Radio stations drop Dixie Chicks

[Cornholio 0]

Anyone else see this and have an opionion? Read it and then I'll give you mine at the bottom:

By Jon Herskovitz, Reuters

There are a lot worse things in country music than your wife leaving you or your dog dying. There's stations not playing your music because you done gone and said some things against the president. Music superstars the Dixie Chicks are finding out that criticizing President Bush's plans for war in Iraq can cost you air play, big time.

COUNTRY STATIONS ACROSS the United States have pulled the Chicks from playlists following reports that lead singer Natalie Maines said in a concert in London earlier this week that she was "ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."

Station managers said their decisions were prompted by calls from irate listeners who thought criticism of the president was unpatriotic.

The group, which got its start in Texas, was one of the darlings of this year's Grammy Awards. The three-woman band that blends blue grass and pop hooks has spawned legions of fans who embrace the ideals of strong women celebrated in some of the trio's songs.

On Friday Maines said she was sorry for her comment.

"As a concerned American citizen, I apologize to President Bush because my remark was disrespectful," the singer said in a statement. "I feel that whoever holds that office should be treated with the utmost respect."

Maines said the group is "witnessing a huge anti-American sentiment as a result of the perceived rush to war" while on tour in Europe.

"While war may remain a viable option, as a mother, I just want to see every possible alternative exhausted before children and American soldiers' lives are lost," she said. "I love my country. I am a proud American."

Maines' contrite statement is in contrast to her comments on Thursday, when she 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."

OFF THE AIR
One station in Kansas City, Missouri held a Dixie "chicken toss" party Friday morning, where Chick critics were encouraged to dump the group's tapes, CDs and concert tickets into trash cans.

Houston country station KILT pulled the band's records from its playlist -- at least temporarily -- after 77 percent of people polled on its Web site said they supported the move.


"We've got them off the air for right now," said Jeff Garrison, program director at KILT, which is owned by Viacom's Infinity Broadcasting Corp.

"People are shocked. They cannot believe Texas' own have attacked the state and the president," Garrison said.

Lead singer Maines said in a statement she felt the president was ignoring the opinions of many in the United States and alienating the rest of the world by pushing for war with Iraq.

"We've been overseas for several weeks and have been reading and following the news accounts of our government's position. The anti-American sentiment that has unfolded here is astounding," Maines said.

One of the country stations in Dallas that helped champion the Chicks when they were scraping by in that city playing gigs on street corners for tips, "99.5 The Wolf," said they are listening to the listener's views but do not think it is right to immediately jump on the bandwagon and stop playing the Chicks, said program director Paul Williams.

TOUCHED A NERVE
Williams said it is too early to tell how strong a backlash may develop against the Chicks. He said the comments touched a deep nerve in Texas because they came from one of the biggest country groups to come out of the state and were directed at a president who calls Texas home.

"The listener outlash is probably bigger here than anywhere else," William said.

The Chicks have the number one country album in the United States on the Billboard charts called "Home" and the No. 1 single with "Travelin' Soldier", which is about a U.S. soldier who fought in Vietnam.

The Dixie Chicks will launch a U.S. tour on May 1 in Greenville, S.C. The group's other hits include "Wide Open Spaces," "Ready to Run" and "Landslide."Additional reporting by Carey Gillam in Kansas City and Matt Dailey in Houston.

-----------------

Ok, IMO, this is bullshit. I don't care where the president comes from, but I do care about free speech. True, the chicks are allowed to express themselves, but having radio stations around the country remove them from their playlist.... this is just wrong. I mean she was just expressing her opinion regarding the war and her opinion of the president. Honestly - I feel similar. I support our troops, but not necessariily those views that our president has.

What think you ?

Butthead: Whoa! Burritos for breakfast!
Beavis: Yeah! Yeah! Cool!
bellyflier on the dz.com hybrid record jump

[PhillyKev 0]

The radio stations also have the freedom not to play them. That's voicing their opinions.

On the other hand...I couldn't find a country station if you threatened me with attack by plague infested prairie dogs...

[quatorze 1]

Just me still believing that the right to swing my fist ends where your nose begins, but I can still swing my
fist

Quote

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

I'm not afriad of dying, I'm afraid of never really living- Erin Engle

[AggieDave 6]

Radio stations are privately controlled enterprises, if they disagree or their listeners disagree with the views of a band, then that is their choice to quit playing their music.

You'll also find that a larger majority of country music fans, especially those in the Texas (and the south), tend to have more right of center beliefs, so that makes a difference as well.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Brains 2]

First of all, i enjoy the chicks music. I do not agree with natalie's statement, but, i think she has the right to state her opinion. Was it the right thing to say? Only she can say for sure. Was it the best career move? Probably not.

Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you.

[Cornholio 0]

Quote

The radio stations also have the freedom not to play them. That's voicing their opinions.

You are correct. That is the beauty of free speech. Personally, I dislilke country music, so whether they are the Dixie Chicks or Slayer or Green Day really has no bearing on my opinion. I just think it's wrong for someone to voice their opinion and then BAN then from their stations.

Butthead: Whoa! Burritos for breakfast!
Beavis: Yeah! Yeah! Cool!
bellyflier on the dz.com hybrid record jump

[billvon 2,380]

>I mean she was just expressing her opinion regarding the war
>and her opinion of the president.

And she has every right to do that - but then again the radio station has every right to express _themselves_ however they want, and that might include playing them a lot or not playing them at all.

Of course, this works both ways. If you tolerate that sort of behavior from a radio station, you have to tolerate the same sort of anti-american antics so popular with extremists, like flag burning, defacing pictures of the president etc. even if it pisses people off.

[Guest]

Quote

Ok, IMO, this is bullshit. I don't care where the president comes from, but I do care about free speech. True, the chicks are allowed to express themselves, but having radio stations around the country remove them from their playlist.... this is just wrong. I mean she was just expressing her opinion regarding the war and her opinion of the president. Honestly - I feel similar. I support our troops, but not necessariily those views that our president has.

What think you ?

Two facts overlooked: Actions have consequences, and words mean things.

Two things guaranteed to generate controversy: Politics and Religion.

The Chicks have a right to their opinions, and the consumers of their products have a right to theirs.

The most effective way for disgruntled consumers to let producers know they're unhappy is to put their money where their mouth is.

A lot of people in show business have very inflated opinions of themselves and their importance in the scheme of things. Some of them are finding out the hard way that they're wrong.

I'm not in show biz, but if I was, I'd keep my mouth shut on political and/or religious matters, and use my art (music, film, etc.) to express it instead.

I've quit going to movies, because I'm sick of paying for a political education every time I walk into a theater.

Wonder what they'd say if they were from Tennessee and Al Gore was leading this charge?

"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat."

[lummy 4]

Yeah Matt, I'd have to agree with everone here, while She had the right to make that statement, the radio stations equally have a right to play what they want.
Now if the FCC came down and told the radio stations not to play the Dixie Chicks, that'd be a different story..

I promise not to TP Davis under canopy.. I promise not to TP Davis under canopy.. eat sushi, get smoochieTTK#1

[quatorze 1]

one other thing

Quote

Missouri held a Dixie "chicken toss" party Friday morning, where Chick critics were encouraged to dump the group's tapes, CDs and concert tickets into trash cans.

NO FUGGING WAY!!! I am not a hug DC fan but Amy is and for her birthday in may I bought 2 tix to see them, for almost $200 bones, throw away or burn them, you gotsta be kidding me

I'm not afriad of dying, I'm afraid of never really living- Erin Engle

[Jib 0]

Quote

A lot of people in show business have very inflated opinions of themselves and their importance in the scheme of things. Some of them are finding out the hard way that they're wrong.

Amen

--------------------------------------------------
the depth of his depravity sickens me.
-- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt

[rgoper 0]

i am a hugh DC fan. their music is awesome. Natalie Maines spoke against a cause and person which she dissagreed with, just because it was ol' Wyatt shouldn't matter. it's not her fault he can't see iraq is not tombstone arizona and there ain't a stinking OK corral for miles. it was not the most intelligent career move she's ever made, she'll survive it. she made a public apology, but you can bet your boots, if her professional life didn't depend on it, she would say, and probably is saying (to herself) fu*k him! i will not hold it against her, in fact, i respect her for doing it. that said, it does however shed a bad light on the americans in general, whatever happened to the first ammendment? no matter what she said, she had a right to say it without being attacked in any shape, form or fashion. after all, this is one of the things our forefathers fought for. i'll go out on a limb right now and forecast that a majority of americans will be joining her in 30 days, or less or maybe right after he ask congress to give him 100 billion dollars for the war effort and rebuild post sadaam iraq. the same people who are screaming for vengeance, will be the same ones who can't see the light of day right now. ol' Wyatt's approval rating will drop like an anvil in the atlantic. i still say he's the "village idiot" glad i don't have a recording contract. i'd love to have an opportunity to have an open debate with ol' Wyatt. al-queda to iraq since 09/11 i'm awestruck. who will be our next adversary?
Russia?
Germany?
France?
China?
North Korea?
hell, ol' Wyatt can "take em all on" at once, with one arm tied behind his back. just keep on giving up the $$$

--Richard--
"We Will Not Be Shaken By Thugs, And Terroist"

[pop 0]

One less sucky music group on the radio. That's a win.

7 ounce wonders, music and dogs that are not into beer

[Jib 0]

Quote

whatever happened to the first ammendment? no matter what she said, she had a right to say it without being attacked in any shape, form or fashion. after all, this is one of the things our forefathers fought for.

The right is to be able to say what you want, not be shielded from the repercussions thereof. The same 1st Amendment protects people when they refuse to support someone who takes a position diametrically opposed to theirs, when they challenge those statements or withdraw financial support.

--------------------------------------------------
the depth of his depravity sickens me.
-- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt

[jraf 0]

I think war protesters, jews, catholics, homosexuals, single mothers and all not Southern Baptist decent folks, should be horded onto trains and sent to concentration camps. There they should be gassed and fat should be extrated from their bodies and made into soap for our brave troops in the Middle East.

The skin can be used for lamp shades.

jraf

Me Jungleman! Me have large Babalui.
Muff #3275

[lummy 4]

Quote

There they should be gassed and fat should be extrated from their bodies and made into soap for our brave troops in the Middle East.

I just can NOT beleive you said that!!!!! Do you have ANY idea what you just said???





The gassing would make the skins too brittle and they'd fall apart after only a few days..


Sheesh, some people

I promise not to TP Davis under canopy.. I promise not to TP Davis under canopy.. eat sushi, get smoochieTTK#1

[MC208B 0]

they suck anyway!

[Jimbo 0]

Quote

I think war protesters, jews, catholics, homosexuals, single mothers and all not Southern Baptist decent folks, should be horded onto trains and sent to concentration camps. There they should be gassed and fat should be extrated from their bodies and made into soap for our brave troops in the Middle East.

You forgot the French!

-
Jim

"Like" - The modern day comma
Good bye, my friends. You are missed.

[Genie 0]

Y'know this is kinda like whats happening around the world right now. Everyone has the right to free speech (ok huge generalisaton there deliberately) as long as it agrees with America.

When they dont they're pussies, users, cowards etc..

its a pity that the right to free speech doesnt include a right to have people actually listen to what you say and evaluate it in a reasonable fashion.

Without being smart here, what she said is actually accurate - it does *seem* that Mr Bush is ignoring world opinion, and american opinion, and it is causing an anti-american feeling.

I dont know if he is ignoring the opinion, or whether he is listening to it, and saying "sorrybut we still have to do this, there are things we know that we cant make public and those are the reasons we *have* to do this now... "

Someone else said that Mr Putin (Russia) has said that there will be "serious consequences" if the US invades Iraq... werent these the same words used by Mr Bush re Sadaam not disarming?

BTW im sitting up to see what Mr Bush has to say at 1am my time and im watching CNN - whats with the Showdown with Sadaam Logo in the back, that looks like a Casino Ad ??

Genie

[sunman 0]

The radio station has the right to play or not play whatever music they want, but it was still a pretty shitty thing to do. So whenever I hear something I don't agree with, I should stick my fingers in my ears and go "la la la la la". Very immature. I'm sure HH disagrees with what a lot of dz.com users post here, but he doesn't block them from posting just because they have a different viewpoint.

[seedy 0]

Quote

its a pity that the right to free speech doesnt include a right to have people actually listen to what you say and evaluate it in a reasonable fashion.

You gotta be kidding!

I intend to live forever -- so far, so good.

[bill2 0]

Y'know this is kinda like whats happening around the world right now. Everyone has the right to free speech (ok huge generalisaton there deliberately) as long as it agrees with America. When they dont they're pussies, users, cowards etc.. its a pity that the right to free speech doesnt include a right to have people actually listen to what you say and evaluate it in a reasonable fashion.
________________________
I respect her right to say those things, but I'd respect her more if she had the guts to say it here in America, not sucking up to the crowd in London. If she really believes that then should not apologize for it, if she doesn't believe it then she should have never said it in the first place.

[rhino 0]

They sucked anyways...

[Genie 0]

________________________
I respect her right to say those things, but I'd respect her more if she had the guts to say it here in America, not sucking up to the crowd in London. If she really believes that then should not apologize for it, if she doesn't believe it then she should have never said it in the first place.

[Nevets 0]

If you are a celebrity you DO have the right to say whatever you like. However, if you own a radio station you ALSO have the right to play(or not play) whatever you like. I think its great that one of these celebrities got slapped with the consequences of their words.