...won't get played on country radio. And it's a crying shame. The Dixie Chicks released their new album, and it's pretty incredible. The official reason why their new single "Not Ready to Make Nice" isn't being played on the radio is that it doesn't fit in with what's being played on country radio right now. Give me a break. This is one of the best selling artists of the last ten years in any genre, and this album finds them at the top of their game, with sunny, singable melodies and a way cool California production. Think Fleetwood Mac on a good day. Or the Eagles. Basically the sound that every country radio station is trying to pump out to the masses on a daily basis.
But oh no. It's not going to be played. Not today. Not ever. Why? Because they spoke their mind. Do I agree with them? No. But that's way beside the point. The way they're being treated is downright wrong. Let's all hop in a time machine and go back to the 1950's and relive the glory days of McCarthy and cronyism and blacklists. Good job country radio!
If you support freedom of speech, not to mention freedom to put out great music, do yourself a favor and buy Taking the Long Way.
(NOTE: After perusing the album credits, it's worth mentioning that all of the songs were written with somebody cool, be it Dan Wilson (Semisonic), Mike Campbell (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), Sheryl Crow, Gary Louris (the Jayhawks), Pete Yorn, Neil Finn, or Keb 'Mo. Oh yeah - John Mayer played guitar on the record.)
Once again my comments just kept comming so I just made a post on it;).
Posted by: NerdMom | June 01, 2006 at 07:18 PM
Since I'm not a huge country music fan, I can post this and expand it to other genres -- I don't think it's limited to one area, though others seem to think it is.
Personally, I strongly associate the views of the singer/song-writer with the production (see Rich Mullins music, whose music isn't perfect, nor is he, but his personality "improves" the music -- disagree all you want, but don't speak ill of the dead) I know my wife won't listen to a certain band (nameless here forever more -- and a so-called "Christian band" at that) simply because of their behaviour at a live concert.
I believe there's more to this than simply an ad hominom attack (sp?) -- it's not just "well, I don't like you, so I won't listen to what you say." But there are other examples of artists (open for debate) whose views so 'influence' people that their work cannot be separated....
(just my two cents -- my views are my own).
Posted by: Greg | May 25, 2006 at 07:47 PM
I think that what Natalie Maines said back when was childish, honestly, and wasn't so controversial that it deserved the attention it has gotten. And while I think that country radio is being just as childish in their continued response, I think that it's just offered more publicity for the Chicks. And they're milking it for all it's worth.
But I'm not going to hold their behavior against their music...if their album is good enough to get my cash, then I'll buy it.
Posted by: DeeDee | May 25, 2006 at 02:06 AM
Go, Mark!! Preach it, baby!!! I'm with you.
Randy
Posted by: Randy | May 24, 2006 at 10:54 PM
Hey Mark, from your perspective as a member of one of the top CCM bands in the country, how does the Christian music industry fare in this regard? Is it more up to the Indie labels to release recordings from artists who might be too socially questionable for the major label tastes?
Posted by: Rick | May 24, 2006 at 09:37 AM
I was watching a show on TV the other day (sorry, but I honestly can't remember what it was) that kept playing one of their songs. It was a song I had never heard and I loved it -- then at the end it said that it was a Dixie Chick song. I was blown away. I know it's from the new album. I probably won't get the album -- but I might pick up at least that one song on iTunes.
Posted by: Karen | May 24, 2006 at 07:27 AM
It seems to me that people want more for their $17.99 than a good record.
That was an interesting point about the country/culture thing. Rock n Rollers and other celebrity types have their say all the time, and it doesn't register a blip on the radar. Maybe it was more the timing of it all, as well as her being a country singer.
Posted by: Diane (Yippy) | May 23, 2006 at 10:43 PM
I absolutely feel this is going down the McCarthy road. You're right - it's not quite the same degree, but it's a giant step in that direction, which scares me to no end. As soon as people who hold a different opinion than the majority are considered "unpatriotic", I start getting a little nervous.
Again, I do not agree with what Maines said, nor am I naive enough to think the Chicks are totally innocent on this one. I'm just saying I think they're being done wrong in a major way, and it's a shame because it's a great record.
Good point also about the culture factor. Eddie Vedder impaled a GWB mask on a mic stand and I think those guys are hotter than ever right now. Country music, however, is a little different story...
Posted by: Mark Lee | May 23, 2006 at 09:11 PM
But do you expect anything less from the country music scene? You're much closer to that industry than I am. I'm not a big country fan, but I just may go out and buy this one for the reasons you mentioned.
Posted by: Rick | May 23, 2006 at 08:18 PM
Hmmm... well, personally, I don't think it's quite the same degree as McCarthyism. They spoke their mind, continue to speak their mind, and now they are seeing less playing time on most country stations (in some cases no playing time). Doesn't it happen in reverse too? Hollywood comes to mind. Aren't Christians and political conservatives shunned there? But the very fact that we still watch their movies and shows seems to indicate that perhaps conservatives are in fact the more "tolerant" sort.
But getting back to the Dixie Chicks, I think it's an issue where country music more so than nearly any other genre's is tightly linked to the culture of those who listen. Even their band name "Dixie Chicks" is an identification with the South and the country. When they blasted the Pres. while out of the country... pandering to an audience just like the Hollywood types tend to do, it made folks realize that they weren't really typical "Dixie Chicks" because they weren't "one of us". What they did was seriously damage their image. It'd be like saying they were really from "New York City"... and the deafening response from 95% of the listeners was "New York City?????!!!!" Same thing.
Posted by: ScW | May 23, 2006 at 06:53 PM
Another "cott" I passed on. I'll get a copy simply because it's a cool California production. Can't pass up Fleetwood Mac or the Eagles on a good day (especially the Eagles...I saw them during the Hotel California tour) :)
Posted by: Diane (Yippy) | May 23, 2006 at 05:14 PM