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."

[Pharmboy]

Can't get into their official website. IMUS went after them good this AM...said she had some talent, but with an 80 IQ!

[mewzilla]

Laura Inghram made the point on Imus this morning that Maines waited to say this until after their U.S. concert tour was sold out. And that Maines said this in London and not Dallas. Maines is a real profile in courage, ain't she?

[wimpycat]

Somebody's gonna get booed in Greenville, South Carolina, and it ain't gonna be President Bush.

[theDentist]

So their attempt to quell the criticism was just as insulting and short-sighted as the original comment.

Nothing more than fuel for the fire.

[prisoner6]

"Irk" Isnp;t the word. I was going to take my wife to the conert here in PIttsburgh in June. Not now! We also are donating her TDC cd's to the library or to someone who >would< have bought them.

Of course I sent emails to TDC via Columbia/Sony explaining our actions and expressing our outrage.

FWIW I think this is the email... feedback@sonymusic.com

prisoner6

[ewing]

I really couldn't guess which is the hate America first one in the group..(sarcasm on)

[MizSterious]

"...one of the privileges of being an American is you are free to voice your own point of view..."

And another of the privileges of being an American is that those of us who don't like your opinion can speak out against it--and quit buying your cds for good measure.

The Dixie Pigs seem to think only celebs should air their views--evidently the rest of us should shut up and keep buying whatever they sell. They really need a clue.

[sirchtruth]

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."

Yes, that is true Ms. However you're gonna find out that you also have a responsibilty for those views!

I hope the country music fans boycott the living Shinola out of you and your music!

Which BTW is good, but you just made the biggest marketing blunder of your life!

[Bikers4Bush]

Sold out concerts is one thing. Whether it's well attended or anyone buys mechandise now that's another story.

[AmericanVictory]

Looks like they'll have to go into a different genre where anti-Americanism is rampant, rap perhaps. They could sing about "hos" and "killing". Whoops, I forgot, they're against killing. Well, maybe they can do Hollywood ballads with Babs. She's about their class, or lack thereof.

[mr.pink]

I'm hoping everyone still goes the concerts, whoop it up during the opening act....then when the DCs come on stage, walk out in mass.

[NittanyLion]

I was on here the other night saying these comments wouldn't affect the Dixie Chicks' status one bit. After reading about all the station boycotts and hearing Imus slam them this morning, I have to admit I was way off. There's certainly a backlash here that I didn't see coming.

[gulfcoast6]

Engaged mouth before engaging brain and it is going to cost them big time.

[Gaelic]

Is Baghdad Babs going to be on stage with them?

[mewzilla]

LOL. Another FReeper, apologies to said since I forget his/her handle, called them the Blixie Chicks on another thread. I thought that was pretty good, too.

[bvw]

There's a thinking man!

[mewzilla]

Well, folks can always ask for their money back. I would.

[rintense]

I am willing to bet that Maines did not speak for the other two.

[JohnnyZ]

They could sing about "hos" and "killing". Whoops, I forgot, they're against killing.

I guess you haven't heard their "Earl" song . . .