From CBS in the USA:
The Dixie Chicks, who suffered a country backlash over lead singer Natalie Maines’ criticism of President Bush in 2003, solidified their comeback with a sweep of all five categories for which they were nominated at the 49th Annual Grammy awards Sunday night in Los Angeles.See also here.The country trio won record of the year, song of the year and best country song by a duo or group with vocal for “Not Ready To Make Nice,” and album of the year and best country album for “Taking the Long Road Home.”
“I think people are using their freedom of speech here at this awards. I’m very humbled.
I think people were using their voice the same way this loudmouth did,” Natalie Maines said through tears as she accepted the album of the year award. …
The Dixie Chicks were introduced by folk singer Joan Baez, who expressed her admiration for the outspoken group as she referred to her own role in protesting the Vietnam war, saying many times she was asked to “shut up and sing.”
And here.
And here.
And here.
And here.
Dixie Chicks film Shut up and sing: here.
Dixie Chicks win three Grammys
Posted by: “bigraccoon” bigraccoon@earthlink.net redwoodsaurus
Mon Feb 12, 2007 1:40 am (PST)
Dixie Chicks win three Grammys
February 11, 2007
CNN —
The Grammy Awards were nice to the Dixie Chicks, who won song of the year, a songwriter’s award, for “Not Ready to Make Nice.” The Chicks — Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire and Emily Robison — shared the award with Dan Wilson, formerly of Semisonic and Trip Shakespeare. “I, for the first time in my life, am speechless,” said Maines, who became a controversial figure in 2003 after making critical comments about President Bush. “Not Ready to Make Nice” was a response to the controversy; after Maines’ comments, the Chicks’ songs were pulled from a number of country music stations and the group was pilloried by former fans. The Chicks have won three awards. They also won best country performance by a duo or group with vocal and, after the song of the year award, were honored with best country album for “Taking the Long Way.”
http://www.cnn.com
http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Music/02/11/grammy.awards/index.html
Comment by Administrator — February 12, 2007 @ 1:19 pm
The awards given to the Dixie Chicks were simply one thing….sending a message.
As you know, these awards were not given by the people. This was not the People’s Music Awards, rather less than 11,000 members of professionals in the music industry. One writer brought up the idea that the vote for the various catagories was so split, that the largest chunk of votes left were the politically active members who had the opportunity to “make a statement” with what amounts to a lackluster album and a really boring song.
First of all, there’s no way a song like that would take song of the year at the Grammys unless it had help, through collusion or other means, or jury nullification, just like the O.J. trial. And for them to win 5 awards if just not only improbable, but impossible! It looks like the Grammys jumped the shark last night, allowing politics to influence the outcome of not one but 5 awards and I personally could never look at them in any kind of positive light again, though that’s been coming for a long time now.
I’ve been a professional musician for over 35 years, a session player on albums and a touring sideman. I’m hearing nothing, and I repeat nothing, but disbelief at what happened last night. Some are asking for an investigation to see if there was indeed any wrong doing in the “winning” of these awards. And all along, Natalie and the world still actually think that they really won those awards.
Sad. Hope they never realize what really happened. They were used!
Comment by rockerr — February 13, 2007 @ 12:26 am
Hi rockerr, as a musician, not a voter in the Grammy awards, I think the Dixie Chicks fully deserved these awards! So much more than George W Bush, playing guitar while the people of New Orleans drowned, as Bush had sent the National Guard and the money for the levee maintenance to Iraq …
Comment by Administrator — February 13, 2007 @ 12:36 am
rockerr………….you hit the nail on the head. I can’t say that the Dixie Chicks made bad music but their songs are in NO way worthy of a grammy. Especially with who they where up against. Nice Post Rockerr
Comment by KPanic — February 13, 2007 @ 5:44 am
Hi KPanic, can you say not just that you agree with rrocker, but also WHY? And what is your view on my comparison with Bush, please?
Comment by Administrator — February 13, 2007 @ 8:15 am