Two Colorado DJs were suspended for playing the Dixie Chicks, proving that the debate and divisiveness touched off by singer Natalie Maines' criticism of President George Bush isn't over yet.

Colorado Springs country station KCS 102 FM suspended Jeff Singer and Dave Moore for an undisclosed number of days after the two played the country trio's songs despite orders from management not to do so. Though KKCS offers the slogan, "we're your country music station," listeners don't seem to be well represented. The station has been inundated with telephone calls about the band, seventy-five-percent of which reportedly favor reinstating the Chicks to the play list.

As for the Dixie Chicks, the backlash against them has subsided since their return from a European tour. The group kicked off its U.S. tour on May 1st to a sold-out crowd of 15,000 in Greenville, South Carolina, with only a handful of protestors outside. A subsequent Orlando performance drew only one protester.

ANDREW DANSBY
(May 6, 2003)