Dixie Chicks- Blacklisted or Just Consequences?
So recently I saw the video for the Dixie Chicks new single "Not Ready to Make Nice" and man can I say the message was very clear. They are still ticked over the back lash of Natalie Maine's comments about Bush. Off topic, She reminded me of Lizzie Borden at one point in the video, in the victorian dress with black ribbon coming out of her hands, but anyway. To me the message of all "you Bush lovers suck" and "we just stated our views" was very evident. Then I am reading Mark Lee's (of 3rd Day) blog and he was a little upset that country radio stations aren't playing the Dixie Chicks new material.
First, let me just say that I respect Mark Lee and we just have a difference of opinion. So know one read any more than that into this post. Second, let me say that I don't believe in corporate boycotting but let us look beyond that.
So one issue here is the radio issue. Most of the people I see talking about this preface their opinion with "I don't listen to country radio". Well, then country radio probably doesn't take your opinion into consideration. I know that around here people called into stations to get the Dixie Chicks pulled from rotation and radio stations are about keeping their listening audience. Have country listeners changed their minds? Well, I think it is hard to tell. A lot of the people who don't listen to country radio all say that they are buying a copy and the Dixie Chicks are a big crossover artist onto other charts and are played on VH1. I think country radio stations are just playing it safe. If their listeners want it they will request it.
As far as the complaints that their music is being judged by their feelings. Well, there is so much to say I will try to keep it limited. Natalie Maine said this from the stage at a concert. Why are we expected so seperate the music from their words? I think Mark Lee is a little naive if he thinks his stated views doesn't effect the audience of Third Day. If that was the case how effective would the worship be at a Third Day concert be? Also it is very clear that one influences the other. This isn't like acting, where some crazy actor is reading someone else's words. The creation of music is personal and that is one of the reasons it is so personal to the listener and can even influence a relationship with Christ. Is my choosing to support only certain artist wrong? If so, since I enjoy pictures should I be expected to buy Playboy? I am sure that they have wonderful photographers and a quality product. But in reality I don't respect the MESSAGE of the product and that counts as much as the QUALITY. That is why all the quality collaborators on the new Dixie Chicks album, Taking The Long Way
, doesn't compell me to buy it. Well, I suppose that was more than my 2 cents but in for a penny, in for a pound;).
But oh no. It's not going to be played. Not today. Not ever. Why? Because they spoke their mind. Do I agree with them? No. But that's way beside the point. The way they're being treated is downright wrong. Let's all hop in a time machine and go back to the 1950's and relive the glory days of McCarthy and cronyism and blacklists. Good job country radio!
First, let me just say that I respect Mark Lee and we just have a difference of opinion. So know one read any more than that into this post. Second, let me say that I don't believe in corporate boycotting but let us look beyond that.
So one issue here is the radio issue. Most of the people I see talking about this preface their opinion with "I don't listen to country radio". Well, then country radio probably doesn't take your opinion into consideration. I know that around here people called into stations to get the Dixie Chicks pulled from rotation and radio stations are about keeping their listening audience. Have country listeners changed their minds? Well, I think it is hard to tell. A lot of the people who don't listen to country radio all say that they are buying a copy and the Dixie Chicks are a big crossover artist onto other charts and are played on VH1. I think country radio stations are just playing it safe. If their listeners want it they will request it.
As far as the complaints that their music is being judged by their feelings. Well, there is so much to say I will try to keep it limited. Natalie Maine said this from the stage at a concert. Why are we expected so seperate the music from their words? I think Mark Lee is a little naive if he thinks his stated views doesn't effect the audience of Third Day. If that was the case how effective would the worship be at a Third Day concert be? Also it is very clear that one influences the other. This isn't like acting, where some crazy actor is reading someone else's words. The creation of music is personal and that is one of the reasons it is so personal to the listener and can even influence a relationship with Christ. Is my choosing to support only certain artist wrong? If so, since I enjoy pictures should I be expected to buy Playboy? I am sure that they have wonderful photographers and a quality product. But in reality I don't respect the MESSAGE of the product and that counts as much as the QUALITY. That is why all the quality collaborators on the new Dixie Chicks album, Taking The Long Way
, doesn't compell me to buy it. Well, I suppose that was more than my 2 cents but in for a penny, in for a pound;).
posted by NerdMom at
3:30 PM
3 Comments:
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By
Hale, at 8:05 PM
I believe very strongly in letting your money vote for you.
Apparently lots of country music fans (which I am not) believe in the same thing.
If you are in the spotlight, and you open your mouth about ANYTHING, there will be consequences, great or small.
They misjudged their audience, and they misjudged how great the consequences of their words would be.
Those three ladies are entitled to their opinion, just like everybody else in this country, for which I am quite thankful.
Every one who is subjected to those ladies opinions is entitled to their own opinion.
They want to be able to say whatever they want, and not have anybody bad mouth them for their opinion. There is a lesson to be learned, which they are completely missing. Not too surprising based on their politics, as I see most people of that ilk have the same problem recognizing a simple truth....
Dixie Chicks: You can't have it both ways!
If you open your mouth in a way that offends people, expect to have those people offend you.
By
Hale, at 8:10 PM
Both you, mom, and hale seem to be more even handed than most stuff I read on US blogs. Only, writing from Australia, I can't get over the big deal made about things like this in the US which calls itself the land of the free and has free speech written into its constitution. A big issue in Australia has been the refusal of our Prime Minister to apologise to Aboriginal people over the stealing of Aboriginal children in previous generations by government officials. He has refused. It has been a very big issue but most people who think an apology should be fortchcoming realise that hell will freeze over before our PM apologises. Anyway in 2000 it was a very top item on the national agenda. At the closing ceremony of the Olympc Games in Sydney, Midnight Oil - one of Australia's most famous bands - performed and wore suits with the word 'Sorry' written across their jackets - and of course this was in front of the Prime Minister. Now I can't help wondering what would have happened to The Oils in the U.S. based on what we hear happening there - changing the name of French Fries, etc. Yet The Oils weren't pilloried - not even by the Prime Minister. I haven't met the Australian yet who likes George W Bush or would trust him. Although the Prime Minister seems to be his best friend in the Pacific. Can't people just acknowledge that there are two sides. No one has to listen. No one has to buy the records. And how is one side to know that history will not only prove them wrong - but very wrong indeed. Nixon supported McCarthy and who, amongst Republicans, would like to admit supporting either of them. Everyone has their opinion - but history has its say. It is amazing that as we on the outside can see the US may be starting to go down the Vietnam track - entrenched in a war which will not be resolved in the way first envisaged and protests at home growing - a lot of people in the US can't see it. Bush and his policies and his cronies are crippling the U.S. This is so sad. A strong, positive, co-operative and creative U.S. in international affairs would be a desirable thing. Not a bullying, insular, mammon-worshipping nation seeking to impose its will, right or wrong, on the rest of the world.
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Unknown, at 9:29 PM
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