Chicks Rule
I never watch the Grammy awards. I couldn't tell you who half the artists are that are recognized on the show, but last night I tuned in to watch the Dixie Chicks perform and was thrilled with what I witnessed.
After long last, the Dixie Chicks were celebrated, not only their talents, but for their defiant stand to support America's freedom of speech. I have long said the American public (more specifically country music) owed the Chicks an apology. Last night, receiving all five of the awards they were nominated for, including the incredibly ironic Best Country Album, the Dixie Chicks stood proud for the fight they fought for all of us, the right to speak your mind. As I tuned in to my standard country music station this morning, I wasn't at all shocked to find no mention whatsoever of the Chicks' accomplishment last evening, it is now par for the course, but I didn't find it difficult at all to turn off the station and turn on my "Taking the Long Way" Dixie Chicks CD. The Chicks don't owe it to anyone to "make nice", they've done us all proud. It's time country music owed up to it's hypocrisy by not only apologizing, but by playing music regardless of personal political beliefs. It is, afterall, the American thing to do.
After long last, the Dixie Chicks were celebrated, not only their talents, but for their defiant stand to support America's freedom of speech. I have long said the American public (more specifically country music) owed the Chicks an apology. Last night, receiving all five of the awards they were nominated for, including the incredibly ironic Best Country Album, the Dixie Chicks stood proud for the fight they fought for all of us, the right to speak your mind. As I tuned in to my standard country music station this morning, I wasn't at all shocked to find no mention whatsoever of the Chicks' accomplishment last evening, it is now par for the course, but I didn't find it difficult at all to turn off the station and turn on my "Taking the Long Way" Dixie Chicks CD. The Chicks don't owe it to anyone to "make nice", they've done us all proud. It's time country music owed up to it's hypocrisy by not only apologizing, but by playing music regardless of personal political beliefs. It is, afterall, the American thing to do.
It is, by the way, okay if you disagree with this post.
That is, ironically the whole point of the matter.
That is, ironically the whole point of the matter.
Comments
I think the Dixie Chicks rock.
I'm not a Dixie Chicks fan. I don't think they were ever the victims of censorship. No one suggested legally preventing them from sharing their political opinion. But fans who were put off by it decided, understandably, not to support it with their dollars. And radio stations, responding to that feeling (and fearing, I'm sure, a loss of revenue), often chose not to play their songs.
Freedom of speech doesn't guarantee freedom from the consequences of that speech. Music consumers were exercising their freedoms, as well. And, as you say, that is the point.
Though I don't agree with their message, I do applaud the DC for sticking in there through all of the hubbub. I'm not sure I would have (thin skin and all that.) They clearly have the courage of their convictions. :)
They only spoke for themselves. They actually said, "Just so you know, WE are embarrassed our president is from Texas." They only spoke their own mind.
Katrina,
I agree. My issues are with the stations who blatantly refused to play Chicks music. If individual people don't want to listen to it, they didn't have to buy the albums. I had issue with country music saying the Chicks were unAmerican, and playing Toby Keith and other "Let's go to war!" songs (of which, there were several) and saying the Chicks were to be completely banned. I can make up my own mind, I don't need the station to make it up for me. I completely agree that you live with the consequences of your actions and they have done it with grace and style.
Psquared, I don't know the other artists well at all, but I didn't mean to imply I thought the Chicks deserved album of the year. I just liked to see them recognized was all.
p2
PS - I really love the Dixie Chicks new album and think it's their best ever! I'm hoping that thier fall from the top gave them time to enjoy thier little ones in a way that wouldn't have been possible before. Good comes from all sources. Jules in MI
Basically it is nearly universal among those that vote for award recipients love to give awards to those who bash America and/or the current administration. We see it at the Oscars. We see it with the Nobel Peace prize.
Basically, a group of people who happen to be in a position to vote on this agree with the Dixie Chicks' message and voted on that basis alone. It had nothing to do with their album or talent. Therefore it is meaningless. These award cermonies should have a category for who has the political message they agree with most and leave the rest of the awards to be based only on the music.
By the way, you will see the same tired path of voting motivation when Al Gore's "Inconvenient Truth" gets an Oscar tomorrow night. Nothing to do with the talent, quality and skill of the movie. Just a vote that says "We agree with your message, Al". Again, meaningless.
A premeditated outcome does not equal vindication. If I were the Chicks I would have been embarrassed to receive all those awards knowing they were for the wrong reason disguised as the right reason.
You are exactly right. The award means nothing, and I and I'm sure the Dixie Chicks recognize that. I'm not attributing deep meaning to a Grammy award. But, I do agree that the vote was to say "We agree with you" and THAT is exactly the point that should be made. Just as with Gore's documentary, I think it is important that the message gets into the spotlight and that people begin to draw attention to these matters.
I don't, however, believe the Chicks were at all "embarrasssed" as you suggest, I think they were excited to finally receive the necessary balance for the people who had previously stopped listening to them based on their political views and NOT on their actual talent. The award could not be more appropriate.
While I disagree, this statement has a good logical point regarding the balance. I used to play the game of not watching or listening to people that made high profile statements I disagreed with. Now I just shake my head about their statements (that are usually based in ignorance) and enjoy their talent if they have any.
As for Gore, in the next 5-10 years we will see that the catestrophic man-made global warming that he preaches will be shown to be a farce. It is a naturally occuring warming cycle that the earth has gone through many times.