Skip to main content

‘Chicks’ comment ignites controversy


One of country music’s most popular groups is on a ‘landslide’ after making a negative statement against President Bush. Natalie Maines, lead singer of the Dixie Chicks, told a London audience “Just so you know, we’re ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas.”

Immediately after Maines’ comment, radio stations and fans of the Lubbock native began boycotting her music. Radio stations nationwide removed the Chicks from their playlist. According to the Associated Press, the most radical protest against the Dixie Chicks occurred in Bossier City, Louisiana where a 33,000-pound tractor was used to crush various Dixie Chicks memorabilia. Local country radio stations, such as 104.9, have not boycotted the Chicks yet.

According to the AP, Maines publicly apologized March 14. “As a concerned American citizen, I apologize to President Bush because my remark was disrespectful. I feel that whoever holds that office should be treated with the utmost respect. We are currently in Europe and witnessing a huge anti-American sentiment as a result of the perceived rush to war. While war may remain a viable option, as a mother, I just want to see every possible alternative exhausted before children and American soldiers’ lives are lost. I love my country.”

Despite the apology, the Chicks are still being protested across the country. However, many UTM students do not see the remark as a big deal.

“I don’t agree with their opinion about President Bush or the war, but it’s just their opinion. I enjoy their music, and I won’t stop listening to it just because I don’t agree with their political views,” said Mandy Vinson, a senior English major from Fairview.

Kevin Shell, a senior Communications major from Martin, said “I think it’s rash that they’re boycotting their music, but it’s the radio personnel’s freedom to boycott just as it’s the Chicks’ freedom to speak. I wonder how the Chicks would feel if they had to make a trip to Iraq. They’d probably get their little ‘Dixie’ heads cut off for that comment.”

The Dixie Chicks will find out how severely the comment hurt their fan base in May when they begin their U.S. tour titled “Top of the World Tour.”