Sophie Bennett
In March 2003, the American country band the Chicks, formerly known as the Dixie Chicks, publicly criticized then-US President George W. Bush, triggering a backlash. At a concert in London, the lead singer, Natalie Maines, stated that the band was ashamed that Bush was from their home state of Texas and that they did not support the imminent invasion of Iraq. This comment led to a severe reaction, with the Dixie Chicks facing death threats, boycotts, and a decline in music sales and concert ticket sales. The band lost corporate sponsorships, and their music was removed from playlists on country radio stations, with some stations even hosting parties to crush their albums. The backlash also extended to awards shows, with the Dixie Chicks facing boos at the Academy of Country Music Awards. Despite the initial apology issued by Maines, the incident had a lasting impact on the band's career, and they eventually changed their name to distance themselves from the controversy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of comments | March 10, 2003 |
| Speaker | Natalie Maines, lead singer of the Dixie Chicks |
| Location | London, UK |
| Event | Concert during the Top of the World Tour |
| Target | President George W. Bush |
| Comments | "We are ashamed that George W. Bush is from Texas" and "we do not want this war, this violence" |
| Context | Imminent invasion of Iraq |
| Backlash | Yes |
| Backlash details | Blacklisted by country radio stations, received death threats, lost corporate sponsorship, boycott of album and tour, public criticism from other country musicians, decline in sales of music and concert tickets |
| Apology | Yes |
| Apology details | Maines issued an apology, saying her remark had been disrespectful |
| Rescinded apology | Yes |
| Rescinded apology details | In May 2006, Maines rescinded her 2003 apology, saying "I don't feel that way anymore" |
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What You'll Learn
The Dixie Chicks' comments about George W. Bush
In March 2003, the American country band the Chicks, then known as the Dixie Chicks, publicly criticised President George W. Bush, triggering a backlash. At a concert in London during their Top of the World Tour, the lead singer, Natalie Maines, said the Dixie Chicks were ashamed that Bush was from their home state of Texas and that they did not support the imminent invasion of Iraq.
Maines' exact words were: "We do not want this war, this violence. And we're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas." This line quickly became fodder for a grassroots anti-Chicks backlash. It began with thousands of phone calls flooding country-music radio stations from Denver to Nashville—calls demanding that the Chicks be removed from the stations' playlists. Soon some of those same stations were calling for a boycott of the recent Chicks' album and of their upcoming U.S. tour.
The Dixie Chicks were one of the most popular American country acts at the time. After the statement was reported by the British newspaper The Guardian, it triggered a backlash from American country listeners, who were mostly right-wing and supported the war. The Dixie Chicks were blacklisted by many country radio stations, received death threats and were criticised by other country musicians. Sales of their music and concert tickets declined, and they lost corporate sponsorship.
A few days later, Maines issued an apology, saying her remark had been disrespectful. On March 12, two days after she had made her statement, Maines issued a disclaimer: "While we support our troops, there is nothing more frightening than the notion of going to war with Iraq and the prospect of all the innocent lives that will be lost. I feel the president is ignoring the opinions of many in the US and alienating the rest of the world. My comments were made in frustration, and one of the privileges of being an American is you are free to voice your own point of view." The statement failed to appease critics. Two days later, Maines issued an apology, saying: "As a concerned American citizen, I apologise to President Bush because my remark was disrespectful."
In May 2006, Maines rescinded the apology she had made in 2003, saying: "I don't feel that way anymore."
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The backlash and boycott
The backlash against the Dixie Chicks, now known as The Chicks, was swift and severe. The band's comments, made in March 2003, were reported by the British newspaper The Guardian, and triggered a strong reaction from American country listeners, who were largely right-wing and supported the war. The Chicks were blacklisted by many country radio stations, their songs were deleted from playlists, and some stations even held parties where they rented steamrollers to crush the band's CDs. They also received death threats and were criticised by other country musicians.
The Chicks' record label, Columbia Records, and the music business in general were also impacted by the controversy. The band lost corporate sponsorship, and sales of their music and concert tickets declined. They were also criticised by fellow country star Toby Keith, who performed in front of a backdrop featuring a doctored photo of Natalie Maines and Saddam Hussein.
The Chicks tried to clarify their comments, with Maines issuing a statement saying that while they supported the troops, they were against the war and felt the president was ignoring the opinions of many Americans. She also issued an apology, saying her remarks had been disrespectful. However, the backlash continued, and in May 2003, the band appeared naked on the cover of Entertainment Weekly, covered in words and phrases ascribed to them during the controversy, including "traitors", "Dixie Sluts", and "Saddam's Angels".
Despite the controversy, The Chicks remained defiant, with Maines saying that she felt the band had made an impact outside of music and that positive things had come from the experience. The band also found support from some quarters, including musician Bruce Springsteen, who released a statement describing them as "terrific American artists expressing American values by using their American right to free speech".
In 2006, The Chicks released the album "Taking the Long Way", which was a hit and won several Grammys. The band also toured successfully and continued to release music, including the 2020 album "Gaslighter". In 2020, the band also announced they were dropping "Dixie" from their name, reflecting their departure from the country music scene.
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The Dixie Chicks' response to the backlash
The Dixie Chicks, now known as The Chicks, faced a severe backlash in March 2003 after publicly criticizing President George W. Bush and expressing their opposition to the Iraq War. The lead singer, Natalie Maines, stated during a concert in London that the band was “ashamed” that Bush was from their home state of Texas. This comment, reported by The Guardian, triggered a strong reaction from American country music listeners, who were predominantly right-wing and supportive of the war.
The backlash against the Dixie Chicks included blacklisting by country radio stations, death threats, criticism from fellow musicians, loss of corporate sponsorships, and a decline in music sales and concert ticket sales. The band also faced criticism from President Bush himself, who suggested that they were free to express their opinions but should not be surprised if people chose not to buy their records as a result.
In response to the backlash, the Dixie Chicks stood by their right to free speech and expression. They emphasized their support for the troops while maintaining their opposition to the war. Maines issued a statement clarifying her position:
> While we support our troops, there is nothing more frightening than the notion of going to war with Iraq and the prospect of all the innocent lives that will be lost. I feel the president is ignoring the opinions of many in the US and alienating the rest of the world. My comments were made in frustration, and one of the privileges of being an American is you are free to voice your own point of view.
Maines initially offered an apology, acknowledging that her remark was disrespectful. However, she later rescinded this apology in 2006, stating that she no longer felt Bush was owed any respect. The Dixie Chicks also appeared naked on the cover of Entertainment Weekly, with words and phrases ascribed to them during the controversy, such as "traitors" and "free speech."
The Dixie Chicks' stance on Bush and the Iraq War had a significant impact on their career and the country music industry. They faced ongoing repercussions, including reduced ticket sales and continued criticism from country music fans and radio stations. Their experience highlighted the political divisions within the country music scene and the challenges artists face when expressing controversial opinions.
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Support for the Dixie Chicks
In March 2003, the Dixie Chicks' lead singer, Natalie Maines, publicly criticized then-US President George W. Bush and the imminent invasion of Iraq. Maines stated that the band was ashamed that Bush was from their home state of Texas. This triggered a significant backlash, with many country radio stations blacklisting the group and some fans even destroying their CDs. The Dixie Chicks also lost corporate sponsorships and received death threats.
Despite the intense criticism, the Dixie Chicks also received support from various quarters. The band's members stood by Maines, sharing her frustration about the war. Other prominent figures, such as former US Vice President Al Gore and musician Bruce Springsteen, defended the Dixie Chicks' right to free speech. Springsteen described the backlash against the band as "un-American." Country musician Merle Haggard also expressed solidarity with the Dixie Chicks, calling the reaction a "verbal witch hunt and lynching."
The Dixie Chicks themselves interpreted their wins at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards in 2007 as a show of public support. Their album "Taking the Long Way" and single "Not Ready to Make Nice" won multiple awards, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year. The group's comeback single "Gaslighter" in 2020 also signaled a shift in their image and a new era for the band.
Additionally, the Dixie Chicks joined forces with other artists, such as Springsteen and Pearl Jam, for the Vote for Change tour in 2004, raising funds for causes against Bush's reelection. They also collaborated with 31 other recording artists on the song "Love Rocks", supporting relationships of all kinds, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
While the initial backlash significantly impacted the Dixie Chicks' career, they persevered and continued to make music, expressing their political views and advocating for free speech.
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The Dixie Chicks' career after the controversy
In 2003, the Dixie Chicks publicly criticized President George W. Bush, triggering a massive backlash. The group faced death threats, boycotts, and CD bulldozing protests. They were dubbed "`traitors'" and "Saddam's Angels", and many country radio stations blacklisted them. Sales of their music and concert tickets declined, and they lost corporate sponsorships. The Dixie Chicks also faced a disconnect with their conservative fan base, many of whom supported the Iraq War.
Despite the controversy, the Dixie Chicks released the album "Taking the Long Way" in 2006, which sold 526,000 copies in its first week and hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts. The album's lead single, "Not Ready to Make Nice," addressed the political controversy surrounding the group and was considered "therapy" for the band. The group also premiered a documentary, "Shut Up and Sing," at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival, which followed the Dixie Chicks in the three years since the London concert remark.
In 2008, the Dixie Chicks entered a hiatus, with Martie and Emily recording as a duo, Court Yard Hounds. In 2020, the group, now known simply as "The Chicks," announced their comeback with the single "Gaslighter," a response to men who try to silence women. They also released another single, "March March," reflecting their support for the Black Lives Matter movement and their decision to change their name to distance themselves from the Confederate States.
Looking back on the controversy, the Dixie Chicks have expressed mixed feelings. Natalie Maines has stated that she does not regret her comments, feeling that they allowed the band to make an impact outside of music. However, she also acknowledged the personal toll of the backlash, including death threats and the impact on their careers. The Dixie Chicks' experience also influenced other country artists, who became more cautious about expressing their political beliefs for fear of a similar backlash.
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Frequently asked questions
In March 2003, the lead singer of the Dixie Chicks, Natalie Maines, said that the band was ashamed that then-President George W. Bush was from their home state of Texas. She also said that they did not support the imminent invasion of Iraq.
The comments triggered a backlash from American country listeners, who were mostly right-wing and supported the war. The Dixie Chicks were dropped by sponsors, blacklisted by many country radio stations, received death threats, and were criticized by other country musicians. Sales of their music and concert tickets declined.
Yes, a few days later, Maines issued an apology, saying her remark had been disrespectful. However, in 2006, she rescinded her apology, saying, "I don't feel that way anymore."
