NBCSandiego.com
Manager: No More Apologies From Dixie Chicks
Fallout Continues From Controversial Bush Comment
POSTED: 9:39 a.m. EST March 26, 2003
Texas-native Maines (pictured, far right) told the audience earlier this month, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."
Simon Renshaw told the trade paper Radio and Records that Maines has already issued two strongly worded statements for making the comments, and right now, he doesn't think that "Natalie can win."
Maines posted an apology on the group's Web site March 14, saying she was disrespectful to Bush, and anyone who holds the presidency should be treated with the utmost respect.
She also said she was a proud American, and expressed that she wanted to see all other options exhausted before the lives of Iraqi children and American soldiers are lost in an attack.
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When the Chicks return to the United States in May, it sounds as though Maines won't be making any public apologies at the group's concerts, either.
"If she goes on the microphone and apologizes, they'll say she doesn't sound contrite enough," Renshaw told Radio and Records.
Maines' first public test of resilience will come May 1 when the group opens its North American tour leg in South Carolina. The state House in South Carolina recently passed a resolution requesting that the Dixie Chicks apologize directly to South Carolinians. The resolution also requests that the trio play a free concert for troops and military families in the state.
In the meantime, Greenville, S.C., radio host Mike Gallagher said he's "75 percent of the way there" in booking Charlie Daniels to perform in an alternative concert to the Chicks' performance May 1, according to Radio and Records.
Gallagher has a wish list of other big-name performers for the alternative concert, including Tritt and Toby Keith. If the concert flies, Gallagher said all of the proceeds will help provide food and personal care items to the families of military personnel.
In addition, Gallagher is holding a block of free VIP seats and a backstage reception for Dixie Chicks ticket-holders, because he says the Chicks' promoters are not offering refunds.
Reacting to Gallagher's plans, Renshaw said, "It will be fantastic to see who he gets to play. If he thinks there should be a counter-show, I wish him good luck."
Through all the controversy, at least one high-profile celebrity is speaking out in the Dixie Chicks' defense. In his controversial speech shaming Bush at the Oscars Sunday night, documentary filmmaker Michael Moore said, "Any time you have the pope and the Dixie Chicks against you, your time is up!"
Previous Stories:
- March 20, 2003: Broadcast Group Bans Dixie Chicks On 42 Stations
- March 19, 2003: S.C. Lawmakers Peck Away At Dixie Chicks
- March 18, 2003: Travis Tritt Slams Dixie Chick, Antiwar Celebs
- March 17, 2003: Even With Apology, Fans Still Protesting Dixie Chicks
- March 14, 2003: Dixie Chick Apologizes For Anti-Bush Comment
- March 14, 2003: Upset About Bush Remark, Radio Stations Dump Dixie Chicks
- March 13, 2003: Dixie Chick Explains Bush Slam At London Concert
Copyright 2003 by . The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
