On March 10, 2003, at the Shepherd's Bush Empire theatre in London, England, Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks said the following: "Just so you know, we’re on the good side with y’all. We do not want this war, this violence, and we’re ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas." The crowd erupted in support. Ten days later, the United States military started dropping bombs on Iraq in the form of "shock and awe".
Little did the Dixie Chicks realize that the comments of Ms. Maines would set off another war. This war, however, would be waged in the U.S. by fair-weather fans, country/western radio stations, and other forms of mass media. Ms. Maines and the Dixie Chicks may have dropped the first bomb, but their new-found enemies would introduce them to a new form of "shock and awe".
The bombardment of the Dixie Chicks was relentless. Country/western radio stations across the nation systematically boycotted the Chicks' music at the request of many disgruntled fans. And what's more, many radio stations and other organizations held parties in which angry fans could burn or trash concert tickets, CDs, and Chicks' memorabilia. By the time the Chicks returned to the U.S. for the stateside portion of their tour, their remaining concerts were in jeopardy of being canceled or severely compromised. To add insult to injury, the American Red Cross refused a one million dollar donation from the Chicks.
In an attempt to lessen some of the "shock and awe", the Dixie Chicks, and Ms. Maines in particular, apologized to President Bush with the following statement: "As a concerned American citizen, I apologize to President Bush because my remark was disrespectful. I feel that whoever holds that office should be treated with the utmost respect. We are currently in Europe and witnessing a huge anti-American sentiment as a result of the perceived rush to war. 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. I love my country. I am a proud American" (emphasis added). However, the Chicks, to date, have refused to apologize to their former fans, radio stations, and the country/western establishment who turned their back on the Chicks.
Despite the disgruntled fans, boycotts, and death threats, the Chicks were able to finish their American tour to a number of sold-out crowds. However, the "shock and awe" and the resulting tension continued to mount. "On May 22, 2003, at the Academy of Country Music (ACM) awards ceremony in Las Vegas, there were boos when the group's nomination for Entertainer of the Year award was announced. However, the broadcast's host, Vince Gill, reminded the audience that everyone is entitled to freedom of speech. The Academy gave the award to Toby Keith, an outspoken critic of the group" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dixie_chicks#Political_controversy).
The damage was done, and the Chicks returned to the relative safety of their homes following the 2003 tour. The group had lost many fans, many country/western radio stations, the support of the country music industry, and perhaps an entire music genre. A fragile truce settled in bringing a halt to the war against the Dixie Chicks. In Iraq, war was still being waged and by the end of 2003, 486 U.S. soldiers were dead and 2,408 wounded.
The Chicks took a two-year break in order to rest and recuperate. During the vacation, one of the Chicks, Emily Robison, gave birth to beautiful twin girls. The time off also gave birth to a renewed spirit and sense of direction. The group decided to turn their back on the country music industry but not their love of country music. The Chicks hired Rick Rubin, an eclectic music producer, and temporarily moved to Los Angeles during 2005. What emerged from this unusual collaboration was a beautiful testament to the wonder of life an it's precious treasures. Their creation, Taking the Long Way, offers a variety of thought-provoking songs in a manner that is respectful, powerful, and ultimately true to themselves as artists. The album speaks truth to power and freedom.
In 2006, "Taking the Long Way debuted at number one on both the U.S. pop albums chart and the U.S. country albums chart, selling 526,000 copies in the first week (the year's second-best total for any country act) and making it a gold record within its first week." Taking the Long Way was the ninth best-selling album of 2006 in the U.S., and it won the 2007 Grammy for Best Album, Best Record, Best Song (Not Ready to Make Nice), and Best Country Album. And I wish the Chicks the best with their nominations for Video and Group Video of the Year on Country Music Television (CMT) on April 16, 2007.
The album includes a lullaby and songs about grandparents and the tragic loss of memory, the loss of loved ones, friends, hope, peace, and the importance of standing up for what you believe in. The album would not have been complete without Not Ready to Make Nice which reminds the public that the reactions to Ms. Maines' 2003 comment were not appropriate, and therefore, difficult to forget and/or forgive.
Here are the lyrics from Not Ready to Make Nice (Words and Music by Emily Robinson, Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines, Dan Wilson):
Forgive, sounds good. Forget, I'm not sure I could. They say time heals everything. But I'm still waiting. I'm through with doubt. There's nothing left for me to figure out. I've paid a price. And I'll keep paying. I'm not ready to make nice. I'm not ready to back down. I'm still mad as hell and I don't have time to go round and round and round. It's too late to make it right. I probably wouldn't if I could. Cause I'm mad as hell. Can't bring myself to do what it is you think I should. I know you said can't you just get over it. It turned my whole world around and I kind of like it. I made my bed and I sleep like a baby. With no regrets and I don't mind sayin' it's a sad sad story when a mother will teach her daughter that she ought to hate a perfect stranger. And how in the world can the words that I said send somebody so over the edge that they'd write me a letter sayin' that I better shut up and sing or my life will be over. I'm still mad as hell and I don't have time to go round and round and round. It's too late to make it right. I probably wouldn't if I could. Cause I'm mad as hell. Can't bring myself to do what it is you think I should. I'm not ready to make nice. I'm not ready to make nice. I'm not ready to back down. I'm still mad as hell and I don't have time to go round and round and round. It's too late to make it right. I probably wouldn't if I could. Cause I'm mad as hell. Can't bring myself to do what it is you think I should. Forgive sounds good. Forget I'm not sure I could. They say times heals everything. But I'm still waiting. (emphasis added)
Speaking of Shut Up and Sing, the Chicks released a film by the same name in February 2007, documenting their "controversial" statement, the inappropriate reactions, and the making of their new album, Taking the Long Way. The documentary closes with the Chicks "returning to the scene of the crime" at Shepherd's Bush Empire theatre in London, England in 2006. Natalie Maines tells the crowd that people have asked her what she planned to say in response to the infamous comment she made three years earlier. Ms. Maines boldly stated, "we’re still ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas." Once again, the crowd erupted in support. And in Iraq, the bombs are still dropping with 3,169 U.S. soldiers dead, 23,417 wounded and no end in sight.
Needless to say, the Dixie Chicks have a special place in my heart. Their courage is inspiring, and I wish them the best in the future. "Traitors, Dixie Sluts, Saddam's Angels, Hippies, Opinionated?"
I love you Dixie Chicks!!!
"Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." Thomas Jefferson.
