Important: Dixie Chicks update!

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » September 22, 2003, 6:38 pm

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_821707.html?menu=

Chicks to break with country scene

The Dixie Chicks say they don't want to be a country music band any more.

Violinist Martie Maguire told Spiegel magazine: "We don't feel part of the country scene any longer, it can't be our home any more."

She said she was disappointed other country singers didn't back up the Dixie Chicks in their criticism of George W Bush's politics on Iraq.

"A few weeks ago, Merle Haggard said a couple of nice words about us, but that was it," Maguire complained.

"The support we got came from others, like Bruce Springsteen."

Going home empty-handed from the Country Awards ceremony also made them decide to break with the scene, Maguire said.

"Instead, we won three Grammys against much stronger competition.

"So we now consider ourselves part of the big Rock 'n' Roll family."

Pretty sad that a band thinks they can just change their sound overnnight because of a political issue, but at least they are trying to get out of the intolerant and racist country music industry for greener pastures. Funny how not showing support for a president who's about as anti "workin' man" that he could possibly be would get you such disparaging treatment in nashville.

Nice diss on the country awards though. Much stronger competition haha.

masteen · Post by **masteen** » September 22, 2003, 6:50 pm

The sad part is that they do real country (bluegrass, ect.) a LOT better than pretty much any other band out there. They've been gaining a bigger mainstream audience with every album, even though they have a couple old school hoe-down tunes on them. Quality musicianship and good live performances can't be held down by the perceptions of rednecks.

Nilaman · Post by **Nilaman** » September 22, 2003, 8:11 pm

Well how fucking stupid do you have to be to go up in front of a large crowd, being labled as pro-US by long time occupation, and then going up and saying the crap they did?

They should have seen it comming, I am not going to say all country fans are rednecks but they should have expected the phone calls and the backhand they got.

And Kyo, please, tell me on how the country music industry is racist. Yeah stop slinging mud.

Marbus · Post by **Marbus** » September 22, 2003, 11:11 pm

Was kind of unsure about that comment myself... No flame, would just like to hear why you feel that way.

Marb

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » September 23, 2003, 12:27 am

Marbus wrote:... No flame, would just like to hear why you feel that way.

Because Country music has roots in the South therefore it MUST be racist!

Raistin · Post by **Raistin** » September 23, 2003, 12:40 am

They are white and based in the US. Of course they are racist

Adex_Xeda · Post by **Adex_Xeda** » September 23, 2003, 1:14 am

They need a humbling dose of obscurity.

Nilaman · Post by **Nilaman** » September 23, 2003, 2:08 am

Adex_Xeda wrote:They need a humbling dose of obscurity.

Are you talking about the Dixie Chicks?

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » September 23, 2003, 2:30 am

when was the last time you saw a black country singer with a big nashville record deal?

I'll give you a hint, it was 1966.

blacks represent almost 5% of the country music listeners in america and have what amounts to 0% representation. given that country music has its roots in r&b and blues don't you find that a little odd? it's not that there are no black country or bluegrass acts because there are. a ton of nashville recording artists (johnny cash, steve earle) have said that no black acts would ever be signed in nashville because the record companies fear the backlash from their audience who are primarily rural white trash.

but it was just an offhand statement regardless. I'm sure the anti-kyoukan brainless troll brigade will turn this into a 10 pager.

Fallanthas · Post by **Fallanthas** » September 23, 2003, 2:41 am

What's interesting is that one black country singer sold more albums than any other, except Elvis Presley.

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » September 23, 2003, 3:47 am

garth brooks is black?

Brotha · Post by **Brotha** » September 23, 2003, 4:23 am

kyoukan wrote:blacks represent almost 5% of the country music listeners in america and have what amounts to 0% representation.

That has to be the most ridiculous excuse for logic I've ever seen.

Something like 50 percent of the hip hop audience is not black, and how many non black rappers/representaives do you see? The only prominent one I know of is Eminem. I guess we better form the Congressional White Caucus and get the ACLU up in here...

kyoukan wrote:a ton of nashville recording artists (johnny cash, steve earle) have said that no black acts would ever be signed in nashville because the record companies fear the backlash from their audience who are primarily rural white trash.

Can you back this up at all? Also, what would happen if Death Row records suddenly started signing a bunch of "rich white kids?"

I've lived in Texas all my life and have been out in the country where the so called "rural white trash" live, trailer homes and all. I didn't see racism or wifes getting beat down or people walking around shooting each other with shotguns. I met good people- each one worth a thousand bitter Canadian midgets who surf internet messageboards all day trying to find some way to make themselves feel superior at other people's expense.

kyoukan wrote:given that country music has its roots in r&b and blues don't you find that a little odd?

No

kyoukan wrote:but it was just an offhand statement regardless. I'm sure the anti-kyoukan brainless troll brigade will turn this into a 10 pager.

Don't flatter yourself. There is no "anti-kyoukan" brigade. There are, however, several people who take exception to posts full of bigoted, ignorant views.

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » September 23, 2003, 4:30 am

I don't try and look superior. It comes naturally in face of the inferior people around me.

But if you want to play this gay ass game again, then ok. For every gold record selling black country and western artist you can name, I will name ten gold record selling white rappers. And then you will ignore that and move on to some other tiny point of contention and blow it all up until its a mountain of horse shit to rival every other post you've made.

Fallanthas · Post by **Fallanthas** » September 23, 2003, 4:32 am

Pride is one of the Top 20 best-selling country artists of all-time. His incredible legacy includes 36 #1 hits, more than 35 million albums sold, 31 gold and 4 platinum albums – including one quadruple platinum. On RCA Records, Charley Pride is second in sales only to Elvis Presley!

Dozens of Pride's chart-toppers now stand as modern classics. "Kiss An Angel Good Morning" went on to be a million-selling crossover single and helped Pride land Country Music Association Awards as Entertainer of the Year in 1971 and Top Male Vocalist in 1971 and 1972.

Awards ---
TNN/Music City News Living Legend 1997
American Music Awards Favorite Male Artist 1977
American Music Awards Favorite Album 1974
American Music Awards Favorite Male Artist 1974
Music City News Country Male Artist of the Year 1973
CMA Male Vocalist of the Year 1972
Grammy Best Male Country Vocal Performance 1972
Music City News Country Male Artist of the Year 1972
CMA Entertainer of the Year 1971
CMA Male Vocalist of the Year 1971
Music City News Country Male Artist of the Year 1971
Music City News Country Male Artist of the Year 1970
Music City News Country Male Artist of the Year 1969

Feh, didn't read far enough. Second only to Elvis in selling albums for RCA records.

Crav · Post by **Crav** » September 23, 2003, 4:50 am

I've lived in Texas all my life and have been out in the country where the so called "rural white trash" live, trailer homes and all. I didn't see racism or wifes getting beat down or people walking around shooting each other with shotguns. I met good people- each one worth a thousand bitter Canadian midgets who surf internet messageboards all day trying to find some way to make themselves feel superior at other people's expense.

The thing with that is how many minorities were there in the area? I've met a lot of good people who came from simple upbringings, but I've also met some people who for lack of a better term were a little too "nice". You know the type of people I'm talking about, the ones that don't really say what they mean. Oh they think you’re a nice Mexican, but they still see you as a Mexican, even though your family has been in Texas a lot longer than theirs. On the flip side I've seen the same thing from people of color, so I pretty much try not to make generalizations towards the people I meet.

In any case, whether the Dixie Chicks call themselves a country music act or a rock and roll act, I'll buy their next album. I suspect a lot of their country music fans will as well.

Xyun · Post by **Xyun** » September 23, 2003, 7:17 am

Well how fucking stupid do you have to be to go up in front of a large crowd, being labled as pro-US by long time occupation, and then going up and saying the crap they did?

The problem with stupid fucking people such as 90% of country music listeners is that they automatically assume that if someone speaks out against the actions of the government or the president, they are somehow anti-US.

Ask yourself if they were a rock band would they have gotten the treatment they got? Eddie Vedder took a picture of Bush and slammed it into the ground several times. The papers said that 50 people left the concert disgruntled about it, but it didn't say that 15000 people stayed and cheered on.

Speaking out for what they believe in does not make them stupid, in fact, it makes them couragous to risk losing fans to be true to themselves. They got chastised for it within their own industry. What does that tell you about Nashville and the scum who procreate there?

Aabidano · Post by **Aabidano** » September 23, 2003, 8:03 am

kyoukan wrote:blacks represent almost 5% of the country music listeners in america

Just curious, where did you pull that number? I'd guess 70% of whites don't listen to country music

kyoukan wrote:given that country music has its roots in r&b and blues

The "new" country music (indistinguishable from light rock) is based from those roots, just like rock is.

Bluegrass and it's varients are another matter entirely. It started in the Appalachian mountains, and comes from Europe. National geographic did a thing on it the other day. Some of the old folk tunes are ~400 years old, and basically unchanged

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » September 23, 2003, 8:59 am

What about Clint Black?

Anyway, country music sucks more ass than all the liposuction machines on the planet. You could eliminate every country station and every country singer right now and I would sleep better.

Fallanthas · Post by **Fallanthas** » September 23, 2003, 10:33 am

What about Clint Black?

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » September 23, 2003, 10:38 am

What about Clint Black?

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » September 23, 2003, 10:48 am

i reckin he's colored

Forthe · Post by **Forthe** » September 23, 2003, 10:59 am

k that just made me lol at work.

f u guys!

Ashur · Post by **Ashur** » September 23, 2003, 11:19 am

Speaking out for what they believe in does not make them stupid, in fact, it makes them couragous to risk losing fans to be true to themselves. They got chastised for it within their own industry. What does that tell you about Nashville and the scum who procreate there?

Oh, I don't know - I think entertainers should stick to fucking entertaining. WTF are we getting at here?

"Did you hear the new Pearl Jam?"

"Oh my god yes, thier POLITICS just fucking ROCK!"

pfft...

Next we'll have a whole wave of fucking musicians testifying before congress a la Hollywood actors on the issue d'jour.

EDIT: I don't give a shit what side of the political rainbow an entertainer sits on - if they don't throw it in my face.

Aabidano · Post by **Aabidano** » September 23, 2003, 11:33 am

Ashur [FoH] wrote:Next we'll have a whole wave of fucking musicians testifying before congress a la Hollywood actors on the issue d'jour.

15 years too late for that, already happened

Fairweather Pure · September 23, 2003, 11:58 am

I'm not black like Barry White, I am white like Frank Black is.

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » September 23, 2003, 12:11 pm

I have heard a few country songs that have the lyrics, "workin like a nigger" in them. /shrug

Kylere · Post by **Kylere** » September 23, 2003, 12:24 pm

Who gives a fuck what a pair of die blondes and a fugly brunette have to say about politics, they are so 5 minutes ago that they are dredging up their own mistakes to get press. How sad is that.

Oh yeah, the really ignorant assumption of Kyoukans is that people care about black artists being represented in country music, I could care less how many Amerinds listen to rock versus how many Amerind Rock stars there are, and most white people feel the same about how many white rappers there are, but this is typical you getting all enraged over dumb shit.

I really hope you seek and find treatment. You know that Celexa, Fluoxetine, Fluvoxamine Maleate, Lexapro, Luvox, Paroxetine, Prozac Weekly and Zoloft are all fairly new or new Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) for treatment of depression and some anxiety conditions. I really feel they or a lithium type treatment would be advisable for you.

Post by **Sylvus** » September 23, 2003, 12:29 pm

Kylere wrote:Oh yeah, the really ignorant assumption of Kyoukans is that people care about black artists being represented in country music

Black people might. Particularly if there is indeed some sort of conspiracy to keep them out of the industry. I'm not saying that there is, I really have no idea, but it seems reasonable enough to me that it would bother them if it were true or perceived as being true.

I'm of the opinion that country music as a whole is shit, and I'm surprised that there any black people listening to it. I thought better of them!

vn_Tanc · Post by **vn_Tanc** » September 23, 2003, 1:57 pm

I really hope you seek and find treatment. You know that Celexa, Fluoxetine, Fluvoxamine Maleate, Lexapro, Luvox, Paroxetine, Prozac Weekly and Zoloft are all fairly new or new Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) for treatment of depression and some anxiety conditions. I really feel they or a lithium type treatment would be advisable for you

Taking drugs is bad

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » September 23, 2003, 2:06 pm

Fallanthas wrote:What's interesting is that one black country singer sold more albums than any other, except Elvis Presley.

Elvis was an indian!

Marbus · Post by **Marbus** » September 23, 2003, 2:07 pm

Thanks for the response Kyoukan!

While I disagree that all of Country music has it's roots in RnB, I would personally say that Rock is a mixture of RnB/Blues and Country instead I understand your sentament. Bluegrass is a form of Celtic music though that was brought primarily from Ireland when the immigrants settled in KY.

You are right however about Black guys or gals in Country music... just don't ever see any. I'm not sure if that because the Record Companies are racist or they just don't think they can sell a Black singer to the audence... could be either or a little of both.

As far as the Dixie Chicks (or Dixie Commies as my Ranger friend likes to call them). I don't have a problem with what they said. One of the things that makes this country great is the ability to speak your mind. It's important never to loose sight of that. I DID however think it was a little off colour to do it in another country during a war. Speak your mind, just USE your mind on when it's appropriate to do it IMHO. People have to learn to use what power they have when it's most effective if they want to make a difference... they made one, just not the one they were hopeing for...

Many of those "poor white trash" people though probably have children in the military. I don't have statistics on this but in a time when they want to feel what they or their family is doing is right, just to come out against it is like slapping your target audence in the face... I have no pity on them, their heads have gotten just a little too big. I really like their latest CD and think Natalie is "cute as a button" but their attitude is all wrong which to me is a turn off socially, musically and physically. Entertainment, like politics and so many other things is really just a big game... to win you have to first know the basic rules.

Marb

Fallanthas · Post by **Fallanthas** » September 23, 2003, 2:33 pm

Nothing wrong with what the ladies said.

It's saying it and bitching that others don't agree that makes em fucking crybabies.

Nilaman · Post by **Nilaman** » September 23, 2003, 3:01 pm

JUNE 15, 1998: The subtitle of the three-CD set From Where I Stand: The Black Experience in Country Music is apt to provoke giggles -- what's next, an anthology of the Jewish experience in gospel music? There are a few tracks by Charley Pride, of course, the singer who initially had to wisecrack about his "permanent tan" to his audiences and ended up scoring 29 number-one country singles. There's an appearance by Ray Charles, who had a crossover smash with his Modern Sounds in Country & Western Music album and continues to record country material to this day. And Stoney Edwards's hits "She's My Rock" and "Hank and Lefty Raised My Country Soul" turn up. But what is there beyond that?

For that matter, there's still a substantial black audience for country -- 24 percent of the black adult radio audience, according to a 1993 Simmons poll.

http://www.carlray.com/stand.htm

I am sure there are more recent polls, but I do not see the black audience dropping by nearly 80% in 10 years.

Kylere · Post by **Kylere** » September 23, 2003, 3:41 pm

Man if 24% of the country music listeners are black, that just means that there are as many people of each race with no taste whatsoever in music.

Adex_Xeda · Post by **Adex_Xeda** » September 23, 2003, 10:21 pm

Categorization of race via language maintains inequity.

Xyun · Post by **Xyun** » September 24, 2003, 3:28 am

Ashur [FoH] wrote:
Speaking out for what they believe in does not make them stupid, in fact, it makes them couragous to risk losing fans to be true to themselves. They got chastised for it within their own industry. What does that tell you about Nashville and the scum who procreate there?
Oh, I don't know - I think entertainers should stick to fucking entertaining. WTF are we getting at here?

"Did you hear the new Pearl Jam?"

"Oh my god yes, thier POLITICS just fucking ROCK!"

pfft...

Next we'll have a whole wave of fucking musicians testifying before congress a la Hollywood actors on the issue d'jour.

EDIT: I don't give a shit what side of the political rainbow an entertainer sits on - if they don't throw it in my face.

So you don't believe that entertainers have an influence over culture, society, and politics? There are endless examples of entertainers changing the face of not only their profession, but culture and politics. Just play the song and shut the fuck up, right? And maybe when you become president I'll give a fuck... Maybe you don't care about who the person is as long as you like the product they sell, but a whole lot of motherfuckers out there care, including me. In fact, most if not all music tells a story or sends a message or both, and I tend to listen to shit that I agree or sympathies with, and you do the same sir, whether you admit it or not. That is the fucking meaning of entertainment.

Kylere wrote:Who gives a fuck what a pair of die blondes and a fugly brunette have to say about politics

Just because you don't give a fuck what they have to say doesn't mean other people don't, and the converse is true too, especially when applied to what you have to say.

Adex wrote:Categorization of race via language maintains inequity

And Marbus, excellent post, as always.

People have to learn to use what power they have when it's most effective if they want to make a difference...

Krimson Klaw · Post by **Krimson Klaw** » September 24, 2003, 8:57 am

I love the Chicks' music, this is why actors and artists should keep their mouths shut on political issues, because these tend to be the issues that people will hold grudges over and keep their wallets. I try not to be that way, just hard fighting human nature sometimes.

I am still not at the point of human evolution yet that I feel comfortable blasting Chicks music in front of my black friends and relatives though....guilty as charged, but they get private props!

vn_Tanc · Post by **vn_Tanc** » September 24, 2003, 10:58 am

All I see when reading this thread is the black country-loving hifi salesman scene in Boogie Nights

Burke · Post by **Burke** » September 24, 2003, 11:07 am

Adex,
Eschew obfuscation.

Ashur · Post by **Ashur** » September 24, 2003, 11:14 am

Xyun wrote:Just play the song and shut the fuck up, right?

Exactly. You CAN read. Never asked YOU to give a fuck, dipshit (unless you're secretly a national recording artist who is actively engaged in trying to fill the news with your pet politics... then I AM asking you to pay attention).

I don't care if you analyze lyrics of songs you like to pick the person you will vote for in the next election or choose the music you like based off of an_entertainer11987's political views. Sure, I may like or dislike a performer based off of lyrical choices they make - whether they be political or annoying, but that's because of the song itself (duh) not because they held a press conference to tell the world what they feel about Iraq or the environment.

GOOD FOR YOU if you find this element intriguing and all so important to the music you listen to... I don't.

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » September 24, 2003, 11:33 am

Xyun wrote:Maybe you don't care about who the person is as long as you like the product they sell, but a whole lot of motherfuckers out there care, including me. In fact, most if not all music tells a story or sends a message or both, and I tend to listen to shit that I agree or sympathies with, and you do the same sir, whether you admit it or not. That is the fucking meaning of entertainment.

That is not the meaning of entertainment, entertainment is just something that captivates you or amuses/gives pleasure to you. Just because you listen to some dolt strumming three cords as if that person is learned in any way shape or form on the issue s/he is trying to address, doesn't mean everyone else believes what the ignoramous is saying.

Post by **Sylvus** » September 24, 2003, 11:56 am

Chidoro wrote:That is not the meaning of entertainment, entertainment is just something that captivates you or amuses/gives pleasure to you. Just because you listen to some dolt strumming three cords as if that person is learned in any way shape or form on the issue s/he is trying to address, doesn't mean everyone else believes what the ignoramous is saying.

No, I'd say that entertainers and politicians are cut from the same cloth. It's just that one group of them is talented with music or acting or telling jokes, and the other is a failed group of musicians (Bill Clinton), actors (Ronald Reagan - okay not "failed" per se) or comedians. They are all just a big bunch of attention whores and they are kissing cousins at the very least.

A good portion of both groups don't know what the fuck they're talking about, it's just that entertainers aren't wearing a nametag with a donkey or an elephant on it so you can tell what they're going to say before they say it. Don't get me wrong, I don't go blindly following anyone's - politician's or entertainer's - views just on face value, but many different members of both groups have said things that I've agreed with. Discounting one opinion just because the guy is a longhaired hippie is as reprehensible as following another opinion just because the guy's dad used to be president.

Xyun · Post by **Xyun** » September 24, 2003, 12:04 pm

I agree with you Chidoro and I withdraw the last sentence of that statement. It comes down to whether an individual is a fan of the musician or the music. I know a lot of people attempt to separate the two and in my opinion that is distasteful.

But let's get back to the core of the argument here.

The argument I'm making is that celebrities do have power and influence in society, and they use this power to further causes they believe in.

Now you can either deny this statement, which I would attribute to your naivity, or you can argue that they should not use their influence. I think Ashur is attempting to argue the latter yet he has no logical or sound reason to support his claim.

Now, since I'm the dipshit here Ashur please enlighten me as to WHY they should not use their influence to push their agendas.

Forthe · Post by **Forthe** » September 24, 2003, 12:16 pm

I don't really understand why people get upset about celebrities voicing their political opinions. They do have the ability to more easily voice their opinion to a larger audience but beyond that there is no difference between that and any other citizen expressing themselves. Not all celebrities are dumb or ignorant, nor are they all smart or educated. I weigh the opinions expressed by the argument rather than the arguer. Spout off some dumb bullshit and I'll ignore it while an intelligent argument will be considered.

Expressing that opinion has potential consequences for most entertainers, if they are willing to risk that then let them. You will notice that most will not.

Why is it that extreme rhetoric from talk show hosts (from both sides) is perfectly acceptable?

Marbus · Post by **Marbus** » September 24, 2003, 12:21 pm

I'll answer that or at least put my perspective in...

To me it's not that they shouldn't, EVERYONE should use what influence they have if they believe their cause is just.

What concerns me though is the naivity (excellent choice of word) of many Americans. Too often I believe that mainstream America believes that because someone is famous they are obviously intelligent or their opinion matters more than their own. Many actors, musicians etc... don't have a freakin' clue about the world around them. They live in almost an alternate reality from the average person with possibly less knowledge (as many never even finished High School) about the world around them. Yet people listen and base their opinions on what this uneducated "famous" person thinks.

Of course that's not the fault of the person who is famous but the sheep following them.

Marb

Adex_Xeda · Post by **Adex_Xeda** » September 24, 2003, 12:31 pm

Burke,

I squeezed many words.
One sentance I did create.
I have squeezed too much?

5-7-5

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » September 24, 2003, 3:52 pm

Everyone has an opinion on politics. I don't see why celebrities shouldn't be able to express theirs.

One thing I've noticed is that people don't seem to complain about celebrities expousing their politics when they agree with them. I've never seen a conservative bitch about arnold who's been an active and vocal supporter of the GOP since the reagen administration. But whenever Babs Streisand opens her cock hole and says something stupid they start dry humping each other over how celebrities shouldn't be allowed to have an opinion about anything.

Nilaman · Post by **Nilaman** » September 24, 2003, 4:02 pm

It is not that people don't want them to have an opinion. It is the fact that they use their popularity and or air time (dixie chicks) to spread their opinion.

Fallanthas · Post by **Fallanthas** » September 24, 2003, 4:08 pm

I don't give a damn if the Chicks or any other celebrity voices their opinion, although I feel there are a few venues where it is inappropriate.

What bugged me about this bunch was them whining that they were being ostracized. For christs sake, if you are going to take a stand you better be aware that people aren't always going to agree and those who don't agree are going to refuse to support you.

Krimson Klaw · Post by **Krimson Klaw** » September 24, 2003, 4:08 pm

Well like I said, I try to be mature enough to not let their political opinions alter how I enjoy/support their art, but admittedly it can be hard to keep that maturity due to human nature to take your ball(support in the form of money) and go home when you disagree with someone. I try at least, I succeed most of the time.