Chicks to break with country scene

[Alex88]

The Dixie Chicks say they don't want to be a country music band any more.

Violinist Martie Maguire told Spiegel magazine: "We don't feel part of the country scene any longer, it can't be our home any more."

She said she was disappointed other country singers didn't back up the Dixie Chicks in their criticism of George W Bush's politics on Iraq.

"A few weeks ago, Merle Haggard said a couple of nice words about us, but that was it," Maguire complained.

"The support we got came from others, like Bruce Springsteen."

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_821707.html?menu=

[Aristus]

1. I'll always love you, Chicks!

Especially if you break with the C&W scene. Country SUCKS! And all those ultra-reich wing uber-patriot cowboah wannabees BLOW!

I LOVE THE DIXIE CHICKS!

[BadGimp]

2. I love Country Music but the Chicks are an inspiration

Sad that their fellow artists in the country scene saw fit to remain silent or worse after the Chicks exercised their first amendment rights.

Go Chicks!

[mac56]

3. Following the lead of kd lang -

Who became a bigger star than ever.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

4. No more country....

there are very few "artists" in the Country community that I have anything good to say about! Country is the Conservative balance to the Liberal Hollywood in the entertainment industry! Country Music as a whole is the music of the southern conservative "christian" bigot!

Besides they won 3 Grammy awards! They should not be disappointed about their losses at the CMA! There are no real awards in Country!

May Country sink like the Titantic!

[noonwitch]

5. I'm not a c/w fan...

But they have nice voices and can do crossover stuff. There is plenty of cross overs between c/w and rock, from Dylan to Lucinda Williams. They'll do just fine without all the white trash.

[Rose Siding]

6. Waylan, Willie and Dolly

have all said supportive things in snips I've seen. (on TV)

edit- I'm sure the negativity has outweighed anything positive, but I hope she hears about these others.

[trapper914]

33. Amazing that Waylon stood up for them....

...since he's been dead for a year and a half.

[Champion Jack]

7. A big part of country died last week

with the passing of the man in black...

[Enraged_Ape]

13. Johnny Cash was THE ONLY living country singer...

who walked the walk as well as he talked the talk. He truly was the "Man in Black", the man who radiated such spiritual strength that he towered over anyone else.

I don't blame the Chicks for disowning the Toby Keith / Darryl Worley contingent that represents country music today. To hell with 'em. The Chicks will prosper like never before because, unlike so many country acts today, THEY ACTUALLY HAVE TALENT.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

17. I agree with you about Johnny Cash! However....

when it comes to the Right wing, bigoted, xenophobic, nationalistic, hee haws, you have to add a few more people to that list with
Toby Keith and Darryl Worley (R-Propaganda Minister):

this would include:

Charlie Daniels (No explanation needed!!!)

Travis Tritt(Reich winger who promoted Dixie Chick Boycott!)
-he said that artists should keep their political views personal
however it was O.K for him to publicly support Bush and his little
war!

Clint Black(Reich winger who called war opponents ignorant!)

Lee Greenwood(right wing nationalist jackass! Hasbeen in the music world)

[mac56]

19. Don't forget Aaron Tippitt -

"Where The Stars And Stripes And The Eagle Flies"

[Enraged_Ape]

22. Thanx for the enhancement of my list

I think you could probably add just about any modern country act to this sordid list, with the possible exception of Alan Jackson. But Alan Jackson has never worn his populist / progressive feelings on his sleeve, unashamedly, like the Man in Black did. There's still hope, though.

[kid shelleen]

34. And Billy Bob Ray Cyrus

A 'moran' by anybody's yardstick.

[SammyWinstonJack]

18. There are alot of good CW artists

Alan Jackson George Strait George Jones Willie Nelson Merle Haggard Kenny Chesney just to name a few. Shouldn't let the Toby Keiths/Darrly Worleys spoil CW music for those who enjoy it. I don't. I am also a fan of the Dixie Chicks, always have been.

[Enraged_Ape]

24. I like Alan Jackson

Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard are also above reproach, but I would consider them to be in the "old guard", from a time when country music represented the feelings of the workin' Joe tryin' to make a decent life, regardless of who they were or the color of their skin.

What I miss so much about Johnny Cash is that he had such integrity. He really never cared what anyone thought about him, though he championed so many unpopular causes. This is opposed to today's country music acts, which are so heavily marketed to white male bigots.

[SammyWinstonJack]

29. Willie is playing Floor's Country Store in Helotes

just down the road from me, Oct 9th. Gonna be a sell out crowd. Can't wait to see him.

[booksenkatz]

8. I understand their pain

My Patsy Cline website has had a very successful following in the country community since 1998. The site got lots of attention in magazines, was featured last spring in Country Weekly, and was even linked on one of Patsy's CDs. BUT when some of the Patsy fans learned that I am stridently anti-war, my site and I got "Dixie Chicked." As a result, I've had to put the site into archive mode because I don't feel like spending time anymore doing favors for the rednecks. The site is no longer active or updated, it simply exists now to honor Patsy in silent tribute. It still gets about 2000 visitors daily, not bad for an inactive site. I was a mover and shaker trying to get things done for Patsy's legacy, but now I want *nothing* to do with those ignorant assholes.

Although I'm from Texas, I had never been exposed to the Chicks, had never given them a listen. Well, I bought some of their CDs just to show support for them, then found myself a huge fan of theirs. They're immensely talented in whatever genre they choose to pursue, and I will follow them wherever they go.

I think they're making the only decision they can make now.

[SammyWinstonJack]

28. Wow!

How could I forget to mention Pasty Cline. I love her music!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

9. What the hell they are more of an ALT country band anyway

There's lots of room in the world of music for them.

[MaineDem]

10. I really don't like country music

I bought the DC's latest CD mainly in support. I like it a great deal.

True fans will follow and new ones will appear.

[Ernesto]

11. Honestly

I couldn't tell you a thimg about their music. But suddenly, I'm interested in picking up a couple of of their CD's. Country music's "white trash" following has always turned me off.... GOOD LUCK CHICKS

[Enraged_Ape]

20. I'd never even heard the Chicks' music until the Bush comment

Then I went out and bought their latest album, and it led me to buy more. They are just highly talented musicians. And although I would describe their music as bluegrass more than country, their sound is really undefinable. It's just original American music that speaks to the heart.

BTW, I'm a die-hard Led Zeppelin / Pink Floyd guy with a side interest in power pop. And I love the Dixie Chicks.

[Rich Hunt]

26. honestly

Some people here are ignorant about "white trash", country music, and its audience. It isn't all big hat jingoists. In fact, country lost its way when it stopped being the poor people's music and became the soundtrack for people who can afford expensive trucks.

Just remember that your hatred of country music is not universal.

[tridim]

12. I'll take a bow

as I predicted this move the day the Chicks made their anti-Bush comment. Maybe they read DU and took my advice??

Leave it to Bush to divide the music world as well as everyone else in the World. "I'm a uniter, not a divider". Yea right, idiot.

[Terwilliger]

15. tridim

you know Jimmie JJ Walker is a big-time Republlican conservative, right?

[tridim]

16. No I didn't know that.

googling.

Edit: He's a Republican according to Bartcop, and Libertarian according to some other sites. Bye bye sig line...

[proud patriot]

14. We Love You Dixie Chicks

[Bragi]

21. Can't blame them one bit.

Can't say as I blame them. The right wing controls C&W recording industry, and the Bushites at Clear Communications control the C&W radio airwaves, so free speech for anyone even center-left comes at a very high price in the C&W world.

I noted last week, for example, that the Chicks weren't invited to the Johnny Cash tribute, despite the fact that they are probably closer to his political views than any C&W performers who were invited.

Anyway, I gather the chicks are taking a year-off for more baby production, after which they will rejoin the music world as just damn fine musicians and songsters.

Good for them. Their declaration exposes the right wing agenda of those who control the C&W scene, and speaks well of their commitment to free speech.

I hope it brings about some serious media inquiry into the political agenda of those who control the C&W industry, which I think will be news to lots of C&W fans.

I trust the chicks will be more popular than ever once they come back from further breeding and are no longer identified with C&W.

I also hope other crossover C&W performers are encouraged by the Chick's leadership and commitment to principles to make similar declarations.

- O

[PROGRESSIVE1]

32. You hit the nail right on the head Bragi!

The Country community is controlled by conservative idealouges!
The products that they put out are aimed at a right wing, conservative, bigoted audience!
Nothing populist about that!

[damnraddem]

23. Wonderful! I like the politics of the Dixie Chicks, but I won't listen ..

to country music, so I have no idea what their music is like.

[DemVet]

25. Agreed

[NicoleM]

31. You don't know what you're missing.

Good music is good music, whatever the genre. And the Chicks make really good music.

[The Backlash Cometh]

27. Wow!

I hope their dissenting voices cut a new path for country-lovers. As much as I may enjoy it, I can't listen to it for too long because it sounds like a vehicle for the depressed. Goodness, there are groups of people who have suffered far more and come up with more optimistic, uplifting music.

[SammyWinstonJack]

30. Like Bob Marley

[TreasonousBastard]

35. Good on 'em...

they were heavily crossover anyway, and a clean break will do them good. Did OK for Dolly and Willie.

They belong with Springsteen and the real Americans, not the rhinestone cowboys and crackpots of what passes for country these days. People who like them for the music, not just the stupid hats.

What's with Garth Brooks, btw?

Didn't he have nice things to say about the Chicks? Does his retirement have anything to do with the politics of country?

[ArkDem]

36. I'd have to hear this from another source. Anaova isn't

exactly reliable.