Chook Me!

Why have the Dixie Chicks become such a tabou topic amongst answerers?

when i think of country i think of folk music and rock music coming together i grew up with bluegrass and grew to love the dixie chicks because they crossed over into pop culture mindy smith would be my second choice for best country artist because she is also on the bridge between folk + rock! it's nice to know your perspective i'm sure toby + reba are happy to have such loyal fans

Public Comments

1. Communist, they do not deserve to live in the U.S.
2. Dixie chicks bridging country and rock!?!? No way... The old country stars did that better and didn't suck. Notebly Hank Williams jr, Johnny Cash, etc
3. because i would never think of them the way yuo do. country is not rock music, and the dixie chicks lost their fans when they insulted reba mcentire by saying they did not want their fans to be the people who listned to toby and reba. so that is when they lost thier fans/ personally, i never really liked them. and thought the lead singer sounded awful. but i never hated them until they insulted reba and her fans.
4. unfortunatly,the dixie chicks ruined their popularty by voicing their political veiws.they should have just sung their songs and kept their yaps shut about politics. but now they are labeled as un-American, and country music is very patriotic in their roots.
5. I feel fairly confident that the majority of people that have turned their backs on support for the Dixie Chicks as a group and recognizing them in country music stems from an ill fated statement from the mouth of Natalie Maines at a a venue in which they performed in the UK on the heels of the initial invasion of Iraq. The UK had just demonstrated a huge anti war demonstration within their country in protest of the involvement. Natalie proclaimed that they were ashamed that the President of the United States was from Texas. (she didn't say "she" she said "we" insinuating the group as a whole agreed with her) Regardless, the statement was met with applause by the UK concert attendees and it made the news. Unfortunately the group as a whole suffered for her antics and instead of Natalie issuing an apology, she (in classic natalie opinionated style) stood by her statement along with lambasting other country artists singing and writing abilities, namely Toby Keith and then Reba MacEntire ad then country music fans as a whole. This did nothing to save grace for the group and many americans (rightfully so) were outraged that she would make such a statement on foreign soil against her country and president. While many american citizens may not approve of the president or his politics, the majority of US citizens were apalled that she would use such a forum to express her personal perceptions in a setting where she was, in essence, representing the american public in a roundabout way. It was further aggravated by the fact that Toby reacted in retribution publicly on stage in his concerts with photoshoped photos of natalie with (I personally can't remember if it was Saddam or Osama). Natalie Maines took it even further and wore a shirt at the CMA awards that had the initials FUTK on it. It was well known what the inference was and eventually Toby said it was time to fold in the cards and let it be. He wasn't playing the game any longer. On top of all this, Natalie continued to not back down, apologize or even hint that she could have been wrong. The country music media pulled their music from the air and the general public backed the decision by no longer continuing to buy their music and even went so far as to destroy what music of theirs that they did own. She had insulted the american public and the country music fans as a whole. I feel sorry for the other girls in the band whose careers were affected by Natalies inability to think beyond her own selfish concerns. While I have always thought the girls were talented (though I was never prompted to purchase their music) I became much more aware of Natalie Maines character and personality through the course of events and can honestly say that her behavior has left a bad enough taste in my mouth that I don't think I will ever be able to look at her with any respect and unfortunately, that holds true for her music now also. Sorry about going on in length but it really isnt an answer I can fairly give in a few sentences. Natalie and the group have decided to move on to another genre in hopes of being accepted and allowed to continue their music careers. They seem to be fairing well overseas and in Canada but they are pretty much outcasts in there own home and yet, Natalie still refuses to make apologies and is content with snubbing her nose in the face of country music fans. I am still somewhat miffed and confused as to how they managed a nomination in the country music category for the cma's this year when they have themselves said that they have walked away from the country music genre. The only thing they have going in their favor is the fact that the CMA awards are not fan based votes and if they were to win it is going to give the wrong message to country music fans that are not aware of that fact. Some may be under the misrepresentation that they have been welcomed back into the country music fan base that they chose to turn their backs on. I don't mean that as any disrespect to fans of the girls, as I said, I do believe that they were talented but I dont think they deserve to be recognized by a genre that they spit on. That is only a personal perspective though, it was a little tough to answer this and be completely objective...lol
6. Many people (including myself) are very unhappy with the dixie chicks because of their stand on the war. There are very few country artists who are against the war. However they do have alot of good songs and they have started playing of few of them on the radio again. So I guess time heals all things.
7. For me personally, I do not have a problem with what Natalie said. She is as much entitled to her opinion on the war and on our president as anyone else. The reason that I will no longer tolerate having their music played in my home, is because of where and when she said it. You do not bad mouth your country on foriegn soil during war time.....That's not having an opinion that is called treason!
8. I agree!!! Everyone got offended because they spoke their minds and had there own opinions. They are mad at them because they are not your music robots. Since when did the "Freedom of Speech" dissolve from our constitution? And, as far as saying that it was wrong for them to say it on "foreign soil" is B.S. Has everyone forgotten that the British are in Iraq and Afghanistan fighting along with our soldiers. England is our most prominent ally.
9. I have to agree with Kathleen and jo.rogers72. Keep in mind 1 thing about most country music fans tend to be some of the most patriotic individuals in the U.S. Also, did you know that because of Natalie's mouth, the Dixie Chicks almost broke up? Everyone has the right to speak their opinion, I'm all for it. Sometimes it is also good to take into account is if you are in the entertainment industry, thinking about what, where, and how you say things, is probably a good idea if you want to keep your fans. Jane Fonda anyone? She has the right to speak her mind, I have the right to choose to not listen to them anymore.
10. Another thing to remember is that the Dixie Chicks have publicly said that they no longer want to be associated with country music. Even after that, however, the garnered a number of awards for their last album and that ticked a lot of country fans off. As for me personally, while I believe in letting bygones be bygones and in the Freedom of Speech, there is a limit as to what a person can take. I am a veteran, and hearing her berate Toby Keith for a song, that at the time was felt strongly for by many Americans and military members (Angry American aka Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue), was just the wrong words at the wrong time. I do realize that she later apologized for things, but it was years down the road and to me it was too little too late.
11. I realize this will be as effective as pissing in the wind, but it never ceases to amaze me when people claim to be patriotic while at the same time insisting that a fellow American doesn't have the right to free speech. I'm not particularly a fan of the Dixie Chicks, but I will stand with them on this issue. THAT IS PATRIOTISM. P.S. - to "dad for five" you ought to try researching the history of country music. Songs about murder predate the Peer sessions of 1927. They have been in the repertoire of a large number of the biggest stars in the history of the genre.
12. i like the dixie chicks, i like reba and i like toby. travelin' soldier is a song i like and so is the angry american......... they ought to be able to speak their minds without repercussions, but it shows that in america, we really don't have freedom of speech. if i think mexicans should not be invading my town......i'm called a racist. if i think homosexuality is a perversion........i'm homophobic and intolerant. it's been proven, if you do not believe what folks will have you believe, you get the label.....
13. Because even before that Maines idiot ran her mouth, they STILL were not worth mentioning. When you reach the point where you write and preform a song about killing some sob, even if he deserves it, then you have no business in Country Music.
14. Just to point out Dad for Five seems to be a little misinformed about country music and killing I seem to remember Johnny Cash singing about killing a man just to watch him die in "Folsom Prison Blues", Garth Brooks hinted at killing an abusive husband in the concert version of "The Thunder Rolls" , Martina Mcbride's "Independence Day" implies a beaten woman burning her house down with her and the abuser in it (although Martina herself says that she doesn't think the wife dies", Reba McEntire remade "Night the Lights Went out In Georgia" where the cheating spouse and the adultering friend both are offed by a vengeful little sis......country music is full of murderous plans! And I happen to like the Dixie Chick, and Reba, and Toby Keith. And I think everyone should be allowed an opinion, regardless of where it is said, and I think people should be allowed to disagree with it. I do not think people should be allowed to voice threats of death because they disagree. And this is coming from a girl from the Hometown of George W.
15. I happen to like the Dixie Chicks music.
16. Um the answerer forbes is completely off and ridiculous.
17. Hope they weren't thinking saying they no longer wanted to be associated with country music was going to broaden their fan base any. Ruffling the political feathers they have did nothing favorable for them either.
18. I will not bother to try to answer as it is evident that everyone has a totally different opinion on the subject.
19. They got to emotional on stage just after singing the song "Traveling Solider" and at that moment overcome with pity for the little girl in the song and seeing themselves in that same place(or someone they knew) A statement was made saying how much they hated war and death and that maybe the president maybe could have done something else other than going to war. And they were embarrassed in public of that choose, and that they hated to say something like that about someone from their own state. Meaning that people didn't think that way where they came from. But what was said got blow all out of proportion and the media just feed on the story, to be able to sell more newspapers! The Chicks didn't deserve this kind of treatment nobody does!