And you agree with everyone else, right?

[kjc_texas]

I wasn't going to say anything about this because I'm a little too worked up to present a solid or eloquent opinion. And I don't usually get into stuff like this in my journal. However, this just keeps swimming around in my head and I'm not going to get any work done today if I don't get it off my chest.

Comments

[kjc_texas]

Oh, I understand the business part of it, but I don't think the controversy was a big ratings boost. The only people who probably knew about this were people who already listened to the radio station. As far as I know, the other Infinity Broadcasting stations didn't say anything about it (I listen to their sister news station and nothing was mentioned on CBS). Plus, the vote started yesterday and ended this morning, so they didn't even drag it out to get more publicity.

I just don't see why they bothered if they weren't prepared for either outcome of the vote. I just don't think it's good business to make an issue out of it at all.

[dubiously]

*munches on cookies*

I had absolutely no idea this was going on. I never listen to the country radio stations here in Dallas, so I guess that's how I missed it. Do you know if any of the other radio stations here will be playing the song? Almost all of the stations around here are owned by Clear Channel, so if one station plays the song and listeners switch to another, odds are in favor of them still contributing ratings to the same conglomerate. I think Dakota is right; it may just be an attempt to stir up controversy and boost ratings. However, I can see where the bigger picture here would really gnaw at you

[kjc_texas]

Actually, it wasn't a country station (I don't listen to country stations either). It was 103.7 (they're owned by Infinity Broadcasting). They just started the vote yesterday, so I don't think there was any publicity about it. I didn't hear about it until I was flipping through stations this morning.

[dubiously]

I see. So it's a smaller company then. Yes, I can see where they are concerned about losing their listeners to the other stations.

[nadiafox]

I love the Dixie Chicks, and I was floored by all the drama that happened, and that it's still going on. I will admit, though, it actually made me dislike Toby Keith a little. I thought he was acting like a child. He writes songs about freedom, but selectively chose to ignore the Freedom of Speech for someone else.

My first reaction is that that radio station was really stupid to call a vote on that (but I agree with dakota-- it's publicity.) Second-- playing it once is weak, lame and pretty much lying to the majority. People take musicians too seriously (or the musicians take themselves far too seriously.) They are just entertainers, just because they're famous doesn't mean their opinions matter any more than mine or yours. I wish the DC had thought before they spoke, but shit happens.

*puts down bullhorn* :)

[kjc_texas]

I hear ya. What I think is even more stupid than calling for the vote is that they didn't get any publicity out of it.

I wish they had thought before they spoke, too, but who would figure there would still be controversy about it?

[magickly]

I really effing hate it that the Dixie Chicks somehow are the ones who get crap for having an opinion....while people like Willie Nelson and whoever that was, Toby Keith? get a free ticket to sing that goddamn song Beer for my Horses. Which got a free pass, even though it glorifies a 'kill 'em all' mindset which HORRIFIES me and should horrify anyone else who believes in crazy stuff like 'innocent until proven guilty'.

The Dixie Chicks don't deserve the guff they get at all. I have their last album, Home, which I loved. Perhaps I'll be getting this album too.

[kjc_texas]

I was shocked people were still so upset about Natalie Maines' comment. I think it's the hypocrisy of it all that gets to me. And the absurdity. And the ignorance.

[kimmyray]

Yeah, it was Toby Keith and Willie Nelson. I couldn't believe that a song that features lyrics like

Take all the rope in Texas
Find a tall oak tree, round up all of them bad boys
Hang them high in the street
For all the people to see

was greeted with hardly any controversy, while Natalie Maines says "I'm ashamed that the President is from Texas" and they're still being widely shunned three years later.

[kjc_texas]

Holy crap. I didn't pay that close attention when this happened and I hadn't heard all the lyrics to that song. That makes me nauseous.

[smartertm]

I'm with you, kt--if you're going to shun a group for their beliefs, that's fine as long as you're willing to go across the board and examine the conduct and beliefs of all the groups you listen to. I actually admire people who take a moral stand and apply it consistently, even if it's not a line I agree with. And I really like that the Dixie Chicks aren't backing down from what Natalie said and are sticking to their guns. I can't articulate how much the whole situation offends me--not what was said, but the reaction to it--and it is ranking right up there on my list of STUPID with "Freedom Fries." As for this radio station, the whole vote thing is just a CYA way to avoid what they must have figured would be a flood of complaints by hiding behind "the voice of the people." And then they were taken by surprise by the majority wanting to have it played, so they had to come up with a compromise. WTFever. No one really values the freedom of speech until they think theirs is being threatened.

[kjc_texas]

I'm glad they're not backing down, too. I'm sure Natalie had no idea some flip remark would be taken so seriously. I'm still trying to figure out why this particular, adult contemporary radio station even made it an issue. It's not a country station, so I doubt anyone would have wondered why they weren't playing the Dixie Chicks.

[smartertm]

Argh, I just realized that I called you by your Twinsis's name. My bad, sorry!
I heard somewhere that the Dixie Chicks were so pissed off by the whole thing that they were switching from country to rock, which is maybe why the adult contemporary station is playing them? But I have no idea where I heard that, and it might just be total BS. But I never listen to country stations and I've heard some of their stuff, so maybe occasionally they cross over anyway. The line between country and not-country is getting thinner, I think.

[kjc_texas]

I thought it was funny that you called me kt. It cracks me up when people get us mixed up. It's just like my RL family.