Dixie Chicks don't stick at country radio

Reuters ^ | May 19, 2006 | Phyllis Stark

[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."

[pnz1]

One of the sisters (Martie I think) said in the 60 Minutes interview that country used to be "cool", but now it's "redneck"... She must have not seen their "Goodbye Earl" video?

[Bernard]

As the dull gray mantle of obscurity settles around Natalie Maines' shoulders, it makes you wonder how many other celebrities from the past were saved from similar fates by agents who kept them from saying stupid things like what the Dixie Chicks got into.

[Tribune7]

You mean bleu blanc et rouge.

[PGalt]

Words have meanings and actions have consequences!

Well stated, worth repeating.

And good people are connecting rapidly to discuss both.

[Soul Seeker]

I already told my station if I hear their music I won't be turning back in. So far, the boycott continues here.

[rock58seg]

Since I won't listen to them, could you elaborate?

[Rastus]

See post 39.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

If Maines was upset by her "treatment" by country music fans then she's going to overwhelmed by the left abandoning her as she's of no real further use to them. She's in for a rude awakening.

[Richard Kimball]

I've gotten several responses to my post, half agreeing, the other half, like yours, disagreeing. I've noticed the guys that disagree with me go back to before Maines was with them. I didn't hear their music from then, so it may have been different, and while I'm into country, I mostly hit iTunes for the old-timers, Hank Williams, Earl Scruggs, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, and the Statler Brothers, for example.

I like George Strait, Brookes and Dunn, and I really like the crossover Bluegrass Country stuff that the Dirt Band does, along with Redneck rock like Jerry Jeff Walker and Leon Russell. Of course, being from Texas, Bob Wills and Asleep at the Wheel get me going. The few songs I've heard the Chicks do seem very anonymous. If they've done some outstanding stuff, I'll take your word for it. I still listen to Linda Ronstadt, cause she broke my heart at a concert back when she was young and beautiful. Standing under the stage at Armadillo World Headquarters, I looked up at her, she looked at me with these eyes:

and sang "And if you want me to beg, I'll fall down on my knees" and I fell apart. She grinned and looked away, another victim of those eyes reduced to a puddle. I've posted that story before, but I always feel like I have to explain why I still have to listen to her music. Natalie couldn't do it. Never had it. Never will.

[Texasforever]

Buddy Holly. Whoever hated Buddy Holly? These people truly live in an alternate universe.

Maybe she meant Janis Joplin.

[gondramB]

>>And WHO is disappointed?<<

At the time i read that as the Chicks being disappointed but I see where you could read it as the author being disappointed.

[Revolting cat!]

Chubby Chicker

Chubby Chicker! Post of the day. You win hands down!

[Lockbar]

"Cue the Monty Python foot coming down on the Chix..."

Sorry, no ugly chixs, but here is the foot!

[Birmingham Rain]

Ta, Tribune.

[TET1968]

"Buddy Holly. Whoever hated Buddy Holly? These people truly live in an alternate universe."

Dissing Buddy Holly is like calling Audrey Hepburn a whore.
There ought to be a law against it.

[RebelBanker]

I have already sent nastygrams to CMT and two radio stations for playing their new videos/songs.

I used to consider them talented musicians - they are quite good on a variety of instruments and they harmonize very well. Now I just consider them a bunch of petulant, spoiled brats.

[Rastus]

I still listen to Linda when she comes on the radio. I don't listen to a lot of female vocalists, but she's got a great voice and I usually cotton to her material. It says a lot about her voice, because I am one to hold outspoken political views against an entertainer.

[Slings and Arrows]

Thanks! I report, you deride.

[Ichneumon]

On the Chicks Web site Maines writes that the song "is not just about Lubbock, but about any small, hypocritical town."

Wow, she's working hard to insult and p*** off just about *everyone*, isn't she?

[linn37]

The video that goes with the song 'not ready to make nice' sucks.