When Maines made her comment on March 10 2003, 10 days before Operation Iraqi Freedom unleashed “shock and awe” over Baghdad, the Dixie Chicks were probably the biggest act in country music. Yet within days, their music vanished from the charts and the airwaves, apoplectic rednecks crushed piles of their CDs with tractors, and the FBI was feverishly monitoring death threats against the trio. It was the most heinous pop-star outrage since Ozzy Osbourne urinated on the Alamo. “The reaction was as if Natalie had said ‘Death to the President’ or something,” says violinist and vocalist Maguire. “It was the bullying and the scare factor,” shudders banjo and guitar player Robison. “It was like the McCarthy days, and it was almost like the country was unrecognisable.”
Oh, come on! If the country is unrecognizable for some reason, I can say with certainty that it has nothing to do with the Dixie Chicks. Does this say anything about what these childish girls think of themselves? Seriously, are we talking “McCarthyism, as it applies to the Dixie Chicks?” (I think Matt Leinart took that course at USC!)
The Chicks can’t hide their disgust at the lack of support they received from other country performers. “A lot of artists cashed in on being against what we said or what we stood for because that was promoting their career, which was a horrible thing to do,” says Robison. “A lot of pandering started going on, and you’d see soldiers and the American flag in every video. It became a sickening display of ultra-patriotism.”
Yeah, because it wasn’t about the soldiers that are dying for your right to talk negatively about what they are doing. It was because they wanted to steal some of your fame.
“The entire country may disagree with me, but I don’t understand the necessity for patriotism,” Maines resumes, through gritted teeth. “Why do you have to be a patriot? About what? This land is our land? Why? You can like where you live and like your life, but as for loving the whole country… I don’t see why people care about patriotism.”
I’ve heard that once upon a time they were going to be called the Dixie Chickens, but they shortened their name to the “Chicks” instead. That would have suited them much better. It really saddens me, too, that they are having trouble selling concert tickets (ala Dick Yarbrough):
It is with a heavy heart that I tell you the Dixie Chicks concert tour is sucking wind. Reports say the airheads are having trouble selling tickets to their upcoming concert tour, which includes an appearance in Atlanta. It seems sales are far below expectations, and industry sources say several dates may be cancelled or postponed. This, in spite of the fact that the left-leaning media keeps trying to make them out to be heroes. Entertainers are allowed to express their political opinions, but we are allowed to vote on those opinions with our pocketbook. Looks like we are the winners and the Chicks are the losers on this one. Yee-haw!
And, for good measure:
The members of embattled country trio the DIXIE CHICKS have discovered they have legions of gay and lesbian fans after speaking out against US President GEORGE W BUSH at a 2003 concert in London.
The girl group was targeted by patriotic Americans who were offended by singer NATALIE MAINES’ comments about her shame that she came from the same state, Texas, as the US leader.
But while the trio lost many country music fans, who staged record-stomping protests and banned the group from their radio stations, they gained a gay army of people who appreciated the outspoken stance the girls took – and then refused to back down.
In an interview with America’s leading gay magazine The Advocate, Maines says, “We do think we have more liberals and more gay men behind us. We have a gay hairdresser and gay make-up artist who are with us every single day, so they fill us in.” And bandmate EMILY ROBISON admits she notices more lesbians at their shows, because they’re normally smitten by bandmate and sister MARTIE MAGUIRE.
Robison explains, “They’re usually on Martie’s side. We always tease her that she gets all the lesbians.”
That, along with this magazine cover, and I’d wager a bet that it is more than just the war issues that find you lacking support from other country music performers. Perhaps it is that none of them can identify with the way the Chicks have sold their soul for fame and money. Neither can I and, perhaps needless to say, I won’t be buying an album or a ticket anytime soon.
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