Dixie Chicks Remark Irks Country Fans

AP/Herald Tribune.com ^ | Mar 14 03

[veronica]

The Dixie Chicks are drawing harsh words from country music fans for remarks singer Natalie Maines made about President George W. Bush during a recent performance in London.

Maines told the audience earlier this week, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."

Angry phone calls flooded Nashville radio station WKDF-FM on Thursday, some calling for a boycott of the Texas trio's music.

The group released a statement Thursday saying they have been overseas for several weeks and "the anti-American sentiment that has unfolded here is astounding. While we support our troops, there is nothing more frightening than the notion of going to war with Iraq and the prospect of all the innocent lives that will be lost."

In a separate statement Thursday, Maines said, "I feel the president is ignoring the opinion of many in the U.S. and alienating the rest of the world. My comments were made in frustration, and one of the privileges of being an American is you are free to voice your own point of view."

The Dixie Chicks will kick off a U.S. tour in support of their multi-platinum album "Home" on May 1 in Greenville, South Carolina. The group's hits include "Wide Open Spaces," "Ready to Run" and "Landslide."

[NittanyLion]

This tour won't see any of my money! My wife and daughter wanted to go...but forget that!

You plan to forbid your wife and daughter from seeing the show?

[sheik yerbouty]

Take all the air out of the tires.

[jonalvy44]

boycott is on!! amazing how stupid some of these people are...

[chiefqc]

If thats the best that comes out of mouth, maybe she needs something better put in.

[NittanyLion]

I'm curious to see the response I get...

[fella]

Good bye ... chicks. It was nice but now it's over.

[Ben Bolt]

Yeah .. A paragon of conviction . My daddy always told me not to shiite where I eat . I hope these simpletons get what is due them .

[Nea Wood]

What makes you think the other two are patriotic?

I don't know, since I can't read their minds. But as far as I know, neither of the other two has yet opened her piehole to make the kinds of dumb remarks Natalie seems to repeatedly make. They may indeed be as unpatriotic as Natalie, but have the sense to keep their opinions to themselves, which is all I ask of any entertainer.

[Pharmboy]

She's certainly free to express her opinion; but this was in a foreign country at a time of (pre)war. Not good.

[xp38]

The best rendition of the US National Anthem I have ever heard was the one done by the Morman Tabernacle Choir for the Opening Ceremonies of the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games. Moving beyond words.

[Illbay]

There are so many "celebs" making far more outrageous remarks than this, I suspect that this will blow over.

[timestax]

bump to the top!

[Illbay]

Look, it would be great if these "Chicks" would actually pay dearly for their remark, I just don't think it's going to happen.

I think too many of us think that a majority of people feel as strongly as FReepers do on issues like this.

People will keep buying the CDs and attending the concerts. That's my prediction.

[CyberAnt]

Well ... she should be ashamed to call herself an American. You don't go dissing your President during wartime.

[kb2614]

Your right, it's not good nor is it surprising. I've noticed that most celebrities spout out there drivel in foreign lands. The reaction your seeing against them isn't surprising nor should it surprise them. I'm not sympathetic to them. If your going to make strong statements for or against something, you'd better expect this kind of reaction. I doubt the Dixie Chicks expected this. Oh well, now they know. There now members of the Usefull Idiots!!

[Saundra Duffy]

The Dixie Chicks can kiss my butt! Never again will I waste my valuable time and money with their crap! NOW THE GOOD NEWS: Last night we attended Ricky Skaggs concert in Hanford CA. Ricky made positive uplifting patriotic statements about our country and he criticized and made fun of the left and Hollywood nuts. IT WAS GREAT!!! WE ALL ROARED OUR SUPPORT FOR WHAT HE WAS SAYING. Bluegrass forever! For victory & freedom!!!

[Nea Wood]

Interesting...my local country station just announced that Emily, Marty, and Emily's husband have all criticized Maines's remarks and stated that they do not agree with her!

[sparkomatic]

I emailed WCOL in Columbus, OH. I asked them not to play DC music. A reply I got is posted here:

Keith-

Thanks for your note! Although shocking, but maybe not so shocking of Natalie Maines comments on George Bush, in the end the public will decide if she shot herself in the foot by making those comments and not buying Dixie Chicks cd's...

Agree or disagree, she, like every other American has a constitutional right to their own opinion.

Thanks again for your concern and I do understand your frustration at a time like this.

Joe Boxer

Afternoons 3-7p

92.3 WCOL

[dfwgator]

Interesting...my local country station just announced that Emily, Marty, and Emily's husband have all criticized Maines's remarks and stated that they do not agree with her!

Translation: We didn't realize just how much support Bush has and we'd better cover our butts if we want to keep making money.

[winner3000]

An idea for fans who have Dixie Chicks CD's. Don't destroy them, SELL THEM. Destroying them won't hurt the Chicks since they already collected $ for them. But if someone is thinking of buying a Chicks CD, they will buy your used one instead, thereby preventing the group from collecting more $. If their label is not making $, they will eventually drop them.