Of course it’s relevant. No one was going into stores and libraries and taking all the Dixie Chicks CDs off the shelves and burning them so that their ideas were destroyed and no one else could ever listen to them. That is what book burning has meant, historically, so I would have to say that your comparison of an act of public protest (burning one’s own Chicks CD), however silly, to such historical acts of government censorship and intellectual genocide is silly, and over the top. My comment about flag burning was silly…in fact, tongue-in-cheek. I think most acts of public protest are silly–CD burning, flag burning, bra burning, and career burning public policy commentary by talented, partially-educated singers.</p>
<p>Would you like me to post several thousand words of anti-administration nastiness from this very board? Motes and beams. Pots and kettles. The level of political discourse in this country (and mostly in this BBS) has descended to levels of genuine nastiness not often seen in the US at the national level since the late 19th century.</p>
<p>(And this from a mostly-Republican who thought invading Iraq was a poor policy decision.)</p>
“Taking the Long Way” has sold 1.7 million copies. It is presently #19 on the Billboard Country charts, and has been in the top 25 for 29 weeks. It is #1 on the Amazon.com customer favorites for 2006.</p>
<p>WashDad, no need to re-post any of the anti-administration nastiness from CC. I’ve seen enough of it. As far as I know, no one here was reacting to anyone’s opinion here in the same fashion that those who were riled by the Dixie Chicks. I also don’t recall any protests against singers (Toby Keith) or actors (Matt LeBlanc) who very vocally supported the President. And, did I miss the death threats made against supporters of the fiasco in Iraq?</p>
<p>I do not know that it is fair to say that all, the majority, most or many of those that were offended by the DC’s comments about Texas and the President of the USA have attended lynchings, book burnings, CD burnings or marched behind torches carrying pitchforks dragging their knuckles. </p>
<p>I also believe their crowd rousing comments had nothing to do with the Iraq war. As there wasn’t one at the time. In any case that was not the subject of their ire. </p>
<p>They just didn’t want a stump jumping hillbilly in the White House. A Red-Stater. They are Democrats of the coastal variety mixed up in the wrong music demographic. </p>
<p>I am guessing, and I am merely guessing, that the rejection of the Chicks by their natural fans involved being troubled by one of your own; country music types (a genre which is by definition about ‘your country,’ not the United Nations et al) do not generally go for having their country or president dissed overseas. They were playing to the cheap seats, overseas. This is hardly a courageous position for the Chicks to take in…London, or Paris. </p>
<p>Maybe in Nashville.</p>
<p>As I recall they were outted for this at the time. They were not playing this routine in the States…they weren’t stupid. That would have hurt record sales.</p>
<p>By then, they had to decide either to admit that this was probably overseas grandstanding (an unlikely act by the ever irritated and important Ms Manes) or see whether not they could seem unpatriotic–by the terms of their own demographic–and still hope that a white knight, like NPR, would hold their nose and play the hillbilly music of the Chicks, thus keeping their name in the hot-lights of fame with the continental breakfast crowd. </p>
<p>Of course NPR is cut from the same cloth so I wish the Chicks well now that they are singing the same song in a different choir: one that shares their liberalist views. </p>
<p>I happen to loathe country music (as a “blue stater”) but I have red state friends who can’t stand it either, as well as friends in my neck of the woods who love the genre.</p>
<p>“I also believe their crowd rousing comments had nothing to do with the Iraq war. As there wasnt one at the time.”</p>
<p>Well, that is surprising logic. I guess the millions of people protesting around the world, including in England, on February 15, 2003 (a month before Maines’ controversial comment) also had nothing to do with the Iraq war? As there wasn’t one at the time?</p>
<p>All three Chicks grew up in Texas, although one was born, like the president, in New England. I don’t think this can be distilled into bigotry against red states. If they didn’t see themselves as Texans, why would they be ashamed that the president is one too? As an Illinoisan, I’m not ashamed he’s from Texas. (On the other hand, I am ashamed that he’s a Harvard graduate.)</p>
Really? That’s too bad. You loathe Vassar Clements, Earl Scruggs, John Hartford, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill, Kelly Willis, Albert Lee, The Amazing Rhythm Aces,et al.? The level of musicianship found among Nashville and Austin session players is extraordinary.</p>
<p>Perhaps a new screen name is in order? -somemusic- -notallmusic- -noflyovermusic-</p>
<p>I did not realize that you have to be from Texas to be ashamed of a Texan. </p>
<p>I’d supposed you could be from Oklahoma, New Mexico or Falujah and feel as equally put upon as a Texan. Even from UMich, if not The Harvard.</p>
<p>You have set a rather high standard for shame. Too high for me.
I’m not sure most of us will be able to meet it without being ashamed of ourselves.</p>
<p>Not to over generalize here, but I also opposed the Iraq war and still do. It is, as most now agree, an unmitigated disaster. The president and his pups have done a terrible job of it.</p>
<p>So, can I also be ashamed?
I’d like to be, even if I see a dip in record sales. </p>
<p>FWIW, I have spent some time in Texas (on my way to Mexico)…though, like the president, I was not born there…or perhaps if I know someone who wears cowboy boots?..or if, as a child, I liked dubbed cowboy movies?..or if I have come to believe that one should not, as they say, “mess with Texas?”</p>
<p>How to describe the shame I feel…in other words…</p>
<p>Bluegrassis not country, and I would not equate some of the names on Whatsa’s list as the “country” I am speaking of.</p>
<p>But I really don’t like typical twangy, slangy country music, and don’t think it shows much in ingenuity or musicianship at all. </p>
<p>However, if you like it, good on you. My likes or dislikes shouldn’t affect your affection or adoration of the genre. I like all GOOD music. And since music is personal, I am still very comfy with my name, thanks.</p>
<p>Bluegrass sho’ ain’t no city music, ah kin tell ya that fo’ sho’.</p>
<p>Albert Lee was Guitar Player Magazine’s choice for “Best Country guitarist” for many years running, and he has played on albums with many “normal” musicians that even puritanical northeasterners would find acceptable.
Someone needs to get out of New England and take a music appreciation course.</p>
<p><goin’ back to sippin’ mah moonshine an’ huntin’ up some grub with ole Duke…after milkin’ ole Blessmysoul, the cow in mah front yard></p>
<p>“I did not realize that you have to be from Texas to be ashamed of a Texan.”</p>
<p>You have to be from Texas to be ashamed THAT HE IS a Texan.</p>
<p>Which is what Maines said. </p>
<p>I’m not ashamed that Bush went to Andover; neither did I. We generally don’t feel personal shame about a foolish or reckless person unless we are connected to them via shared group membership.</p>
<p>Absolutely. Alison Krauss & Emmylou Harris have two of the most perfect voices I’ve ever heard. Even the “sad story” type country songs have a great deal of humor & excellent vocal talents, like Alan Jackson & Randy Travis. Plus, the amount of crossover between genres is wonderful. Classical musicians like Edger Meyer & Mark O’Connell & Yo-Yo Ma regularly play with country & bluegrass artists. We are big traditional Irish music fans (and kids play several instruments in this genre) and so much of that tradition has its roots in Irish music. Have you ever heard the NickelCreek kids? They formed their band as eight year olds & are truely virtuosos.</p>
<p>Do you have to be from the country to be ashamed of a country musician? Or from Texas to be ashamed of a Bob Willis and the Texas Playboy’s recording (he plays self-described Texan music), even if you are a big fan…and he is now dead and you only recently discovered his swinging music?</p>
<p>Do you first have to like country musicians to burn their CD’s?</p>
<p>Do you have to have liked country music to latter disprove of those who bun their country music CD’s?</p>
<p>Do you have to, in fact, like all music to call rightfully hold to the nomdeplume “allmusic?”</p>
<p>…truly, this is some dizzying stuff for a state college grade.</p>
<p>[Do you have to be from Mass to be ashamed of drunk driving senators?]</p>
<p>Can a Jersey girl/Rutgers grad be ashamed of Jim McGreevey while enjoying bluegrass & country & other kinds of folk music? I like cornbread, too. And I once watched cloggers at a county fair & thought they were pretty cool. Not the NYC Ballet, but I enjoyed the show.</p>