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"The international press won't get their first look at the documentary Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing until its gala premiere at the Toronto Film Festival tonight. But EW.com got an early look at the sure-to-be-controversial doc in Los Angeles and can attest that the film will continue to bring the (ex?) country trio more plaudits from progressives and further condemnation from conservatives. And if you think singer Natalie Maines had some harsh words for President Bush in public, wait till you hear what she had to say about him behind the scenes. In one memorable scene, Maines watches news...

Barbara Kopple and Cecilia Peck have crafted an insightful and heartfelt look at the experiences of the Dixie Chicks over the last three years, chronicling the often bizarre consequences of singer Natalie Maines' anti-Bush wisecrack on a London stage. Maines' statement is captured in "Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing," as are the meetings where they plot how to circumvent the core country audience and, eventually, how to reroute a tour and cancel shows due to poor ticket sales. It's the rare thorough documentary on a musical act whose dilemmas are faced in the here and now, one that should...

Confederate heritage groups got excited when Gov. Bob Riley's annual proclamation designating April as Confederate History and Heritage Month dropped a paragraph saying slavery was the cause of the Civil War. The groups were pleased because they consider that description of slavery historically inaccurate. Their excitement, however, was short lived. "It was a mistake," said Jeff Emerson, the governor's communications director, on Monday. He said he did not know how the mistake was made. Emerson said the governor was unaware of the deletion until The Associated Press contacted his office. The governor quickly reissued the proclamation with the paragraph on...

NATALIE SAYS IT WAS JUST A JOKE Natalie Maines says she was only joking when she told a London concert the Dixie Chicks were ashamed President Bush is from the trio's home state of Texas. CMT.com says Maines told a New Zealand TV reporter the March 10 remark was "a joke and it wasn't planned. And it was really funny at the time." Scores of radio stations didn't think so, and stopped playing Dixie Chicks music in protest. The Chicks' single "Travelin' Soldier" plunged on the charts. "You see the trouble that you can get into if you speak religion...

NBCSandiego.comManager: No More Apologies From Dixie Chicks Fallout Continues From Controversial Bush Comment POSTED: 9:39 a.m. EST March 26, 2003 The manager of the Dixie Chicks says singer Natalie Maines is through with her apologies for a controversial comment she made in a London concert about President George W. Bush. 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...

Statement from Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks March 14, 2003 "As a concerned American citizen, I apologize to President Bush because my remark was disrespectful. I feel that whoever holds that office should be treated with the utmost respect. We are currently in Europe and witnessing a huge anti-American sentiment as a result of the perceived rush to war. While war may remain a viable option, as a mother, I just want to see every possible alternative exhausted before children and American soldiers' lives are lost. I love my country. I am a proud American."

After reading this post: "San Antonio DJ Pulls The Plug On The Dixie Chicks(Clear Channel FM Flagship--It's Over, Folks)", I thought I should post this email I just got from my local CC . It's NOT over. Clear Channel is NOT issuing any orders regarding the Saddam Sluts. Sounds like KJ 97 in Dallas is just pulling a gimmick, and the Vichy Chicks will be back on the air in days.Hi [Timesink]:Thank you very much for taking the time to write to WTCR - we appreciateyour input and thank you very much for your continued listenership.Regarding the Dixie Chicks and...

San Antonio DJ Pulls The Plug On The Dixie ChicksA popular country music group has some San Antonians turning off their radios. A KJ 97 DJ pulled the plug on the trio's songs after lead singer Natalie Maines made a negative comment about President Bush. The trio is on tour overseas, but they're causing quite a stir back here at home. "Natalie Maines before a concert audience in London, England said, and I quote, ‘Just so you know, we're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas,’" said Keith Montgomery with KJ 97. The comments prompted Montgomery to...