This sounds a bit like Britney Spears' "Lucky" - only not as good
The Dixie Chicks have a new album coming out in May, Taking the Long Way. It is their first album since the pre-war unpleasantness. They have released the first single, which addresses that controversy. It's called "Not Ready to Make Nice."…








Article comments
426 - Al Barger
Now see Michael, this is just what I'm talking about when I say that Dixie Chicks fans tend to be a bunch of maroons, as Bugs Bunny would say. You don't seem to have the modest mental acuity to distinguish between politics and music, for starters.
It seems to be beyond you to even conceive that someone might dislike the Dixie Chicks because of their crappy music, or their crappy personal attitudes. No, the only reason why someone might object to the Dixie Chicks MUST be because they're on the other team politically.
This re-confirms my belief that Dixie Chicks fans mostly have no substantial knowledge, understanding or real interest in MUSIC. Y'all seem to operating on the level of loving them exactly and only because they really, really hate and publicly disrespect the president and anyone even partially supporting him.
Again, for the record, I am not nor have I ever been a Republican, nor have I EVER voted for ANYONE named Bush.
427 - michael
al,
before Natalie's comment in 2003, the Chicks won 7 grammys, 9 CMA awards and 5 ACM awards. they were the most popular female group in history. the right wing only turned on them after Natalie's statement. it was politics, no matter how you try to spin it.
428 - Al Barger
Michael, politics is certainly a big part of the Dixie Chicks fall from grace. It's the least of MY reasons personally, however, as I was never a fan.
But of course all these Grammy awards they just picked up were really, really all about politics, and not a damned thing to do with music - am I right or am I wrong?
But also, the former fans probably would not mostly describe it as politics, but as patriotism. It's not that Natalie didn't think the Iraq invasion was a good idea that got her in trouble, but the clear point of not being even a little bit a team player. Again, she is bewildered by the very concept of patriotism.
Also, their music sucked really hard to begin with, and they were nothing but corporate tools. So when these no-talent maroons started talking out their poop holes, the fickle public wasn't giving much up to toss them aside.
Whereas, if Dolly Parton had said the same things, even I would have probably cut her more slack. Of course, Dolly wouldn't say things as hateful and dumb as Natalie, so she'd never step in it that way. But the public would probably overlook a bit more from the author of "Jolene" than the authors of "Goodbye Earl."
429 - A Dixie Chicks Fan
Pop fans?!?!?!
You have heard of this band before, haven't you?
This is a country band that definitely plays country music. It always has been a country band, and while the new album isn't as traditional in its sound as previous ones, there is more "country" in this band than most any other contemporary country act out there.
"This re-confirms my belief that Dixie Chicks fans mostly have no substantial knowledge, understanding or real interest in MUSIC. Y'all seem to operating on the level of loving them exactly and only because they really, really hate and publicly disrespect the president and anyone even partially supporting him."
Please don't limit my love of this band based on the political beliefs of the Dixie Chicks. As said before, I loved this band long before politics became the focal point, and continues to do so now that it has.
And I HAD an interest in country music, mostly the contemporary country that was popular during the early and mid 90's. When I first became aware of the Dixie Chicks back in 1998 and saw the playfulness and spunk of the band, heard thier amazing and profound musical and vocal abilities, I became a Dixie Chicks fan.
But I continued to enjoy country music and thought of myself as a fan of the genre, but that changed after Natalie's comment. While I love and appreciate the sound of country music, I can no longer seem to enjoy it.
It just isn't the same anymore.
430 - michael
al,
you have been bashing the Chicks for almost a year. you are a prime example of of a mystery that the Chick fans do not understand. why does a person spend so much time on a group they do not like? it does not make sense. of course, a lot of what you say does not make any sense.
your mind is so closed that it would take jackhammer to open it up. debateing with you is like debateing with the living room wall, neither source is going to give me an intelligent responce.
goodbye
431 - Beansox
In bizarro world of dixie chicks and their fans it is perfectly acceptable to turn off an entire genre of music, bash its artist, and its fans, becuase of personal beliefs, but those that do the same towards the chicks are somehow infringing on their rights.
Can we just drop the pretnese already and call a spade a spade.
Its double speak based in lies and they are experts at it. Hypocrits to their core.
Radio is in the business to make money. If there was a huge outcry from listeners to hear the chicks, you can bet they would be played. But it is exactly the opposite. A 20% negative rating on a song or artist will get a radio station to pull it. The chicks are currently testing at abotu a 50% negative rating. Radio isnt in the business of alienting their consumer base. unlike the chicks, they know exactly who butters their bread.
Nobody plays the chicks music. Not even Adult Contemporary. But the chicks nor their fans waged a 4 year and counting campaign against AC. Of course not.
The entire controversy and the lies they followed to keep it a float and keep theri names in the news has been manufactured and contrived by the chicks themselves.
Its been a marketing pliy since day one.
Example: When all of this was at its peak, why is it that the video of her entire quote wasnt released? Why was it kept locked away until they could put out a "movie"? It would have quelched the fires that were burning at the time. Why? Because they wanted to be controversial and more importantly they wanted capitalize off that controversy. They wanted all of this so bad. They wanted it so bad that they went so far as the manufacture it.
Nobody is really buying the whole victim/champion gimmick they are pushing.
They are merely willing pawns prostituing their art out to polical party. Their next album will fare even worse than this one has. Its over for them.
432 - Beansox
"you have been bashing the Chicks for almost a year. you are a prime example of of a mystery that the Chick fans do not understand. why does a person spend so much time on a group they do not like? " Michael
And the chicsk have been bashing for over 4 years now. Country has made it pretty clear they dont want the chicks, yet the chicks continue to bring country" up everychance they get.
Everyone keeps waiting for the chicsk to find their integrity and move on from the genre they no claim to be, or as natalie stated, "never was".
This thread was about a song whos subject matter is a 4 year old manufactured comtroversy and you have the nerve to ask Al why he spends so much time on something he doesnt like? Are you kidding me? Are you so unapologetically blind in alliegence to a music group that you cant even see the hypocaricy of your own words? Are you kidding me?
433 - Al Barger
Dixie Chicks Fan [comment 429]- Yes, the Dixie Chicks are a POP group, and although I'm generally all in favor of the Beatles and the Monkees and such, in this case I mean "pop music" in the very worst possible corporate-whore use of the word. The DC came on as a "country" act, but from the beginning have made junky half-assed pop records with almost nothing to do with any rural music tradition, other than a little fiddle pasted on the top.
Shania Twain sounds pretty much like the DC stylistically, and she's nothing to do with country. Instructively, they've been known to simply delete the fiddles from her recordings and put them out in Europe as straight pop music. You could do the same with the Dixie Chicks, and not miss a beat.
Again, there's nothing wrong with not being country specifically, but they're not particularly anything else either. Musically and emotionally the Dixie Chicks and their recorded output are about a half inch deep.
Now, you may be a real nice person, but you're clearly ignorant {NOT to say stupid) on the topic of country music, if your idea of such things starts in the 1990s. Randy Travis and Reba are all well and good, but country music as a major creative force has mostly been pretty dead since around maybe 1980 or so.
Besides which, the commercial structure of the "country" music industry has long since been focused on musically illiterate suburbanites to such an extent that the rare truly worthwhile modern country act (Junior Brown or the Weary Boys) couldn't get played on country radio on a bet. If they played some serious Junior Brown honky tonk music back to back on the radio with some lame Garth Brooks, there'd be riots or something. Heck, they won't play Dolly Parton or Johnny Cash on commercial country radio at this point. The public appetite for real mountain music generated most of 10 million unit sales of the O Brother soundtrack just a few years ago - but pretty much totally without any airplay on supposed "country" radio.
If you still like Dixie Chicks records, that's certainly your right. It's a free country. But I urge you to reach out for some vintage Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn records, for starters, to expand your horizons.
One little thing to start on, you are encouraged to raid MY MP3 STASH. Dig some of that vintage Stringbean action. For something specifically new, try DRINK ON IT by the Weary Boys, from 2006.
434 - A Dixie Chicks Fan
Well, the 90's is when I first started listening to country music, and as said, it was mostly the contemporary music that did lean toward pop. As said, I am ignornant of traditional country music as too much "country" really isn't my taste.
But the Chicks brought those traditional instruments to forefront, combined a little contemporary country with traditional country and came up with the Dixie Chicks.
The Chicks are the ones who introduced me to and made me appreciate those instruments.
And no, you cannot just delete those instruments and retain the sound of the Dixie Chicks. They are too prevalent and prominent in the music. It is what makes their music, along with tight harmonies and Natalie's voice.
I do hope they don't stray too far away from that style in future undertakings though.
Many critics claimed the "Home" album was too country to be played on the radio, and "Long Time Gone" is a song critical of those country artists who are ignored on country radio because of their traditional sound.
Not Ready to Make Nice receives a good amount of airplay from some roots/Americana stations, as does other songs off the new album.
I do know of Junior Brown, well, at least I remember his videos. He is a talented musician who can do some quite amazing things instrumentally.
And I really don't see a resemblance between the Chicks' music and that of Shania.
Shania IS pop, along with Faith and Carrie and many others. Which is fine, as I've enjoyed Shania and Faith too. They are good vocalists, nowhere near Natalie, but I digress.
"Again, there's nothing wrong with not being country specifically, but they're not particularly anything else either."
They were country, but since it give them the boot, they are "genre-less" now.
But they will always be the Dixie Chicks! That is plenty enough for me.
435 - Sam Althaus
WHAT THE HELL IS UR PROBLEM?!?! Ur just arguing for the sake of arguing now! GET. OVER. IT!!! I agree with tim tho, americans really can be dumb... and ur proof... arguing over the Dixie Chicks when clearly they mean absolutely nothing to you. And the Dixie Chicks shouldnt have to apologise for what they believe in - otherwise id be saying to u to apologise for ur bullshit remarks. WHY THE HELL DO U CARE SO MUCH?! Nobody actually likes the president anyway (they were just saying what everybody else was thinking) and u know that... GET OVER IT!!
436 - DC/TK Fan
Well Hello Al!
I see you're still not short on words or people to play with!
Just stopped by to check out the 'new' but OLD news.
(S.O.S.)
Hope all is well w/ you despite our differences!
XOXOXO
Probably opening a can of worms but what are your thoughts on Chris Daughtry?
437 - Al Barger
DC/TK Fan! Doggone your Dixie-Chicks-lovin' hide, but I'm always happy to hear from you.
I have no particular opinion on Chris Daughtry. I had to look him up to find that he was an American Idol. I've never heard him, or didn't notice if I did. In short, I've never heard so much as one noteworthy song from anyone ever on American Idol. But maybe I just haven't paid enough attention.
Generally, I swear I'd rather listen to the Dixie Chicks than the American Idols. At least the DC have some personality, even if it's bad.
438 - DC/TK Fan
Well the only reason I began watching Idol was because my son was like "Can we pleeease Mom?"
(what we do for love)
Anyhow, I thought he had a very unique sound, not to mention he is easy on the eyes...hehe
and wound up enjoying hearing him sing. This became a weekly thing for my small family.
Not interested any longer.....too commercial! And it isn't really about a 'Singing Contest'
The guy who won, in my opinion. wasn't in the same class vocally as some of the others on the show.
It's all about voting, not singing!
But it was a time my son and I enjoyed together on his 'tween terms'.
I did buy his CD, DAUGHTRY and have really enjoyed it, in spite of the American Idol thing.
My son was turned off by last year's voting and winners, so no more Idol here! (there is a God)lol
Take care...
439 - sandra angelo
I thought the song was great. I didn't have any back ground of them at the time & I liked it very much. I would listen to it again & again & even my sisters started loughing at me, so I don't understand what u guys are saying
440 - Lynda
I just want to get my 2 cents worth in...I think Natalie,Martie,and Emily are awesome. I didn't realize what u all were going thru till I watched your movie...SHUT UP AND SING...It was so awesome...and your babies are georgous. Regarding my view on what Natalie said at Shepard's Bush...she was right on the money...This has got to be the worst president in the United States history. I'd be ashamed if he were from my state to...God Bless u girls..and keep up the good work..Love your latest..Not Ready To Make Nice...Sincerely,,Lynda from Illinois
441 - kati
[Personal attack deleted by Comments Editor]
honestly, I AM PROUD of the dixie chicks!
they're song "not ready to make nice" is AMAZING.
[Personal attack deleted by Comments Editor]
442 - Al Barger
Miss Kati- I used to think that the Dixie Chicks made bland commercial radio fodder appealing to the least discriminating of music fans, but your thoughtful argument gives me pause. Would so obviously intelligent and erudite a soul as you like moronic music? Perhaps I need to rethink my position.
443 - Cami Girl
republicans are idiots. end of story. case closed. you go Chickies!
444 - Mandy
What's your guys problems?? Its a good song! Just shut up and listen to it! You don't like it change the damn station!!
445 - :)
I think its a good song!
446 - Justsayin
I'd just like to say that I don't agree with what the lead singer had to say about Bush and America. I'm only 15 but I still KNOW that there's this thing called freedom of speech and all Americans have the right to say what they want. They shouldn't be shunned because of it. That just defeats the purpose of the Freedom of speech. Anyways at the end of Bush's presidency a lot of people weren't happy with him. I just think it's really ridiculous and it makes me mad.