So....Are the Dixie Chicks getting airplay on MSM Radio?

[Armstead]

I have to admit I don;t listen to mainstream music stations much.

Just wondering if those who do listen have heard the Dixie Chicks being played? After all they do have a Number One album. Hard to ignore that.

[Aiptasia]

1. I'm assuming

Since their song "Not Ready To Make Nice" is also the #1 Country single in the nation.

[LilyLibber]

2. As of right now, no...

at least not here in Florida. I work in radio here, and so far the consensus (locally, at least) seems to be that the country music program directors are playing it "safe" and ignoring the Dixie Chicks new album (I'm generally not a country fan, but I LOVE the new single!!!). They say that "focus groups and polls" show that country radio listeners overwhelmingly support a ban (the ones who bother with polls, anyway), and I know at least one PD who is morally opposed himself. However, I can't speak to how long this will last, since the album is kicking royal ass, and national sentiment is obviously changing...I guess the whole 32% backwash listens to mainstream country radio. :P

[Armstead]

8. I guess it's only the 32 percent backwsh

Logic would assume that among country music fans there are more than a few who simply enjoy that kind of music without being Bushbots.

But according to what you say, I guess country fans are a monolithic bunch.

[LilyLibber]

11. I didn't mean to imply...

that ALL country fans are like that - I don't want to impugn the character of folks who simply enjoy a certain kind of music. That's unfair, and I apologize if I came off like that. But, the poll numbers and focus group results do bear out that the people who participated in them overwhelmingly supported the ban. Of course, the poll numbers and focus group results all depend on who you ask, and what kind of sample you've got...but that's another thread. :-)

[Skidmore]

14. What will they do if a call on a request line asks for one of the songs to

be played? Chew them out and say we're boycotting? What if there is a large group calling in requesting to listen to the songs from this album?

[LilyLibber]

16. This is just a guess...

but, I think that nothing would change UNLESS a massive oncoming hit to the corporate wallet was perceived. I hope people do it, though. Make 'em sweat.

[Buzz Clik]

3. Mainstream radio? As in broadcast?

I wouldn't know about that. However, you can hear them on Sirius.

[derby378]

4. Their album is #1 on Billboard

They don't need no stinkin' airplay.

[LilyLibber]

5. You're right!

And the fact that they got to #1 on the charts without radio airplay has got to be scaring the hell out of country radio programmers who are trying to remain relevant. My guess is that when the next single comes out (because "Not Ready to Make Nice" is so obviously about the Bush incident, and the programmers are not brave enough to back that one), they'll be all over it, hopping back on the bandwagon with a "we've been here all along" attitude.

[derby378]

10. ClearChannel execs are probably soiling themselves right now...

They were some of the biggest cheerleaders for the boycott - gotta support the President and our troops, and that means dropping the Dixie Chicks like a bag full of depleted uranium. Boy oh boy, are they gonna miss out on some cash...

[VolcanoJen]

13. As the Chicks pointed out in their interview with Larry King yesterday...

... Clear Channel owns MANY concert venues across America, and had no difficulty booking the Chicks sold-out tour at their venues, during the supposed "boycott."

Martie made it a point to say that Clear Channel "has no problem making money off the Dixie Chicks."

[LilyLibber]

17. Damn, I love them.

Way to call out Clear Channel - that's awesome! :applause:

[Armstead]

7. I'm mainly curious about whether the charts are pushing programmers

They obviously don't need airplay, but it'd be hard to justify ignoring a Number one record from a strictly business standpoint

[goddess40]

15. Even without much air play the single got to 36 in the charts

"Not Ready to Make Nice," came out in March and stalled at No. 36 on Billboard's country songs chart. It did slightly better on the adult contemporary singles chart, peaking at No. 32.
http://ap.washingtontimes.com/dynamic/stories/M/MUSIC_DIXIE_CHICKS?SITE=DCTMS&SECTION=HOME

[lectrobyte]

6. nobody listens to msm radio much. I'm lucky enough to live in a

town with great college radio, but other than that, it's all Clear Channel crap. Imus has been playing them on his show, though, if that matters.

[Booster]

9. I heard it on the radio in the San Diego area and was floored.

That area is or was very Repug.

[LilyLibber]

12. Cool.

Which reminds me of something - the Chicks may actually get airplay on some of the braver adult contemporary stations. It'd be a good compromise for mainstream radio - "Well, no, we weren't playing them on our country stations, but they did get some play on our 'hits of the 80's, 90's and today' station. So can we make money off them now?"

[Booster]

20. That's a good point. If the other stations are paying attention, they

could actually pick up some new listeners; people who don't normally like or listen to a country station, but who would like the music of the Chicks and who probably totally support what they stand for. If none of the stations play the number 1 CD on the air, they are really missing a great opportunity to pick up people like us.

[Kali]

22. pshaw

KXCI - Tucson's community radio (read: hippy station) was playing them WAY before they got popular.

Get hip go to kxci.org and stream sometime. Tuesday nights are "Twanging Tuesday" - old, new and alt country all evening.

[maxrandb]

18. If the #1 Album on both the Country and Billboard Charts

is not getting airplay...I'd guess it'd be safe to assume that Corporate Radio has an agenda.

Can't their shareholders sue?

[quiller4]

19. Dixie Chicks are getting airplay on Seattle stations. n/t

++

[Initech]

21. I dont know, havent listened to mainstream radio in years.

In fact, I dont think I've turned it on a single time since the boy band / Britney Spears craze in 1999/2000.