WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT...
The "Dixie Chicks" really laid an egg on stage in London last week.
Shouting over the music, one of the girls...Natalie Maines, lead singer and guitar holder from Lubbock, Texas said "Just so you know, we're ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas!”
We used to call that sort of gross error a “gaff” or a “flap”, and but most performers had enough common sense to avoid letting their personal political feelings overshadow their “work”
Folks everywhere, not just “back home”, have not taken too kindly to this caustic cackle from the Chicks and some see it as the Chick's suicide statement.
The media , in general, was pleased with the luscious plum which been dropped in their collective lap by one young lady with a loose lip and lame brain. Radio saw it as direct threat and eagerly sought to find some damage control. They stood alertly in line at strove to be named as “next” if they could not be “first” in their area to withdraw all Chick records from air play. One chain of twenty-five stations axed the chicks before the sun was up the next morning. To do so was considered almost a required action, if radio wished to remain popular to a great host of fans.
This incident is a sad one in many ways. It illustrates so well the truth of the old patriotic statement that it is right for any citizen to stand up and say what he or she believes. They often fail to consider the codicil that follows which says that, after doing so, one must face the natural consequences of their action an d accept responsibility for having said so. The consequence of their action is seldom worth the act of doing it. This blurted bit of bombast will may well mark the death knell of the “Dixie Chicks”.The animal-lovers leagues may bemoan the frightful way of killing fowls, for a time. The wringing of the bird's neck was a common method in my time and many a onlooker has witnessed the helpless, aimless flight of the de-headed bird trying fly away from danger already fulfilled . Doing away with chicks has never been a pleasurable memory for any of us. There are those who will take it all lightly, of course.
It is shame this incident was allowed to mar the growing popularity of this trio of girls singing and playing the traditional guitar, 5-string banjo and fiddle. They were a refreshing addition to a rather dull season. It is not the first time a sharp beak has caused trouble among birds of a feather flocking together. But, it's all gone now, girls.
Try changing our name, confer with Clairoil, don't be ”from“ anywhere - try a total rehab sweep and it might turn out well after all.
Thank you for being with us, even for such a sort time. Bye.
A.L.M. March 14, 2003 [c498wds]
