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Dixie Chicks Fuel Backlash with Remarks About Patriotism

The Dixie Chicks have grown accustomed to making waves with even the gentlest criticisms of the Bush Administration, so they shouldn't be surprised if recent remarks to England's Telegraph newspaper really get the right-wing in an uproar. In an interview with the paper, singer Natalie Maines took aim at a typically off-limits topic: patriotism.

"The entire country may disagree with me, but I don't understand the necessity for patriotism," Maines told the paper. "Why do you have to be a patriot? About what? This land is our land? Why? You can like where you live and like your life, but as for loving the whole country... I don't see why people care about patriotism." As a dramatic flourish, the writer hastened to add that Maines was speaking through "gritted teeth."

The comment came after Maines and bandmate Emily Robison had been discussing how most country music artists had been pandering to the public during wartime, loading their videos with soldiers and American flags in what Robison described as a "sickening display of ultra-patriotism." She also accused other country artists -- without naming names -- of cashing in on the Chicks' notoriety by positioning themselves at the opposite end of the political spectrum.

In many ways, the country industry has indeed turned its back on the Dixie Chicks, with radio stations and promoters giving a cool reception to new album Taking the Long Way, lead single "Not Ready to Make Nice," and the group's summer tour. But despite a doom-and-gloom forecast, the album sold around a half million copies in the U.S. during its first week of release and has remained the top country album on the Billboard charts for the past month.

Prior to their remarks about patriotism, the group had found an unlikely and sanctimonious supporter in Bill O'Reilly, who had written a "Memo" in support of airplay for "Not Ready to Make Nice."

--The ARTISTdirect Staff
06.21.06