Sophie Bennett
On March 10, 2003, the Dixie Chicks' lead singer, Natalie Maines, made a comment that brought their successful career to a halt. The Texas-based trio, which included sisters Emily Strayer and Martie Maguire, was performing at the Shepherd's Bush Empire theater in London, England, when Maines expressed her disapproval of the impending invasion of Iraq, led by then-President George W. Bush. She stated that they were ashamed that the President was from the same state as them, igniting a backlash that led to boycotts, radio bans, and death threats. The comment had a significant impact on the country music industry, with the term “Dixie-Chicked” being used to describe the repercussions of speaking out politically. Despite the controversy, the Dixie Chicks released the album Taking the Long Way in 2006, which included the song Not Ready to Make Nice, addressing their banishment from the industry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | March 10, 2003 |
| Who | Natalie Maines |
| What | "We don't want this war, this violence, and we're ashamed that the president of the United States is from Texas" |
| Impact | Death threats, radio bans, boycotts, bulldozed CDs, a 14-year break |
| Albums released since | Taking the Long Way, Gaslighter |
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What You'll Learn
The Dixie Chicks' comments about George W. Bush
On March 10, 2003, the Dixie Chicks performed at the Shepherd's Bush Empire theatre in London, England. During the performance, lead singer Natalie Maines made comments about then-President George W. Bush and the impending invasion of Iraq. Maines told the audience that the band did not support the war and was ashamed that Bush was from the same state as them, Texas.
The full quote from Maines was: "Just so you know, we're on the good side with y'all. We don't want this war, this violence, and we're ashamed that the president of the United States is from Texas." The comment was made at a time when news was buzzing all over the globe about the United States' impending invasion of Iraq, under Bush's leadership.
The remark triggered a significant backlash in the United States, with the band's songs receiving less airplay on country radio stations and its members receiving death threats. The repercussions of the comment were felt not just by the band but also by their record label, Columbia Records, and the country music industry in general. The Dixie Chicks were blacklisted from the airwaves and their albums were boycotted. The backlash also damaged sales of their next album and tour.
Maines initially issued an apology, saying her remark had been disrespectful. However, three years later, she rescinded the apology, stating that she felt Bush deserved no respect. The Dixie Chicks stood firm in their beliefs and continued to face criticism and boycotts for their comments. They released the album "Taking the Long Way" in 2006, which included the song "Not Ready to Make Nice," addressing their banishment from the industry. The album was a success, reaching number one on the charts, but it also marked the beginning of a hiatus from studio releases until their new album, "Gaslighter," in 2020.
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The impact on their careers
In March 2003, the country music group the Dixie Chicks made headlines when, during a concert in London, lead singer Natalie Maines made a statement criticizing the impending invasion of Iraq and President George W. Bush. Specifically, Maines said, "We don't want this war, this violence, and we're ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas," referring to Bush's home state, which is also the home state of the Dixie Chicks. This statement sparked widespread controversy and had a significant impact on the group's career.
The Dixie Chicks were one of the most popular country music acts at the time, with a string of hit songs and sold-out tours. However, in the aftermath of Maines' comments, there was a swift and severe backlash from some country music fans, particularly those who supported the war and President Bush. Some fans boycotted the group's music, and some country music stations stopped playing their songs. The group also received death threats and had to deal with public protests and blacklisting from certain venues and organizations.
Despite this initial negative response, the Dixie Chicks stood by Maines' comments and continued to speak out against the war and in support of free speech. They also used the controversy as an opportunity to expand their fan base beyond traditional country music listeners, appealing to those who may have shared their political views but hadn't previously been exposed to their music. As a result, the group's music gained traction outside of the country genre, and they even collaborated with artists from other genres, such as rock and pop.
In the years following the controversy, the Dixie Chicks continued to experience success in the music industry, although their sound and image evolved. They released several more albums, won multiple awards, and continued to sell out tours, although their popularity in the country music community may have waned somewhat. The group also became known for their philanthropic efforts, using their platform to raise awareness and funds for various social and political causes they believed in.
Overall, while the statement made by Maines 17 years ago did spark a significant backlash and may have cost them some fans initially, it also allowed the Dixie Chicks to connect with a new audience and further establish themselves as artists with strong political and social convictions. The incident became a pivotal moment in their career, shaping their public image and the trajectory of their success, and it remains a notable example of the intersection of politics and the music industry.
The impact of this incident on the group's career was complex and multifaceted. On one hand, they faced a strong negative reaction from some country music fans and struggled with censorship and blacklisting. On the other hand, they gained new fans outside of their traditional genre and became known for their political convictions, which may have attracted a different type of audience. Ultimately, the Dixie Chicks navigated this controversial moment and continued to find success and make an impact in the music industry.
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The impact on country music
In 2003, the Dixie Chicks were at the top of the country music world. Their album "Home" had gone platinum, and they had performed the national anthem at the 2003 Super Bowl. However, on March 12, 2003, everything changed for the trio. During a concert in London, lead singer Natalie Maines made a comment about then-President George W. Bush and the upcoming Iraq War, stating that they were ashamed that the president was from the same state of Texas as the band.
The impact of this comment on country music was significant and immediate. The Dixie Chicks were blacklisted by many country radio stations and lost corporate sponsorship. Their single "Landslide" fell from number 10 to 43 on the Billboard Hot 100 in one week and left the chart a week later. They received death threats and were criticized by other country musicians and their fans, who were mostly right-wing and supported the war. Sales of their music and concert tickets declined, and they were dubbed traitors and "Saddam's angels". Local radio stations organized CD-burning protests, and the group even received death threats.
The Dixie Chicks became an example of the potential consequences of speaking out against the country music industry's predominantly conservative political leanings. The term "Dixie Chicked" became shorthand for career suicide, and many country stars refrained from sharing their political views openly. Taylor Swift, for example, has cited the incident as the reason she refrained from sharing her political views until 2018.
The Dixie Chicks' experience also highlighted the challenges female artists face in the country music industry. The group was subject to misogynistic criticism and was used and abused by those looking to make money off them. Their unfiltered sisterhood and cheeky proto-feminist classics riled purists and sexists within the industry and fanbase.
Despite the backlash, the Dixie Chicks remained unapologetic and continued to speak their minds. In 2006, they released the album "Taking the Long Way," which marked a hiatus from studio releases until 2020 when they dropped "Dixie" from their name and released the album "Gaslighter." The group has continued to chart on the American Billboard Hot Country Songs charts and has received numerous Grammy and Country Music Association awards, demonstrating their continued impact and influence on country music despite the controversy.
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The Dixie Chicks' response to the backlash
On March 10, 2003, nine days before the invasion of Iraq, the Dixie Chicks performed at the Shepherd's Bush Empire theatre in London, England. During the concert, the lead singer, Natalie Maines, made a comment about then-President George W. Bush and the Iraq War: "Just so you know, we're on the good side with y'all. We do not want this war, this violence, and we're ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas."
This comment triggered a significant backlash for the Dixie Chicks, particularly within the country music community, where they were already considered controversial due to their "feisty songs, their provocative style, and their huge sales of progressive bluegrass records to pop kids." The group faced boycotts, radio bans, and even death threats. Fellow country star Toby Keith performed in front of a backdrop featuring a gigantic image of Natalie Maines beside Saddam Hussein.
The Dixie Chicks responded to the backlash in several ways. Initially, Maines apologised for her comment in 2003. However, in 2006, she rescinded her apology, stating that she no longer felt Bush was owed any respect. The group also released the single "Not Ready to Make Nice" in 2006, which addressed the criticism they had received. Additionally, they joined acts including Springsteen and Pearl Jam for the Vote for Change tour in 2004, raising money for causes against Bush's reelection.
In 2006, the Dixie Chicks released the album "Taking the Long Way," which marked a hiatus from studio releases until 2020 when they released "Gaslighter" under the new name, the Chicks, dropping the word "Dixie." In a 2020 interview with Ellen DeGeneres, Maines reflected on the controversy, stating that what she said back then would not be a big deal today compared to what people say now. She also acknowledged the impact of "cancel culture" and how quickly public opinion can turn against someone.
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The Dixie Chicks' album releases since
The Dixie Chicks have released three albums since their controversial comments in 2003. The first was "Taking the Long Way" in 2006, followed by "Gaslighter" in 2020, and their latest album is "Chick Sing for Peace" which was released in 2022.
"Taking the Long Way" was the band's response to the controversy and included the single "Not Ready to Make Nice," which addressed the political controversy that had surrounded the group. The album was produced by Rick Rubin, known for his work with hard rock acts and idiosyncratic singers. It became the ninth-best-selling album in the United States in 2006 and won the Dixie Chicks five Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Album of the Year.
After "Taking the Long Way," the Dixie Chicks took a hiatus from recording, though they still performed occasionally. In 2012, they collaborated with Beyoncé on her song "Daddy Lessons," and in 2019, they appeared on Taylor Swift's song "Soon You'll Get Better" from her album "Lover."
In 2020, the band changed their name to "The Chicks," dropping the word "Dixie" due to its connotations with slavery in the United States. Their new album, "Gaslighter," was released in May 2020, marking their first studio album in over a decade. The title single was released earlier that year in March.
The Dixie Chicks' latest album, "Chick Sing for Peace," was released in 2022. It includes songs about peace and unity, with a focus on the band's hope for a better world. The album has received positive reviews, with many praising the band's message and musical talent.
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Frequently asked questions
On March 10, 2003, the Dixie Chicks performed at the Shepherd's Bush Empire theater in London, England. Frontwoman Natalie Maines told the audience that the band did not support the imminent Allied invasion of Iraq and were ashamed that then-President George W. Bush was from Texas.
The band's songs received less airplay on country radio stations, and its members received death threats. The Dixie Chicks were also boycotted by much of their country music fanbase and industry. Their song "Landslide" fell from number 10 to 43 on the Billboard Hot 100 in one week. The backlash also damaged sales of their next album and tour.
The Dixie Chicks experienced a hiatus from studio releases that lasted until 2020, when they released a new album, "Gaslighter", under the name "The Chicks".
