Dixie Chicks Remark Irks Country Fans

AP/Herald Tribune.com ^ | Mar 14 03

[veronica]

The Dixie Chicks are drawing harsh words from country music fans for remarks singer Natalie Maines made about President George W. Bush during a recent performance in London.

Maines told the audience earlier this week, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."

Angry phone calls flooded Nashville radio station WKDF-FM on Thursday, some calling for a boycott of the Texas trio's music.

The group released a statement Thursday saying they have been overseas for several weeks and "the anti-American sentiment that has unfolded here is astounding. While we support our troops, there is nothing more frightening than the notion of going to war with Iraq and the prospect of all the innocent lives that will be lost."

In a separate statement Thursday, Maines said, "I feel the president is ignoring the opinion of many in the U.S. and alienating the rest of the world. My comments were made in frustration, and one of the privileges of being an American is you are free to voice your own point of view."

The Dixie Chicks will kick off a U.S. tour in support of their multi-platinum album "Home" on May 1 in Greenville, South Carolina. The group's hits include "Wide Open Spaces," "Ready to Run" and "Landslide."

[Pharmboy]

Can't get into their official website. IMUS went after them good this AM...said she had some talent, but with an 80 IQ!

[mewzilla]

Laura Inghram made the point on Imus this morning that Maines waited to say this until after their U.S. concert tour was sold out. And that Maines said this in London and not Dallas. Maines is a real profile in courage, ain't she?

[wimpycat]

Somebody's gonna get booed in Greenville, South Carolina, and it ain't gonna be President Bush.

[theDentist]

So their attempt to quell the criticism was just as insulting and short-sighted as the original comment.

Nothing more than fuel for the fire.

[prisoner6]

"Irk" Isnp;t the word. I was going to take my wife to the conert here in PIttsburgh in June. Not now! We also are donating her TDC cd's to the library or to someone who >would< have bought them.

Of course I sent emails to TDC via Columbia/Sony explaining our actions and expressing our outrage.

FWIW I think this is the email... feedback@sonymusic.com

prisoner6

[ewing]

I really couldn't guess which is the hate America first one in the group..(sarcasm on)

[MizSterious]

"...one of the privileges of being an American is you are free to voice your own point of view..."

And another of the privileges of being an American is that those of us who don't like your opinion can speak out against it--and quit buying your cds for good measure.

The Dixie Pigs seem to think only celebs should air their views--evidently the rest of us should shut up and keep buying whatever they sell. They really need a clue.

[sirchtruth]

My comments were made in frustration, and one of the privileges of being an American is you are free to voice your own point of view."

Yes, that is true Ms. However you're gonna find out that you also have a responsibilty for those views!

I hope the country music fans boycott the living Shinola out of you and your music!

Which BTW is good, but you just made the biggest marketing blunder of your life!

[Bikers4Bush]

Sold out concerts is one thing. Whether it's well attended or anyone buys mechandise now that's another story.

[AmericanVictory]

Looks like they'll have to go into a different genre where anti-Americanism is rampant, rap perhaps. They could sing about "hos" and "killing". Whoops, I forgot, they're against killing. Well, maybe they can do Hollywood ballads with Babs. She's about their class, or lack thereof.

[mr.pink]

I'm hoping everyone still goes the concerts, whoop it up during the opening act....then when the DCs come on stage, walk out in mass.

[NittanyLion]

I was on here the other night saying these comments wouldn't affect the Dixie Chicks' status one bit. After reading about all the station boycotts and hearing Imus slam them this morning, I have to admit I was way off. There's certainly a backlash here that I didn't see coming.

[gulfcoast6]

Engaged mouth before engaging brain and it is going to cost them big time.

[Gaelic]

Is Baghdad Babs going to be on stage with them?

[mewzilla]

LOL. Another FReeper, apologies to said since I forget his/her handle, called them the Blixie Chicks on another thread. I thought that was pretty good, too.

[bvw]

There's a thinking man!

[mewzilla]

Well, folks can always ask for their money back. I would.

[rintense]

I am willing to bet that Maines did not speak for the other two.

[JohnnyZ]

They could sing about "hos" and "killing". Whoops, I forgot, they're against killing.

I guess you haven't heard their "Earl" song . . .

[MizSterious]

Wish I could take credit, but my hubby started calling them the Dixie Pigs this weekend. ;)

[KellyAdmirer]

Maines clearly is the one with the big mouth, in more ways than one.

[ATCNavyRetiree]

Everyone: Rename 'em: BLIXIE CHICKS!!
Maybe it'll stick!!

[fight_truth_decay]

Vote CMT 2003 Flameworthy Music Awards..Fans Pick the Winners!

Make your voices heard!

[the Deejay]

Hi, Miz!

The Dixie Pigs have never gotten a cent of my money and won't!

[veronica]

I have to admit I don't know one from the other. Which one is the culprit?

[Jimmyclyde]

Looks like they'll have to go into a different genre where anti-Americanism is rampant, rap perhaps. They could sing about "hos" and "killing". Whoops, I forgot, they're against killing.

Well they don't sing about "hos" but they do sing about killing.

"Earl had to die."

I guess in their little world beating your girlfriend is cause for death, but killing thousands, raping women and invading other countries is ok.

Dumba@s....

[Redcloak]

The Chicks reflect upon their recent foray into politics...

[mad puppy]

"My comments were made in frustration, and one of the privileges of being an American is you are free to voice your own point of view."

Yep. But what about the rarely talked about 'responsibilities' of being an American? One of those is taking the heat for what comes flying out of your mouth. The D. Chicks did such a great job with the Super Bowl anthem and have really been on a roll lately. This is just the type of show-stopper comment that will turn the fans away. It's got me pissed off and I'm a big fan.

[azhenfud]

If I only had a ticket to one of those concerts. I rise to my feet at their appearance - and turn my back to them, then gladly walk out.

[Tall_Texan]

Sounds like they're angling for a movie deal...

[Jimmyclyde]

The one wearing the multi-colored tent to cover her fatness.

[sinkspur]

There's certainly a backlash here that I didn't see coming.

The DCs got started here in Dallas, and they're getting skewered on talk radio around here. Mark Davis, one of their biggest fans, says they've cooked their goose by dragging Texas into their anti-war remarks.

This was truly an Alec Baldwin moment that may ring the necsk of the Chicks.

[kcvl]

Email received from Lipton...

Thanks so much for writing!

We are writing in response to your comments regarding our sponsorship of the Dixie Chicks, "Top of the World Tour". We certainly apologize and are grateful you have chosen to share your thoughts.

As a manufacturer we feel it is a major responsibility to provide our friends and consumers with the most creative and entertaining means of sponsorship possible.

We have a long history of presenting "tasteful" advertising, promotional, and sponsorship efforts to the public. We certainly do not wish to offend anyone. In developing our promotional efforts, Unilever and its agencies may not always anticipate all possible implications of a specific campaign.

We will certainly forward your comments to the Marketing staff. Consumer comments are very important and evaluated on a regular basis.

We do thank you for your interest!

Your friends at Unilever Bestfoods North America

www.lipton.com

[yankeedeerslayer]

How about Chixie Dix

[T Lady]

That's it in a nutshell!

...Perhaps TicketMaster should provide a insta-refund clause for concertgoers--nah, they'd go out business.

-Regards, T.

[ewing]

Its the huge one in the middle naturally.

[SouthernFreebird]

LOL!

[prairiebreeze]

Well I had been thinking of renaming them to the "Dixie Twits". "Blixie Twits" or "Blixie Chicks" works too.

Prairie

[fight_truth_decay]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/863263/posts

Prior Post: Dixie C's Flame on Foreign Soil

[veronica]

Isn't she married to a Hollywood actor?

[taxcontrol]

.....one of the privileges of being an American is you are free to voice your own point of view."

---

And I will do so by not purchasing any of their records.

[the Deejay]

Glad I only buy Luzianne Tea.

[COBOL2Java]

Heard Liberal Idiot Bill Press this morning on WMAL. He remarked how "proud" he is of the Dixie Chicks, and how they are his new favorite group. I thought about calling in and telling him that pretty soon he'll be able to buy their CDs at the $2.99 bin at K-Mart, but I was low on Maalox this morning, so I just turned my radio off.

[eyespysomething]

if she did, they won't admit it now!

[Mad Dawgg]

"Well I had been thinking of renaming them to the "Dixie Twits". "Blixie Twits" or "Blixie Chicks" works too."

I like all those names but "Vichy Chicks" is still my favorite!

[Mr_Magoo]

Can U say "Rotten Tomatos"?

[AppyPappy]

She need to pour herself a long tall glass of Shutthehellup.

[T Lady]

Oop, I meant out of business.

[MizSterious]

"The one wearing the multi-colored tent to cover her fatness."

No wonder she doesn't Iraq bombed--if her Iraqi "tent boutique" got hit, she'd have to find a new tentmaker.