Dixie Chicks at a Crossroads (more detail on the F.U.T.K. t-shirt)

Washington Dispatch ^ | May 28, 2003 | CK Rairden

[fightinJAG]

Dixie Chicks at a Crossroads

Exclusive commentary by CK Rairden

May 28, 2003

The Dixie Chicks were doing so well. Lead singer Natalie Maines had finally shut up, and the country artists had been cheered on their American concert tour for their music. Then came the prestigious American Country Music Awards in Las Vegas. The very mention of their name drew a chorus of boos from the crowd.

“Just so you know, we're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas, lead singer Natalie Maines told a London audience in March. The Chicks took heat for that remark for weeks, so much so that they went on a ‘victim tour’ to attempt to garner sympathy from their fans. They cried on the ABC magazine show “Prime Time.” They sat for an interview that ran in the magazine Entertainment Weekly, and posed for an apparently heavily airbrushed nude cover shot with slogans transcribed all over their bods.

They claimed they were being harassed and threatened and released information that they would hire off duty police officers to protect them. The victim card was played then the Chicks then held their breath and opened their tour in Greenville, South Carolina.

It went well as those who paid to see the Chicks greeted the band with cheers and not jeers.

It continued that way for all of their tour dates. Folks who paid to see them generally cheered, the Chicks kept their mouths shut except to sing and their fans supported them.

Then came the prestigious Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas. It started out poorly for the Chicks as hostess Reba McEntire joked about them in her open monologue twice to a howling response from their peers.

This crowd in Las Vegas seemed less forgiving as none of them paid to see the Chicks perform. At the mention of the Chicks name, boos scattered down from the crowd.

But it still wasn’t all that bad.

The big problem for the country music trio came when they were asked at the last moment to perform via satellite from Austin, Texas. Silence greeted the band in the Vegas auditorium as they were introduced. They played a tune that was broadcast on screen and as the camera zoomed in on lead singer and political commentator Natalie Maines you could see the letters F.U.T.K on her homemade t-shirt.

Most believe the T.K stands for Toby Keith, a country music superstar in his own right and singer of the very patriotic song “Courtesy of the Red White and Blue” (The Angry American.) It doesn’t take much to figure out what the F.U. stood for.

The patriotic country music fans in Vegas didn’t like the vulgar statement.

Toby Keith wrote that song after 9/11 in honor of his late father and it became an anthem for music fans that believed America had to defend itself after the attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center towers.

It was also a song that former POW Pfc. Patrick Miller sang to his captors while being held in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Toby Keith even met Miller at his homecoming parade in Valley Center, Kansas and struck up a duet of the tune with the private. He then gave Miller his guitar from that day. It was a nice gesture by Keith, and fans appreciated it across America.

So once again, with her petty message to Keith, Natalie Maines gave the appearance of being ungrateful and unpatriotic.

The Vegas crowd would soon let her know about it.

Their name was then mentioned for entertainer of the year and the boos were thunderous. Presenter Vince Gill tried to quiet the crowd, but to no avail. This entire ceremony was a celebration of music and patriotism, and the Chicks were still perceived to be the exact opposite of that.

The show saluted the armed forces several times, including a standing ovation for three freed POWs of the Iraq war who were invited on stage. Pfc. Miller was there along with Chief Warrant Officer Ronald Young Jr. from Fort Hood, Texas and Spc. Shoshana Johnson, from Fort Bliss, Texas.

Johnson was shown misty-eyed as Darryl Worley sang his patriotic anthem for the soldiers “Have You Forgotten?”

The crowd had no patience for the Dixie Chicks and their anti-war stance.

The Dixie Chicks lost the entertainer of the year award to none other than Toby Keith, which pleased the Vegas fans. In fact they failed to win any awards.

Launch YAHOO! caught up with host Reba McEntire and asked her if she thought the Chicks' helped themselves to win back any support of the fans or fellow performers who were not happy with Maines' unpatriotic comment. McEntire made her opinion clear, “(It) didn't sound like it. I announced it, and it was a pretty big negative response. It was very, very bad. I don't think it's over.”

Reba is right.

The Chicks have lost respect from many country fans, many country artists, and many people who had never heard of them. Maines’ vulgar t-shirt showed clearly that she learned very little from her statements, or doesn’t mind the loss of respect.

It will be amazing if Maines doesn’t once again slip up, make another foolish statement and cause her band grief from country music fans and her peers. These three women are very talented musicians, but they are losing quite a few would be fans with perceived anti-American antics. The Chicks are at a crossroads. They can make a stand and attempt to become a political and social force with their music, words and t-shirts to a select anti-American crowd. Or they can continue to be country superstars. If they choose the latter--time can heal this, if that’s what the Chicks want.

All they have to do is shut up and sing.

[Only1choice____Freedom]

Dixie Chicks ?

Wasn't there a band by that name?

[SwinneySwitch]

F.U.D.C.

[homeschool mama]

**Maines’ vulgar t-shirt showed clearly that she learned very little from her statements, or doesn’t mind the loss of respect. **

*vulgar* is an excellent term to describe Maines and those of her ilk.

[HEY4QDEMS]

[Pompah]

Much ado about nothing. IMHO.

[fightinJAG]

Wasn't there a band by that name?

I thought it was a brand of roasting chickens.

[Jewels1091]

I don't think time will help at our house...we got rid of all their music and don't plan to ever buy their music again. I think the true nature of this group has come out and I don't like it.

[ElectricStrawberry]

We have a warm welcome planned for them when they hit Boston next month.

[4mycountry]

Stupid dixie chucks.

>>>All they have to do is shut up and sing.

Aww, do they have to sing? Can't they just shut up and be done with it? IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?!?!
*sob* Make 'em go away....

[WellsFargo94]

As far as myself and my friends go, there is absolutely NOTHING that this band can ever do to have us listen to their music again.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Most of the people who have been going to their concerts bought their tickets prior to the SPEWING. At their Birmingham show you could buy $65.00 tickets for under $20.00. I would say that is a scalpers nightmare. Most of the tickets were being sold by the former fans. I think they have pretty much alienated 90% of their fan base and they're still digging. I'd like to see what ticket sales would be like now.

[fightinJAG]

Dissing the singer of the song that helped our POWs get through their ordeal was lower than whale poop.

[Hildy]

Even if you agree with The Dixie Chicks, Even if you hate our President and disagree about everything to do with the war, who can condone insulting a peer on national TV in such a crude and cowardly way. This just defies any explanation or logic.

[sam_paine]

F.U.F.B. == (F*&# You Natalie Maines)

[Hildy]

And I have to add, not JUST a peer, but a contender for the same award, which makes them look even more scummier. YUCK.

[Gasshog]

A Fool and her money are soon parted.

[fightinJAG]

Also the segment of a fan base that is motivated enough to buy tickets (or try to buy tickets) is not large enough to keep a group on top of the charts.

A group has to continue to appeal to those who like them "a lot," but are not "in love" with them in order to sell millions.

[sarasota]

What's the plan for Boston?

[tame]

That's it, Natalie, just keep diggin' it deeper...

[fightinJAG]

Natalie gets the 2003 Shovelhead Award, which I just created in her honor.

[Recovering_Democrat]

ARKANSAS FREEPERS:

Your Senator Blanche Lincoln is having a FUNDRAISER in which the DIXIE CHICKS are scheduled to perform! Just an FYI.

[FairWitness]

The DC's would have lost my support because of their recent remarks, except they already had lost it long ago when they sang their "hit", "Earl's Gotta Die".

FairWitness (whose name happens to be Earl!)

[Conspiracy Guy]

Yes they need to be prying for a crossover career. I doubt that will happen. Next CD and tour will be a bust.

[Conspiracy Guy]

prying = praying. I've got to start proofing this crap.

[fightinJAG]

If I'm not mistaken, Lincoln's fundraiser is going to be in Washington, D.C., though. In June.

I posted a thread on it a while back. Will have to see if I can find it.

[vollmond]

We can forgive a lot here on Free Republic, and even the Dixie Chicks had their shot. But mispelling a t-shirt message goes beyond the pale. Shouldn't that be F.Y.T.K.?

[fightinJAG]

I thought "prying" was very fitting.

[~Kim4VRWC's~]

Am so glad to hear that Toby Keith won the entertainer of the year award! It's about time justice be served to the dixie upchucks!

[tame]

Natalie gets the 2003 Shovelhead Award

For some reason her nose just bugs me. BLAAAAAHHH!

[Conspiracy Guy]

Sometimes we get lucky.

[Squantos]

When I was a deputy there was a joke going around about what over 1 million abused women and men had in common.......they didn't know when to shuthephucup !

Natalie Maines is that joke IMO.

Stay Safe Little-Gator !

[jalisco555]

I don't follow country music so I'm a little confused. Did Toby Keith say anything specific against the Dixies Chicks?
Why would Maines go out of her way to insult him? Keith can't be the only country music star to be outspoken in his support of the war and our troops.

[fightinJAG]

Just a little reminder of what Dubya had to say about all this (hee hee):

PRESIDENT SPEAKS ON DIXIE CHICKS' COMMENT
Country Weekly ^ | April 28, 2003 | President Bush


Posted on 04/29/2003 4:43 AM PDT by fightinJAG


PRESIDENT SPEAKS ON DIXIE CHICKS' COMMENT

As everyone most probably knows by now, there has been much controversy over a comment made by Natalie Maines from the Dixie Chicks about being ashamed that the president is from their home state of Texas.

In an interview with Tom Brokaw, President Bush spoke his mind about freedom of speech, using the incident as an example.

"The Dixie Chicks are free to speak their mind," said Bush. "They can say what they want to say. They shouldn't have their feelings hurt just because some people don't want to buy their records when they speak out. You know, freedom is a two-way street. But I don't really care what the Dixie Chicks said. I want to do what I think is right for the American people, and if some singers or Hollywood stars feel like speaking out, that's fine. That's the great thing about America. It stands in stark contrast to Iraq, by the way."

[fightinJAG]

I believe Natalie decried Toby's song as "extreme" and Toby said the Vichy Chix were "cowards" to say what they said while overseas as to opposed to, say, in Texas.

[billhilly]

Pluck the Dixie Chicks!

[Conspiracy Guy]

Oh I almost forgot my standard apology to the Pixie Twits.

Dear Girls,

I am so sorry that you suck. I am deeply sorry that you hate America. I am also sorry that you hate your fans and don't know when to shut your yap. In the future I will refrain form making fun of you, because it is just to easy. Please accept my apology in the manner it was intended.

Thanks

Flurry

[adaven]

Shouldn't that be F.Y.T.K.?

No, it should be F.U.K.T. ;-)

[fightinJAG]

And don't forget that we are deeply saddened. Also take that in the manner in which it was intended.

[evets]

After the (AMC awards) event, Keith appeared on the ABC late-night talk show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” The country singer explained why there is no love lost between Maines and him.

“She attacked me about nine months ago over the 'Angry American' song [“Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue”]. I took the high road for a little bit and then she didn't think that she got the fight, I think, that she wanted. So then she attacked our president on foreign soil and got the fight she wanted, I guess,” Keith said.

He suspects we’ll be hearing more hackneyed phrases from Maines. He predicted that “she's still not done. If y'all think she's done, you're crazy. Stuff comes out of her blowhole daily.”

The Left Coast Report keeps hoping that someone will find a way to cork it.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Little Tommie Dazhole on Bush Diplomacy:

"I'm deeply saddened, saddened I tell you, that Geroge W. Bush failed to teach the pigs to sing like the Beach Boys in the song "In my Room". I know that Bill or Al could have got those pigs in key with rich harmony. Heck after Bush was through the pigs sounded like the Dixie Chicks. This is a miserable failure and we should hang our heads in shame," quipped Little Tommy Dazhole.

[sharktrager]

It does go beyond just the song. He has specifically addressed the Dixie Chicks, and they have addressed him.

This is a long running fued, but Toby just won.

[tame]

I'm deeply saddened, saddened I tell you, that Geroge W. Bush failed to teach the pigs to sing like the Beach Boys in the song "In my Room".

OUCH! Please don't mention the Beach Boys in the same sentence as the Daschle Chimps!

[tame]

Judging by the looks of this thread, I don't think Freepers care much about the Dixie Chicks. It just raises the temp:-)

[Conspiracy Guy]

Heck I'm a huge Beach Boys fan. You can't beat their harmony. I wish they had done fewer surfing/car songs. But I still play their music frequently. In order to express extremes we must use hot and cold. They are not in the same league but may be mentioned in the same paragraph as mutually exclusive terms.

[headsonpikes]

Fascination with mere celebrity and celebrities is the least admirable characteristic of modern American life. That large numbers of people apparently give a rat's *ss about the uninformed opinions of an entertainer is a depressing thought.

From it flow so many unintended consequences - the devaluation of actual accomplishment being the first.

IMO.

[zip]

It will be amazing if Maines doesn’t once again slip up, make another foolish statement and cause her band grief from country music fans and her peers

I am not an apologist for Natalie Maines Pasdar but you have to understand where she is coming from. Her husband is Iranian (as is the ex of another DC) and one of her "best friends" is Sean Penn SO she lives and breathes this bs. All of her inner circle are libs/anti American/blame America Firsters and she thinks that this is the way everybody thinks. sad