The Chicks have no regrets that they became certainly one of the primary targets of the cancellation culture – 20 years after they made a snide remark about former President George W. Bush.
Formerly often called the Dixie Chicks, the country trio consisting of singer Natalie Maines, 48, sisters Martie Maguire, 53, and Emily Strayer, 50, were asked if the politically charged statement was still a “defining episode” within the group’s profession.
“It defines the way in which it set us free,” Maines said Los Angeles Times. “It got us out of a box of country music that we never desired to be in and never felt like we were.”
“We didn’t have to do any of those bulls anymore. It wasn’t like, “Oh, country music, please take us back.” It was the center fingers: “Bye!” she added.
On March 10, 2003, while acting on stage in London, Maines told the audience that the group was “ashamed” that Bush was from their home state of Texas.
“When you knew, we’re on the appropriate side,” Maines said days before the invasion of Iraq. “We don’t need this war, this violence, and we’re ashamed that the president of the USA is from Texas.”
published The Guardian commentary, and The Chicks were quickly shunned by American fans, country radio, and other country artists.
But musical heavyweights comparable to Bruce Springsteen and Madonna supported their right to talk, although Material Girl selected to delay her own war-themed graphic music video for “American Life” after the backlash.
Sales of The Chicks’ music and concert events also plummeted, and iced tea brand Lipton pulled out of a promotional take care of the group.
most important issued an apology days later, saying her remark was “disrespectful” – but she took it back in 2006, saying she didn’t think Bush deserved respect.
Bush reacted to an April 2003 comment by The Chicks arguing that “they’ll say what they think” but “shouldn’t hurt their feelings simply because some people don’t need to purchase their records after they speak out”.
“I do not care what the Dixie Chicks said,” he told broadcaster Tom Brokaw.
“I would like to do what I believe is correct for the American people, and if some singers or Hollywood stars feel like speaking up, that is fantastic. That is great in America.”
In May 2003, The Chicks famously graced a performance at Entertainment Weekly cover naked—with various names the American public apparently called them, including “traitors,” “proud Americans,” “opinions,” and “Dixie Sluts”—printed in fat black letters on their bodies.
The singers of “Not Ready To Make Nice” released a documentary in 2006 about the controversy called “Shut Up and Sing”.
Their 2020 album Gaslighter was the primary in years that The Chicks were welcomed back and accepted by the American public.
That very same 12 months, country singer-turned-pop sensation Taylor Swift, now 33, admitted she was “terrified” to become involved in politics after seeing The Chicks comment “end such a strong reign” .