"We"? Speak for yourself. The cat never makes mistakes. The unspoken subtext was: "Hear it Bocelli (...and tell Pavarotti the news!)"
Great voice.
Great voice.
Posted on 05/20/2006 11:44:36 AM PDT by West Coast Conservative
Disappointing airplay for the first two singles from the new album by the Dixie Chicks exposes a deep -- and seemingly growing -- rift between the trio and the country radio market that helped turn the group into superstars.
"Taking the Long Way," due out May 23, is the band's first album since singer Natalie Maines sparked a major controversy in 2003 by declaring that she was ashamed to hail from the same state as fellow Texan President George W. Bush. Radio boycotts ensued, and many fans abandoned the band.
The first single, "Not Ready to Make Nice," peaked at No. 36 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, beginning its descent after just seven weeks. The second single, "Everybody Knows," is now at No. 50, down two places in its fourth week.
"Not Ready to Make Nice" performed only slightly better at adult contemporary radio, peaking at No. 32 on the AC chart and falling off after six weeks.
From the beginning of the album rollout, the Dixie Chicks were eager that their songs be worked to radio formats beyond country. The album was produced by rock veteran Rick Rubin, whose credits include the Red Hot Chili Peppers, System of a Down and Johnny Cash.
By picking the defiant "Not Ready" as the first single, they've reopened a wound that was particularly deep for country radio fans, and left many country programmers with the burning question: Why on earth would the band choose to do this?
After hearing the album, WKIS Miami program director Bob Barnett says he was "excited about the opportunity to introduce some great Chicks music to the listeners." But the group's decision to come with "Not Ready" as the lead single left him "stunned, especially in light of the fact that, when asked, programmers and consultants that listened to the project were virtually unanimous in saying we should put the politics behind us and concentrate on all this other great music we were hearing."
KUBL/KKAT Salt Lake City PD Ed Hill criticizes the song's "self-indulgent and selfish lyrics."
Barnett played the song for a week, but pulled it after listeners called to say it sounded like the Chicks were "gloating" or "rubbing our noses in it," he reports. "We didn't need to pick at the scab any longer."
He and other country programmers were upset that the group chose to launch its new album with a single that rehashed all the angst of three years ago.
The two singles have had a striking lack of impact at radio, considering the band's history. Between 1997 and 2003, it notched 14 top 10 country singles, including six No. 1 hits. In addition to eight Grammy Awards, the group has won 10 Country Music Assn. Awards and eight Academy of Country Music Awards. The trio has sold 23.4 million albums in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
The Dixie Chicks and reps from their label, Columbia Records, declined to participate in this story. But -- at least as far as Maines is concerned -- the drop-off at country radio was part of its plan.
Maines was quoted in late January on entertainmentweekly.com, before the single went to country radio, saying: "For me to be in country music to begin with was not who I was ... I would be cheating myself ... to go back to something that I don't wholeheartedly believe in. So I'm pretty much done. They've shown their true colors. I like lots of country music, but as far as the industry and everything that happened ... I couldn't want to be farther away from that."
Maines also said, "I don't want people to think that me not wanting to be part of country music is any sort of revenge. It is not. It is totally me being who I am, and not wanting to compromise myself and hate my life."
At KNCI Sacramento, Calif., the Chicks' music weathered the 2003 controversy only to be pulled as a result of Maines' new Entertainment Weekly comments, coupled with poor scores in local music tests.
"When an artist says that they don't want to be a part of that industry, it made our decision a no-brainer," program director Mark Evans says. "There are too many talented new artists dying to have a song played on country radio, so I'd rather give one of them a shot."
By the way, why did you post a picture of Andrea Bocelli when mentioning Pavarotti???? I guess we ALL make mistakes, eh?
I'm reading this thread, listening to Red Steagall, Ian Tyson, and Wylie Gustafson. With the exception of Tyson's folk work in the '60s, none of these men are households names or million record sellers. But, it's great, timeless music. I hope I don't freeze myself out by providing this link (I think there's a limit on the number of listeners allowed), but you can check some of it out here:
http://www.live365.com/stations/mattmccor
I can't remember. Was it just one, or did two of the 3 marry into Islam?
Synthetic, manufactured stars, like most of the Kenny Chesneys today in country. One step above Milli Vanilli, in that they are using their own voices (we think), while the instruments are picked on records by studio pros.
Maybe they should team up with Britney Spears.
Of course you know that's not Pavarotti!
I MEANT COUNTRY MUSIC...
The Dixie Chicks build the best disposable Frisbees.
All shiny and silver, they also make great 100 yd targets at the range.....and when I miss I tell people the shot went right thru the little hole in the middle.
They could dub themselves the Baby Droppin' Banshees.
Frisbees? Pah. They make great skeet.
My exact thoughts about the comparison to Buddy Holly!
"We"? Speak for yourself. The cat never makes mistakes. The unspoken subtext was: "Hear it Bocelli (...and tell Pavarotti the news!)"
Great voice.
Great voice.
# 132
I think Maines is married to the little dark-haired actor on Crossing Jordan - don't know his name.
Nice Parry!!
And WHO is disappointed?
The Ditzy Chicks made their bed, let them lie in it. They lie all the time anyway.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.