Chicks take licks from protestors

St. Petersburg Times ^ | May 6, 2003 | BABITA PERSAUD

[Cincinatus' Wife]

TAMPA - Before Monday, the Dixie Chicks "Top of the World" tour saw few protesters.

In Orlando on Saturday, one showed up, a Texan, who held a sign: "I am ashamed the Dixie Chicks are from Texas."

And in Sunrise on Sunday, there was another lone voice against the country trio: "Bush ain't proud you're from Texas either," chided the T-shirt on Mark Ewbank of Miami.

Then came Tampa, the home of U.S. Central Command. Or more like: The home of competitive radio stations.

In a protest organized by WFLZ, 93.3-FM, a pop and dance station, about 25 people congregated near the parking lot of Beef O'Bradys across from the St. Pete Times Forum on Monday.

"Fester," a DJ with the MJ Morning Show, wouldn't explain why the station spearheaded the protest. "Let the people have their say," he said.

And so, one protester, Jeanette Planchard, a construction supervisor from Zephyrhills, held up a white plastic toilet seat cover.

"Dixie Chicks, here's your career," she said, pointing to the center of the seat.

"They finally came to my area, now I'm expressing my views," said Joe Nirenberg, a 22-year-old who graduated from USF on Saturday.

To passing cars, they waved signs: "Big Chicks, Small Brains" and "Shut up Dixie Twits."

"I like country music, and Dixie Chicks don't represent country music," said Grant Adkins, a University of Florida junior.

Across the street, WQYK, non-stop country, broadcasted live. And most Dixie Chicks fans ignored the protesters.

One little girl in a cowboy hat shouted: "Everyone has the right to their opinion."

"Get over it, get a life," said Leah Hussey, 22, from Tampa.

The Chicks have survived ridicule before, she said.

Last year, when their single Sin Wagon came out with lyrics about "mattress dancing," the public was outraged, saying the song was not suitable for young kids.

"But it made me like them more," said Hussey.

On March 10, on the eve of war, Dixie Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines told a London audience: "Just so you know we're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas."

It started a landslide.

Their hit song Travelin' Soldier tumbled completely off the charts.

Sales of Home, their latest CD, plummeted.

So what did the Chicks do?

They posed nude on the cover of Entertainment Weekly, their bodies stenciled with the names people called them: "Saddam's Angels," "Dixie sluts," "Traitor."

In an interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer, Maines stopped short of apologizing.

"Am I sorry that I asked questions and that I just don't follow? No," she said.

Now, their CD is back on the charts. And their tour is selling out. The audience at the Forum on Monday was a near sellout at about 16,000.

"We forgive them," said Casey McMillan, 21, a fan.

Yet, others haven't.

"Wait til they play Texas," said Scott Young, 19, waving an American flag. "It's going to be ugly."

- Times researcher John Martin contributed to this report.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Cluck-cluck

[mewzilla]

I bet you they break up before they can produce another CD.

[RonF]

There's going to be some protestors, but I note that in their current tour, 34 of 38 venues have sold out so far, and that was as of a week ago, so the other 4 likely will as well.

[Sunshine Sister]

Yes, they are entitled to their opinions. Do I have to support them..............hell no!

[mewzilla]

They were sold out before they made their comments in London. And the Blixies are refusing to refund any tickets people want to return.

[eyespysomething]

By continuing to talk about these non-news worthy little girls, they are given more credit than they deserve or have earned.
I will never buy another of their CD's, nor support them financially in any way. If a song of theirs comes on the radio, I may or may not change the station. If I was asked directly, I would say I do not support what they said, especially in the venue they used.
Enough with the name calling. Ignore them, and soon, like a stray dog, they will wander off.

[usnret99]

See how quickly the American public forgets....

How Sad.......

[KellyAdmirer]

And their tour is selling out. The audience at the Forum on Monday was a near sellout at about 16,000.

They didn't sell out Tampa??? I'm glad people are still protesting despite the media attempts to make it appear the whole thing blew over already - which it definitely is not.

[bmwcyle]

These girls are about as sharp as a bowling ball.

[RonF]

Ah. I was unaware of the timing. As far as refunding for tickets already sold, I am unaware that anyone else would do that. Is that a common practice?

[mbynack]

"Bush ain't proud you're from Texas either," chided the T-shirt ...

Where can I get one?

[poindexter]

All of their shows will continue to be sold out. The audience is self-selected. In any venue, there will always be enough fans willing to pay $40 to see them to fill the seats. The real test of their popularity is in their overall record sales, over time.

[TLBSHOW]

I like this story, when one or more are gathered to slam the dix that gets the message out to these blix chicks.

[dalebert]

Wonder if the chicks would give their own life for their freedom of speach.

[shiva]

"Bush ain't proud you're from Texas either," chided the T-shirt

Ohhhhh! I want one of thoes!

[Eowyn-of-Rohan]

Do you mean it is sad how quickly so many Americans forget that in America we are entitled to speak freely?

[kinsman redeemer]

I pressed "Post Reply" but I forgot what I was going to say...

or even what this thread was about...

Signed,
a Typical American

[SerpentDove]

[JustAnAmerican]

"Do you mean it is sad how quickly so many Americans forget that in America we are entitled to speak freely

Guess you conveniently forgot they said this in another country in front of an audience that was anti-Bush, anti-American.The Chicken Sh@tz would not have dared say it in this country.

[kinsman redeemer]

Did you mean, "Freedom of spinach?"

LOL