Dixie Chicks Backlash Hits "Home" On Albums Chart; Sales Down 42% This Week

MTV News via VH1.com ^ | March 26, 2003 | Joe D'Angelo

[L.N. Smithee]

50 Cent's Get Rich or Die Tryin' will top the Billboard albums chart for the fourth straight week after selling more than 234,000 copies, according to SoundScan figures released Wednesday (March 26). Of the album's seven-week chart life, it's led the pack for five of them, for a grand total of 3.5 million copies sold.

Both Norah Jones and R. Kelly will remain in their respective #2 and #3 spots from the week before. Sales of Jones' Come Away With Me, a chart fixture for over a year, were upwards of 175,000 copies, a depression of more than 67,000 from the week before. Kelly's Chocolate Factory also slid in sales, from 128,000 to 104,000 copies.

The disparaging remarks the Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines made about President George W. Bush in London two weeks ago ("Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas ..."), has hit Home, so to speak. In response to outrage from many Bush supporters, the country trio's songs were pulled from several radio stations' playlists, despite Maines' public explanation ("My comments were made in frustration ...") issued almost immediately after the news broke. The controversy took its toll at retail, as sales of Home fell by more than 42 percent, from 123,000 copies to 71,000. The LP, which has resided near the top of the chart for 30 weeks, will slide three spots to #7.

(Click link above for rest of article)

[L.N. Smithee]

As a lifetime lover of popular music, any satisfaction about the decline of the DixChix is counterbalanced by the fact that 50 Cent has captured the country's imagination, and, more importantly, that R. Kelly isn't a chart outcast after his pedophilic activity has become known again. Apparently, in a country in which a man who drugged and raped a 14-year-old wins an Academy Award and the Oscar-winning screenscribe of Chicago is penning a biopic honoring the architect of American perversion, Alfred Kinsey, it's no longer a big deal to cross the line into child rape anymore.

Norah's nice. But there are few real singers out there now. Good god, John Mayer's a star. Britney fails, but at least she tries.

[Use It Or Lose It]

Looks like the Dixie Pigs won't be bringin' home the bacon for a while. Oink.

[Bob J]

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[DD938]

Money Talks and BullSh** walks.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Down 42%.

This is better than a paid CNN/USA Today poll. Folks putting their money where their mouth is.

[eternity]

Talk about a good Freep!

[L.N. Smithee]

the Oscar-winning screenscribe of Chicago is penning a biopic honoring the architect of American perversion, Alfred Kinsey,

Oops, Bill Condon (Chicago) didn't win the Oscar this time round. Mea culpa. I quit watching after Eminem won -- I only saw one movie last year -- Attack of The Clones -- and it wasn't up for anything important.

(Personal to George Lucas: You're on a losing streak, pal. Episode III better be doggone good, or else the entire series will be deemed irrelevent. If Hayden Christiansen is anywhere near the set, he better be in heavy makeup playing a grotesque alien, a role that better fits his acting skills. What were you thinking?)

[pipecorp]

Easy, now. Get rid of the trash one piece at a time. By the way who are the 71,000 @ssholes that bought this stuff?

[octobersky]

Exactly! Looks as though all that FReeping we did paid off big time!

[TADSLOS]

That was one costly remark. I do believe it had a sobering effect on the hollyweird crowd during Oscar night. I'm sure that the outcry and boycott against the Chicks was in the back of their minds when debating on whether to step up to the mike and use it for their political purposes or keep quiet and conserve their bottom line. Not much was said there besides Michael Moore's spew, which was expected.

[Amore]

Yes, you make an excellent point. I'd be thrilled with the news except for those who replaced them at the top. Ugh.

[Petronski]

[Archie Bunker on steroids]

The Fonda Chicks are dead on country music radio and the CMA. That won't stop the Hollywood owned Grammys from electing them country group of the year from here to eternity.

[FITZ]

Too bad I never bought any of their music so I could quit buying it now. I don't even know what they sound like.

[Amazed1953]

Awwww, isn't that a shame. Maybe Natalie can make it in her new group.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

CMT TV is using a split screen with US Military
making remarks that are very good!

[FITZ]

That won't stop the Hollywood owned Grammys from electing them country group of the year from here to eternity.

They can give them all the grammys they want ---if they aren't selling or playing their music, they're history. Liberals can start listening to them if they want but liberals aren't traditionally country music fans, they tend to like bubble-gum music and sometimes rap.

[Petronski]

Not much was said there besides Michael Moore's spew, which was expected.

I've been struggling with a dilemma all week:

Michael Moore v. Colon Polyp

Moore....Polyp....Moore....Polyp....I can't decide which I detest less.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

They are VERY good -- at least their first album.

[Fraulein]

What? Who in the world is buying R. Kelly?

[octobersky]

And speaking of ,FReeping, there is an article in the Tuesday March 18 edition of the Cincinnati Enquirer that addresses this issue. If anyone missed the article and would like to read it, Click here.

[solo gringo]

That is still to high [42%] need to be a least [80%]then that will get them to thinking to keep thier salty remarks to them self.Don't mess with our president and don't mess with Texas.

[Archie Bunker on steroids]

They might not sell another record yet the left will still parade them at their Grammies to tell the world this is the best country music group.

[johnfl61]

Lets go for 100% of the Ditzy Chumps being boycotted!!

[FITZ]

But when the liberals get done remaking them, they'll have to be singing songs like "kumbaya" and other peacenik songs.

[freedumb2003]

God, if I hear one more leftist pundit state that airing of a particular group (in this case the AlJazeer Chix) or a program (ala Martin "I really am the president" Sheen) represents free speech (that is, the opposite of censorship) I am going to smack someone right in the mouth!

Free speech is a compact between the GOVERNMENT and INDIVIDUALS! No citizen can constitutionally "censor" another. Playlists on radio stations, editoral content boards on newspapers, NOT buying CDs or watching a TV program are CAPITALISM at work. Free speech has nothing to do with it. No governmental agency is attempting to supress anyone's right to exprss their opinion, no matter how immature, misinformed or wrongheaded.

If the idiot left is going to cite a "right" they at least should understand what a "right" IS.

SHEEZE!

[CFC__VRWC]

If the idiot left is going to cite a "right" they at least should understand what a "right" IS.

Oh, the Left knows full well what a "right" is, and they also know full well that lots of Americans don't, thanks to the Left's control of the government PC indoctrination centers schools. Thir misuse of the word "censorship", deliberately done so as to provoke a strong emotional response, is yet another consequence of our loss of the language to the propaganda masters of the Left.

[The_Media_never_lie]

The Dixie Chicks popularity is a Long time gone,
And it ain't coming back again.

[virgil]

Well, I look at it this way; the Chixs are entitled to their opinion and nobody is stopping them, but their audience is also entitled to an opinion. When they opened their mouths they were spitting in the wind. Celebs should stay out of politics unless they intend to give up their entertainment careers.

[lsee]

Okay, Petronski, you've got to see these funny commercials by the American Cancer Society! It's a bird. It's a plane. No, it's Polyp Man, and he's no superhero. Click to see commercials.

He's the villain in a series of public service announcements being sent out to television stations this week. Dressed in red tights and a bulbous red suit, Polyp Man runs from doctors in scenes reminiscent of "Cops" or "NYPD Blue."

Polyp man being dragged away by the doctors who caught him...Hey, he does sort've look like Moore...hmmmm.

[JeeperFreeper]

Colon polyp...Great line. LOL...LOL

[freedomlover]

It must really pain liberals to have to defend a group with "dixie" and "chicks" in their name.

[diode]

The DITSY SLITS

[freedumb2003]

yet another consequence of our loss of the language to the propaganda masters of the Left.

What is tragic and, yes, ironic, is that THEY keep accusing everyone who doesn't parrot their simplistic drivel as using Orwellian double-speak.

It never cases to amaze me that they (I check in at DU from time to time) can't see how the left basically stands for nothing except re-election and the easiest way to do that is to appeal to the masses who work the least and contribute the least.

It is all about re-election -- the liberal politicians are all loaded -- why try to use the system to grow capital when you can sqander it in the pursuit of pure, anadulterated POWER?

The saddest thing in the world is a middle-class liberal. These are the "useful idiots" of their own handlers.

[TXBlair]

As are so many others, this Texan is ashamed to share her home state with the Hippie Chicks. They certainly have seen plenty of cross-over success, but, duh, they seem to have forgotten the makeup of their loyal fanbase...you know, the country music lovers who are generally conservaive (and very supportive of our President). The Dixie Cups may not remember this, but we Texans sent a very popular incumbent governor (Miz Richards, if you're nasty) packing in order to make room for Dubya. Four years later, we handed him a 'landslide' reelection victory. Figure it out, ladies.

[shootist]

I hate to hear about Dixie Dips demised record sales.he,he,he

[uncitizen]

How is CMT handling the Chix dilemma?

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

They are not playing them.

[IncPen]

Today I read that the Dixie Chicks have announced they're through apologizing.

This is a tactical maneuver, to make them seem in control of the situation.

If you have a moment, read why it's a good idea to Keep up the FReep:

Why FReeping the sponsors of celebrities works...

[Coop]

Only 42%? We can do better. Everyone roll up your sleeves.

[lewislynn]

They are not playing them.

CMT?...They sure are.

[Spirited]

" I do believe it had a sobering effect on the hollyweird crowd during Oscar night"

I agree. I think it put a shot across their bow that had a cataclysmically palliative counter effect on their liberal/socialistic souls. I suspect it froze many a mouth
shut.

It is about time that something brought that crowd up short.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

I have not seen any!
And online CMT TV guide does not mention them.

[Cosmo]

love your keywords! "takeyourpick" --LOL!

[TDB3]

The funny part about all this is that I believe that
Natalie ( The Fat Dixie Chunk ) was probably going
to ditch her two fellow travelers sometime next year.
She needs them about like a fish needs a bicycle. As
it stands now they all three get to go down together.

Just so's you understand, I'm ashamed that the Dixie
Chunks are from the United States.

[TxBec]

check out .. www.nataliemaines.com

Sadly, those who shun the Dixie Chicks have become exactly what they say they are not: anti-American. By burning CDs and posters and throwing verbal stones at Maines, they are violating her most important right and the foundation of this country - her freedom of speech.

No one is violating her freedom of speech. We are exercising OURS.

[Contra]

They have a tour coming up in a few months, be interesting to see what attendance is like. Before "the comment" they were pre-selling tickets, but to buy them you had to pay to join their fan club first, and then and only then could you have a shot at buying tickets. Sale of fan club memberships and tour tickets would be an interesting measure of whether this boycott thing will last for a while or not.

[ladyinred]

Going down?

[OperationFreedom]

When I read your post I laughed for sheer joy!

[OperationFreedom]

They are BUSTED! And I love it.