Posted on 04/05/2003 7:47:44 AM PST by TLBSHOW
War Support Songs Invade Airwaves Antiwar Songs Played Less
SAN DIEGO -- Radio listeners may be hearing more songs in support of the war, than opposition, 10News reported.
"I like Iraq's chances of winning the war than hearing an antipatriotic song or un-American song on a country station," country radio station KSON 97.3 program director John Dibeck said.
Dibeck was recently forced to deal with the issue head on when the lead singer of the Dixie Chicks, Natalie Maines, said to a London audience, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."
All three Chicks -- Maines, Martie Maguire and Emily Robinson -- are from Texas.
Since that remark, the Dixie Chicks have been blasted by negative press and are no longer being played at KSON.
"Country is country. It's about God, guts and guns. The reality is that we have a very patriotic, God fearing audience," Dibeck said.
Apparently, it's a trend that is catching on, 10News reported.
Pop star Madonna has decided to withdraw the antiwar-themed video for her new single "American Life" out of respect for U.S. troops.
In a statement on her Web site, Madonna said that the video was filmed before the war started, and isn't appropriate to air at this time.
The video is for the title track of a new album.
It shows Madonna wearing military garb next to dancers in camouflage on a fashion runway.
At one point, a grenade is thrown toward a look-alike of President George W. Bush.
Click here for Madonna's "American Life" lyrics
Some antiwar songs can only be heard on the Internet.
Dr. Ellen Weller is a professor of music as it relates to culture at the University of California San Diego.
Weller said it's not surprising that groups like the Beastie Boys and R.E.M. have taken their music and message of antiwar to the musical underground.
Click here for Beastie Boys' "In A World Gone Mad" lyrics
Click here for R.E.M.'s "The Final Straw" lyrics
She said that the songs may have been popular back in the Vietnam era, but people are singing a different tune these days.
"You have a different social atmosphere here now. You don't have the outcry on civil rights, and protest music was clearly linked with civil rights," Weller said.
However, there is one San Diego radio station that decided to play antiwar songs found on the Internet -- alternative radio station 94.9 FM.
Ironically, the station is located in the same building as KSON.
94.9 program manager Garret Michaels said he had played both the controversial Beastie Boys and R.E.M. songs, but later decided to pull the plug on both.
A clear sign that even an alternative point of view can't guarantee radio play in time of war.
"I don't think that we are the people who should determine if it's good or not. I think the audience needs to determine if it's good or not. And it's very clear that the audience voted in favor of not playing it anymore," Michaels said.
Do you plan to boycott the Dixie Chicks because of comments made about President George W. Bush? Yes No
I understand that it was released in Europe.
We will liberate the entertainment industry too!
It isn't appropriate at any time.
The video depicts bloody babies (dead and tortured American 19 year olds don't qualify) and it depicts President Bush throwing grenades and lighting a cigar from the flames of war.
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