The Dixie Chicks play it right and say it right and I love those ladies whereever they go whatever they say!

I saw the Chicks this past Saturday in Boston, and was blown away. I’ve been to well over 200 concerts in my life, and have seen most of the greats of Classic Rock, and I would rate this show as one of the best I’ve ever seen. Excellent musicianship, a great show, and my God can these ladies sing!

Wow, Rob Sheffield gushes about his agendas in the review above, and tells very little about the actual show, except the clothing, the solos. I guess he had to leave space for his own political- and sexual/gender-related comments. Hmm, let’s see. In a few short paragraphs, Rob directly and indirectly bashes Bush, Mel Gibson and people he thinks oppose homosexuality. Does anyone else smell Agenda City here?

I’m going to see the Dixie Chicks in Winnipeg this month for the first time. Sounds like I’m in for a treat!

I think it is hilarious that Rolling Stone.com now posts headlines like “Dixie Chicks Kick Ass” for no other reason than the fact that they hate George Bush. I mean, give me a goddamned break.

Correction: Natalie wore a gorgeous peek-a-boo black dress that showed off her slimmed down figure, with great black stiletto heels. Quite formal but appropriate for the seriousness of the tone of their “Accidents and Accusations” tour. She strode the stage with authority and elegance. Natalie may tend to “bite the hand that feeds”, but better that than middle of road safeness. The Chicks will be back in the saddle when a Democrat reoccupies the White House.

I am a registered republican but I have to give credit to people who express their opinions honestly. I disagree with them but applaud their guts and love the music. What I don’t agree with is the reaction from people who malign and boycott. The essence of America is to be who you are and not who people think you should be. The hate shown by those who don’t like what they said, is not.
Rock on Chicks!!

If they’d never said anything about Bush (and especially if they were PRO-Bush), they wouldn’t be where they are now and I doubt Rolling Stone would be covering their concert. George Bush being elected was the best thing that could’ve happened to them. I seriously doubt Rick Rubin would’ve given them a second glance had it not been for their “courageous” display of free-speech (which happened to be in the UK, go figure).

I am buying extra tickets and CDs to make up for all those who just don’t ‘get it’ and thank God DXC say what they think when they want to any where they want to . . . God bless DXC and God bless America! My kids saw them in Pittsburgh and will join me to see them in Fresno and Sacto in November. Rock on DXC!

First of all, the constitution doesn’t say freedom of speech only when you are in America; Anywhere else and we will bash you! I saw the concert in Philadelphia and THESE LADIES ROCK!

I like the Dixie Chicks’ Music. I feel that what they say in public can hurt our troops when they are called upon to do the job they signed on to do. Dividing the country hurts the morale of a successful military force, ie Vietnam. The same thing will happen in Iraq and Afghanistain.
I served this country proudly for over 20 years. Myself and my military family, past and present has secured the freedoms that the Dixie Chicks and so many others abuse and take for granted. Lest we forget 9/11, lest we forget the USS Cole, lest we forget the fall of Saigon (for pulling our military out because of the civilian leadership (congress), and the unpopular views that people placed on the US Population as it is happening now), lest we forget Korea, lest we forget Pearl Harbor, lest we forget every conflict back to the beginnings of this country.
I do like the Chicks Music, and for bashing the Social Issues of our society, ie “Goodbye Earl”. but when it can harm the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines that are trying to bring peace and democracy to countries that have never enjoyed the freedoms that the Chicks and everyone in our country does, we must stand together.

Saw the Chicks at MSG in New York two nights ago. Best concert I have ever been to!! One left feeling a personal relationship with all three. These ladies rocked!!

i’d haul their water or chop their wood and be honored. the chicks have my respect and admiration. most excellant article.

I’m 53 years old and my husband is 50. We have seen lots of country stars (Dems & Rep)and lots of rock & roll. We saw the Chicks in Columbus Ohio. I’m telling you my husband, my self and my 23year old college graduate thought this was the best concert we ever saw. My son goes to ever Dave Mathews concert that comes to this town. He said it was the best concert he ever saw. Music and Vocal you have to give these girls there due. Country Music will regret what they’ve done jokewise or anything else. They’re good – they sing rings around Reba or anyother big name. The great!!!!

I’m going to see the Dixie Chicks today and I’m excited. I do have to say that I don’t agree with their opinions but if they want to express it they have a right BUT they have to except the consequences of the reactions of people who don’t like what they say (i.e., boycotts and bashes). The people who criticize them have just as much of a right to display their disagreements with what they say. I DO NOT, however, condone the idiots who threaten and try to intimidate them but if they get boycotted then so be it. It’s the American democracy at work!

Freedom of speech doesn’t mean freedom from accountability or freedom from criticism. And no matter how the media spins it, the Chicks’ tour is tanking (canceled dates all over the place) and so are the record sales. Going to the half-price bargain bin two weeks after release doesn’t sound like the behavior that one would expect from a #1 album. There’s a lot of ways to artificially boost CD sales but the canceled tour dates speak for themselves.

Absolutely the best concert I have ever seen. I have seen a lot of great musicians, and none compare to what the DXC displayed at MSG. Especially Reba’s “me, me, me” shows. Politics aside (even though I agree with them and their choices in every way AS AN AMERICAN), this girls are here to stay!!!!!!! PLEASE COME BACK TO NYC!!!!

saw the Chicks in Albany last week with my husband and our 25 year old son and his girlfriend…was the third concert for me and they were fabulous…they are the perfect combination of amazing voices, awesome musicians and beautiful women…their lyrics hit home every time…thanks Ladies for making great music…

Hey Bob, deal with it, the DC is doing just fine in spite of the blacklisting vocal minority. Proof in that is how these DC haters stalk every DC article and message board to spam the boards with their made up, no actual proof claims of artificial sales.

Hey TJ, The Prez and his hatchetmen and “friends” in broadcasting divided this country. Pass the buck where it belongs- the Commender in Chief. Additional blame goes to that group of advisors who found “other things” to do during the Vietnam War. Their patriotism stopped at putting on a uniform just like most of the DC message board stalkers.

Hey,Stephen reality is the DC are a group of talented courageous young women. The blacklisting and the spamming of all their message boards and blaming the DC for all the sins of the world by the DC bashers have been unsuccessful in stopping their careers.

Hey Mark, you and Stephen identical twins? LOL.

Hey Scott, we smell your agenda.Love the hypocrisy of the DC bashers who act all offended if anyone but the DC are bashed. Yet they spam any DC article or board with barrages of DC bashing.

Dixie Chicks, excellent show.

DC
Stop thinking about MONEY. Kick George Warlord Bush’s ass. Give free concerts at colleges & united the youth of this country with the TRUTH.
Follow in steps of the great ones. Bob Dylan.Woody Guthry, Pete, Paul, & Mary,Pete Seagar Johnny Cash,
Call free concerts “This is my land”

Go DC, you gals rock(in a country way
Wow, dissent hurts the troops. Are the founding fathers spinning in their graves? Aren’t our troops fighting for that very freedom of speech?

Since I am a lifelong rock fan, I have never been really interested in country music. But I have to admit that the Chicks made me a convert. They are awesome in every each way. Politics or no politics, they have achieved near perfection with their music. I’ll keep buying all their new Cds regardless of whether radio stations play them or not.

How strange that the “land of the free” whose President goes around preaching “freedom” for all nations, is head of a nation that punishes the very same citizens who exercise that “freedom”. The only differnce between us and a dictaorship is that we don’t cut people’s head off when they say something bad about the leader, instead,if they are a celebrity like the chicks, they fabricate stories about those people being unpatriotic and band their records from playing on radio. Oh yes, the countries we are going to liberate should heed to the lesson which is…FREEDOM IS WHAT WE SAY IT IS, YOUR PERSONAL OPINION NOT VALID..kinda like in a dictatorship….ROCK ON CHICKS!!!

to TJ ???

Lest we forget 9/11, lest we forget the USS Cole, lest we forget the fall of Saigon (for pulling our military out because of the civilian leadership (congress), and the unpopular views that people placed on the US Population as it is happening now), lest we forget Korea, lest we forget Pearl Harbor,

So you think the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor is the same as a bunch of misguided radicals flying planes into buildings????? WTF??

USS Cole – terrorist attack on a docked ship.
Fall of Saigon – misguided attempt at maintaining the European control (France) over Indochina – read – if the US and others had supported Vietnam’s independence following WW2, the vietnam war would have never occurred!

20+ years of military service does not excuse ignorance of history. Iraq is a mistake, was a mistake, and if George Bush and company had bothered to learn history, they would have known it was a mistake!

I have yet to see the DC live in concert, but I’m buying tickets for their Austin show in October.

…and to the guy whining about the author “bashing” Mel Gibson. Get the flip over it already. I’ll bet you weren’t complaing when the American Taliban (aka-the extreme right wing fundamentalists) wasted time/space/airtime destroying their D-Chicks albums.

Also, where is this “Agenda City” you speak of?

-d

I saw the Dixie Chicks on Saturday in Atlantic City. They were spectacular in concert – terrific musicians, great singing, wonderful show. I have loved them since their first CD but since the comment about Bush, have loved them even more for standing up for our right of freedom of speech. To all those right wing radio station owners who refuse to play their music, I hope your stations tank. Your listeners will be the losers because they will miss out on terrific music.

Just saw the Dixie Chicks in d.c.
sold out concert and awesome one too!!
their voices blend so well. they welcomed the president and his family to the verizon center. that got a laugh. all in all it was a wonderful nite.
just wish all the idiots who danced to the soldier song didn’t think it was a rock ballad.
and reba, don’t you wish you could sing like they do? you are washed up and the dixie chicks are gonna be around forever!!

I saw the show in Boston and though I am a big fan of theirs even before the Bush thing, I was totally blown away by the concert and their talent. The whole place erupted when they finished Not Ready to Make Nice. They not only sang beautiful harmony, but they really rocked with their country rock and roll. And what kind of a leader in a free society would stoke the fires of hatred toward entertainers that said something negative about him and were being bombarded by death threats. Bush showed himself to be mean spirited and very immature when he didn’t put an end to the hatred nonsense. Go to their concert, you won’t be disappointed. And for you overly sensitive types, there was no Bush bashing.

P.S. , Oh, and Bob Schneider(opening act) was also great.

I’m a rocker musician from San Antonio…my taste as far as country goes would be Johnny Cash and his buddies…but the Chicks? I say You Go Girls! I don’t care what you sound like (i hear it’s really good) you’re my heroes hands down. We’re behind you 110%

I’m all for people saying what’s on their mind. Go Chicks, Go Mel. In fact, I’ve even let my mouth get in the way of my own self-interests. So, the Dixie Chicks are getting their dur, just as Mel will get his. And I know all you new country converts are going to line up to support Mel’s freedom of speech by buying tickets and CDs. If you can be offended by Mel, the most of the country has the right to be offended by the Chicks, unless you’re like most “progressives” – hypocrites.

I am a Dixie Chicks convert. When I first heard them years ago, I thought they were waaaaaay too twangy and country for my tastes. I also figured they were very conservative little Texas girls.
WRONG!!!! Now I love the Chicks!!
Thank God for the Dixie Chicks and Neil Young!!! They have made the best albums of the year. I wish the Chicks were playing MY town.

They suck like all of you reckless idiots who are have no love for your country who have no understand of real freedom. One day we will all pay for your stupidity.

As we fight for freedom in Iraq we condemn our own citizens. What makes us different from other countries if we cannot honestly speak our mind. He is President Bush not King Bush.
Love the Dixie Chicks for many reasons!

I am going to see the Chicks in Toronto in October .Bob Janssen they sold out both shows in a day.Sure they are not doing well in the red states but for every”postponed show” there they are adding a show in Canada..The CD is amazing.Whether you agree with their politics or not they sing about everything from Alzheimers to the joy of being a mom.If the red states can’t handle that great because Halifax and Winnipeg are grateful.

I’m a DJ at a outlaw country Station and I will always play the Dixie Chicks. It takes guts to do and say what they say. They have my admiration. Keep on keepin’ on girls.

Hi ladies! My wife and I remember the Uncle Calvin days and outdoor concerts in Garland and Richardson. We even have your real first CD with your signatures to boot. Keep up the good work and continue to speak your minds.

Someday this controversy will be seen for what it is, fear and hate filled blacklisting similar to what happened on a far wider scale in the 50’s. Thank you Chicks for having the courage to exercise your freedom of speach, and shame on all of you modern day Joe McCarthy’s. Bush’s approval rating among 18-24 year old is at twenty per cent. Dig it.

I agree that we all have the right to free speech no matter who we are or what we do. Remember, our servicemen and servicewomen in the military (through the ages) fought for and continue to fight for those rights for us and all peoples who desire freedom and the right to expression. For those battles and those sacrifices, I am extremely thankful, as we all should be. Those battles and sacrifices allow me this forum and allow me to speak what I feel and what is on my mind. It allows us all! I will agree with TJ, that with these opportunities also comes responsibility. We must be careful not to jeopardize those military personnel who deliver these rights to us. The ‘enemies’ of democracy and freedom will use all that they can to throw disfavor, misinformation, slander and hate unto those that would liberate. We must be careful and responsible as to where and how we do exercise our rights to free speech. It does none of us any good to destroy the sources of those privileges and put them in danger. We must have a better appreciation of what we have and help to spread those rights and opportunities to others around the world. Each human being, everywhere in the world, has an instinct and a desire to be free, to speak, to love and support their families, and to ultimately have peace. Be very aware that there are peoples throughout this world that desire the complete opposite. Be very careful on which side you support by your actions and words. Just be aware of where you are and to whom you speak and encourage! Enjoy your freedoms and in them, encourage them to be brought to all peoples throughout the world. That, is true success and true love to mankind.

In the case of Mel Gibson:In knowing more than several alcoholics, I can attest to the fact that they have said things under the influence that are completely different than the individuals they really are. Alcohol speaks louder and nastier than the person would ever speak and who they really are.Mel Gibson is fighting a battle that others in this same industry have fought over and over again and have been forgiven for over and over.To not forgive Mel and support and encourage him toward his recovery, is sickening.I would refer back to the scriptures in that those without sin may cast the first stone.Let’s look at those who chose to cast stones and look for their sin free lives.You would not find one of them privileged enough to cast any stone!Watch your own lives while condemning others. Someone just may decide to dig up your past indiscretions.Hope your pasts are as clean as you expect others to be!

Oreilly’s already boasting about his Canadian popularity. When he finds out they like the Chicks, will the Canadians be threatened with Freedom Club whiskey and Freedom Dry ginger ale?

The Dixie Chicks bring intelligence as well as real class to music. The opposite of that is Toby Kieth, who preys upon simple people’s naive patriotism to sell records. DC fans love their nation as much or more than TK; they just don’t agree with the buttholes who are in control, and they have the right to say so.

After reading these comments,I wonder if the Dixie Chicks bashers really know what our Freedoms are. If you think that their comments about Bush are hurting our troops mission, then the mission was weak to begin with. Same for Bush, if it weakens him, then he was already weak. I bought my first Dixie Chicks CD when the fascists were burning theirs. Keep up the great work Ladies.

I,m planning to see the Dixie Chicks in Atlanta with my 70 yr old father (he reminded me three times to not forget the Dixie Chicks Tickets) and partner of 9 yrs. I love their music and thank them for making ” SUCH A BEAUTIFUL NOISE.”

I can’t stand DC because they tend to spit on the very freedoms that people have died to give them. It would be one thing if they were contributing to correcting some of the world’s problems. The problem with musicians getting political is that they don’t do anything more than incite some ugly word fights. They haven’t contibuted anything past a few catchy tunes. That’s why people don’t like them. Past whether or not I support Pres. Bush or not, the point is that DC mouths off about things they have little to no knowledge about and then do nothing to help resolve the problem. My support goes to musicians like Bono who actively work to correct the injustices of the world

isn’t it a little bit scary that a few owners of a lot of radio stations can so completely control what we as free Americans can listen to on public stations? I just can’t believe that such a talanted musical group can be blackballed so completely in a “free” country.I wonder what could be next,maybe high gasoline prices and an unending mid-east war so that our economy stays “strong”.

Glad I have chance to express my admiration for those magnificent “women”. They are the epitomy of womanhood and truly great Americans.We need more people willing to speak out. As for those so call Americans who boycott their music and think that speaking out is unpatriotic, read your constitution if you dare.Or pack your bags and go to a country where there is no “Bill of rights”. I watched the Dixie Chicks on Larry King, and words cannot express my delight as they are the real deal.
Love you women. Keep singing and talking. You carry lots of clout and your patriotism is what this country is built on. Least we forget McCarthyism.

I wonder if a single sentence regarding the Dixie Chicks had ever appeared in Rolling Stone before Natalie uttered those now infamous words in London? Probably not, which proves that you guys are only writing about them because of the political views they proclaim. This used to be a music magazine, now its just another useless, left-wing rag.

I really get a kick out of you Anti-Chick Repugs. The Dixie Chicks don’t know what they’re talking about but you do. Soldiers have died defending the Chicks right to speak but they shouldn’t say things you disagree with. The Chicks are traitors and THEIR words, not Bush and his failed policies, place our soldiers at risk. Starting with a fixed number of tour dates and ending with the same number is somehow worse. A #1 selling cd is a failure. The list goes on and on. I’ll bet each and every one of you is among the 32 percent of knuckle dragging Americans who still support our Chimp in Chief and his failed policies.

You people just don’t get it. It’s the Dixie Chicks with their closed minds and their evil words that are spewing and inciting hate. You are falling for their strategy of continuing with it to sucker you all into supporting them and getting the liberal media to hail them.

You people just don’t get it. It’s the Dixie Chicks with their closed minds and their evil words that are spewing and inciting hate. You are falling for their strategy of continuing with it to sucker you all into supporting them and getting the liberal media to hail them

The Dixie Chicks have hatched an evil plot to … Oh, forget it!!!Mike, take a step back from the screen, take a deep breath, and try to see just how ridiculous you sound.

J BUNK…They have contributed music. There aren’t many musicians out there that give back. Bono , yes he does alot of work but did you know that the DC donated over a million dollars to the RED CROSS and the Red Cross turned them down. That wasn’t the only charity they tried to give money to, there were 2 more. I’ll have to find the article about it. I think it was in TIME. They also offer to perform at charity raising events and the charities don’t want them. A percentage of all their earnings from their concerts go to different charities. That part isn’t said about the Chicks.

First, I love the Chicks. I saw them in DC last week and they were just fabulous, as they always are in concert and on records. These women are true entertainers and are dynamic on stage.
Have to clear up the Red Cross thing though…I am a life long blood and pheresis donor, and when I heard the Red Cross turned them down I called the Red Cross PR people to tell them that they would be now one pint less of O- blood because of their refusal of money from the Chicks. They immediately got back to me and said they had to turn down the money because the donation was conditional on them being a sponsor of the Chicks, and they cannot sponsor anyone.
Another thing….how come Johnny Depp can say “”America is dumb, it’s like a dumb puppy that has big teeth that can bite and hurt you, aggressive. My daughter is four, my boy is one. I’d like them to see America as a toy, a broken toy. Investigate it a little, check it out, get this feeling and then get out.” and Mel Gibson can give anti semetic remarks, and everyone STILL goes to their movies! But Natalie opens her mouth and people go after her like a pit bull. The american public is picking on them because they are female, and females are easier to push around than males. What a bunch of bullies. Sure, what she said about patriotism did not rest well with me, but I spent 8 years in the military fighting for her right to say it. I do wish Natalie would try living in another country for a bit to get a good idea of how great this country is. I can see why she is frustrated though. The Chicks were handed a very raw deal, and I hope they just keep putting out fabulous music so that they can throw all the crap they have been getting down the country and western music association’s throat.

While we are asked to remember the men and women who have “fight and died” for our freedoms, let’s keep two things in mind:

(1) There are many ways to “fight” for freedom, most of them don’t require firing a weapon. Martin Luther King fought and died for our freedoms, as did many brave men and women who fought against segregation and hatred in the US, and those who fought–without firing a shot–for the rights of the poor and the dispossessed and the outcast in our society. In India, Gandhi and his followers liberated their nation without taking up arms. When the Dixie Chicks speak their mind, taking substantial risk to themselves, both financially, and sadly, personally, they are “fighting” for a cherished freedom in this country, freedom of speech and expression. Freedom to speak is not merely the freedom to say things that everyone likes or agrees with.

(2) Without diminishing the well-meaning sacrifice that the vast majority of men and women willingly volunteer for when they join the US military forces, it is also important to recognise that while these men and women may be fighting because of the ideals and beliefs that they hold, it is simplistic and wrong to assume that our military, as a tool of foreign policy, has always been used to “fight for freedom.” The US military, like the militaries of other countries, is used to accomplish a variety of foreign policy objectives, some of them good, some bad, some morally neutral but seen to “serve the interests” of the US. We should be aware of the substantial gray area that surrounds the morality of the use of force and not merely accept a “saints and martyrs” view of our armed forces. Countries elevate the warrior into a diety at their peril. The examples of Germany and Japan, and all of the major powers during the bloodbath that was World War I should give pause.

They have gone totally mad! Its a shame great voices and no brains!!!!

It sure is funny that all off you people stick up for the dixie chicks,but here it is in 2009 had what they did has washed them out.They are nothing any more .Next time they will keep their big mouths on music rather than politics