DIXIE CHICKS STILL MAD AS HELL-- BUT WITH 5 GRAMMY AWARDS
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Last week I heard some CNN talking head grousing that the Dixie Chicks might win a couple of Grammy Awards because the Hollywood elite is so liberal. Last night the trio won all the awards they were nominated for: Album of the Year, Best Song, Best Record, Best Country Album and Best Country Performance by a Group.
Monday's New York Times recognized the sweet irony of the cascade of awards showered on a band that was boycotted for their anti-Bush Regime stance. "After death threats, boycotts and a cold shoulder from the country music establishment, the Dixie Chicks gained sweet vindication Sunday night at the 49th annual Grammy Awards, capturing honors in all five of the categories in which they were nominated... The Dixie Chicks’ sweep of the major Grammy categories served as a sharp counterpoint to their shut-out at the Country Music Association awards in November. The Recording Academy consists of members across the nation who work in all genres of music. The Country Music Association’s membership is concentrated among artists, engineers and executives tied to the Nashville establishment."
If you missed the Dixie Chicks music this year, here's the big hit, "Not Ready To Make Nice:"
posted by DownWithTyranny @ 3:02 AM
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9 Comments:
Howie,
I am gonna email you about this. The basic point being, why has it basically been the music dinosaurs, with a few exceptions, that have been outspoken in their support of the Dixie Chicks. Are the newer acts afraid to rock the boat?
No, many young bands speak out-- and a lot. Remember punkvoter.com? Those bands are all still speaking ut. Green Day just did a whole album based on their socio-political perspective and they speak out a lot, especially about Iraq and New Orleans. I had dinner last night with Peter Case, and he's as outspoken as any blogger. In fact, I have a brand new Peter Case song that isn't out that I'm going to give Crooks & Liars for the Late Night Music Club this week. Powerful stuff!
Speaking your mind or making political statements are great, but if we are to take the Grammies seriously (if anyone does)then it should be about the music. Looking at the Chicks album sales compared to other albums or even their own other album sales does not lead me to believe this was about the music, it also gives credence to the idea that L.A. is just a bit left of center and wanted to send a message of their own.
Anonymous, Grammy voters are not centered in L.A. but are scattered all over the country. I'm a Grammy voter and I don't know many voters who equate numbers of sales with quality of music. There's some other award that does that, one with approximately zero credibility.
I'm not crazy about the dixie chicks' music, but I am completely embarrassed about how the country reacted to the singer's statements. There's a great film documentary about the whole mess, called "Protesting the Dixie Chicks":
http://www.protestingthedixiechicks.com
http://www.myspace.com/protestingthedixiechicks
The awards given to the Dixie Chicks were 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!
Rob W. is right. Hardly the best song of the year. Losers here are the real best, but not too bad. Best still bring joy to those neuron constellations that resonate when they get the best vibes and timing, etc. Artists suffer a bit though.
quickmed
I still hate the dixie wenches. They are anti-american just like all liberals
One of the awards given (not earned) was given by Joan Biaz, come on!!! You would think spouting the word ashamed so easily over seas would imply they understood the meaning of the word. They should have been ashamed themselves to be part of sacraficing the once in a lifetime opportunity some of these artists will ever have to be recognized by their peers for the judges political statement and as for the the chicks at that point I fear were party to it for salvaging there own careers. In fact had Natalie really wanted to send another message she could have have refused the country award by staying in her seat. But ignorance continually prevails out of her mouth and she is mindless of hurting others. Her country, her fans, and her peers. She obviously wasn't taught American or home values you don't hurt the people you love and live with you can respectfully disagree.
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