming her free speech is under attack! LOL
I suppose she thinks that everyone in the music industry and the media should be forced to buy and sell her creations, or, perhaps, that no one should be allowed to criticize her. Quite the little Stalinist, aren't we Natalie?
I used to be that way. Now because I've seen the real damage liberalism has caused on this great nation, I can no longer stomach an artist once I hear their political veiwpoint if it is contrary to mine.
I used to think Striesand had a great voice, now all I hear is a shrill.
I used to think Rosie was funny, (early nineties), now I think she is a moron
Basically it has come down to this, I have no more use for them and I don't need my money going to support their lifestyle and 'causes'
My *dog* has better taste.
You reference people with whom I had the pleasure to work.
The "Beatle Vinyl" burning originated with station WSGN, Tommy Charles along with Doug Layton.
The story was picked up by the BBC and other outlets, some of the facts are urban legend.
Tommy Charles was the greatest pitch man for local, independent advertisers that ever graced a microphone.
Of course, I say that with all respect to Joe and Curly on WVOK.
Well, I can't forget Duke Rumor and I raise a nice glass of red wine Duke, in your honor.
For those of you that don't get it, shrug.
The great aspect relating to performing for audiences half the size of the ones they used to attract is that Natalie doesn't have to wait in line as long at the concession stands to stoke up on nachos and other health food that have resulted in her "perfect 10" figure.
To paraphrase a SNL comment Dan Ackroyd made in skits to Jane Curtain, "Natalie, you ignorant slut"!
EODGUY
I watched "This is Spinal Tap" in Natalie's honor just this afternoon! lol
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