"Prouder Than Ever", Maines (Dixie Chick)

http://launch.yahoo.com/read/news.asp?contentID=212904 ^ | Margy Holland

[LibertyGrrrl]

(4/4/03, 7 a.m. ET) -- The Dixie Chicks are expressing concern for their personal safety since singer Natalie Maines uttered the now infamous anti-Bush statement, "We're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas," to a London audience.

"We've gotten a lot of hate mail, a lot of threatening mail," Martie Maguire told reporters in Australia. "Emily (Robison) had the front gate of her ranch smashed in. We have to have security when we get back to the States. It puts my well-being in jeopardy."

Maines, however, has reacted more flippantly to the situation, according to reports. The singer said, "The more flack I get for it, the prouder I am." She was also quick to point out that in her hometown of Lubbock, Texas, "only six people showed up," for a public Chicks CD-smashing protest.

Maines's comment has also taken its toll on the Dixie Chicks' album sales, which have dropped a reported 52 percent. Despite the dip in sales, the group remains the top-selling country act, with their album Home firmly entrenched in the Number One spot on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.

The Dixie Chicks will kick off their "Top Of The World" tour on May 1 in Greenville, South Carolina.

-- Margy Holland, Nashville

[Teetop]

The Dixie Chicks will kick off their "Top Of The World" tour on May 1 in Greenville, South Carolina. >>>>>

How appropriate for them to open on "May Day"!

[Walkingfeather]

WE NEED TO EGG THE DIXIE CHICKS BUS IN EVERY TOWN THEY SHOW UP IN!!!

[Timesink]

Despite the dip in sales, the group remains the top-selling country act, with their album Home firmly entrenched in the Number One spot on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.

All this proves is a) How few records you have to sell to be "number one" on the country chart, and b) Today's country music SUCKS.

[Guenevere]

#19...You forgot to add the sarcasm tag :^

[Walkingfeather]

EGG THE DIXIE CHICKS!

[basil]

I'm one Texan who is embarrased that these people are known as Texans.

[Timesink]

Interesting. Earlier, she claimed she was just joking. I guess this is to impress her Hollywood buddies, while the apology and "I was just joking" claim was to appease her fans.

She appers to be reacting like someone who's been told they're going to die. The "five phases of acceptance" or whatever it's called.

[exit82]

The Dixie Chicks are popular because they trade on their "country image"--to their country fans who are the bedrock of this country. As people, I have often doubted that they were truly "country", they seemed too punkish and packaged for the image,in spite of some musical talent.

To me, the cover has finally been blown. They are not country and not true Americans. I didn't hear Natalie Maines speak the same way about Clinton and Iraq or Kososvo--she is just Bush bashing. And she doesn't get it that it is triply bad because she did it overseas in a time of war against the CIC of our troops.

And notice, not a mention about Saddam Hussein--no, in the Dixie Chick world, only the US President is bad.

Now we see that not only is Natalie Maines not sorry for what she said, even in the face of the upset to her loyal fans, she's is proud of it and standing it by it.

She is getting rewarded big time. And no ones deserves it more. I hope the act tanks.

After all, wasn't one of their monster hits a song about killing a man? Yeah, we're non violent aren't we?

[FryingPan101]

"the front gate of her ranch smashed in."

I don't know people who would do things like that. Wait. Rummy had his property defaced in New Mexico by...uh...peaceniks.

[Timesink]

Honestly, I have more respect for her. She's standing up for what she believes in, no matter how misguided. Better this than a fake apology. I mean this with all my heart.

But she's already GIVEN the fake apology. Now she's in standard Hollywood Liberal "throw everything to the wall and see what sticks" Meltdown mode.

[skeeter]

America is not totally to blame. Australia is equally guilty. "You guys are there too, I know. It is sad, it is sad" she says.

Whats REALLY sad is being "country music royalty" and not having a single, much less a hit, for the past 20 years.

[Brad C.]

I have a better idea. As a means of showing good will, I think President Bush should call them up and ask them to help entertain the troops while they are on tour. Maybe even give the first concert in a liberated Iraq. i am sure the troops would give them a warm welcome.

[pnz1]

If it makes you feel better, I think one was born in PA & one in MA..

[Eva]

O'Reilly read a letter from "down under" that said that the Dixies Chicks had been performing there and that they have been stating that they stand by their earlier statement regarding Bush.

[LibertyGrrrl]

I cannot stress how important it is that this comment receives as much publicity as possible; perhaps even more than the first one. It was buried in launch.com's website...
I've sent links to local radio stations. Hopefully, they'll take notice....

[Guenevere]

...and now I'm embarrassed by Roxanne Cash....
..don't think Johnny will appreciate it either.

[Revolting cat!]

The reaction to reaction tells me that they are incapable of learning. Sure, they've gotten some crazy responses and death threats, but the story has been all over the media and the net, and there have been many well reasoned responses to their antics, even some sympathetic advice. Like terrible two year olds, the Chicks and their fellow celebrities refuse to "get it"!

[Timesink]

Not only does Rosanne detest the reaction to Dixie Chicks, she detests her Government's involvement in the war and she isn't afraid to say so. "I am totally opposed to it. I have been so since day 1" she tells Undercover. "I am sick about the whole thing. I think it is wrong, I think it is wrong that we have gone against the U.N., that we have alienated our allies, that we have invaded a country that hasn't threatened us. It is a pre-emptive strike. It is wrong on so many levels. That doesn't mean I don't support the troops. My heart breaks every time I watch the TV and I see these poor kids out there but I do not support the war. I support the troops but I do not support the war".

Spoken like someone who has NO country music career.

Rosanne is about to release her first new album in nearly a decade.

No album for ten years. No country music career. Have fun over on the 300-records-sold-puts-you-on-top "Americana" chart, babe.

[Paul Atreides]

What? A free concert, without a chance to mouth off? You must be crazy.

[Walkingfeather]

You for got to add the sarcasm notation.... certainly you were not serious.