Update: Dixie Chicks turn death threats to song

March 26, 2006

Dixie Chicks turn death threats to song

Oliver Burkeman in New York

Saturday March 25, 2006

The Guardian

Three years is a long time in geopolitics. In 2003 the Dixie Chicks were

condemned as traitors in America after telling a London audience they

were ashamed that their president came from Texas. Now the group's angry

new song addressing that controversy looks set to become a hit.

Not Ready to Make Nice, due to be released in May, refers to death

threats the three Texans received after the Guardian reported how they

had criticised George Bush during a concert at the Shepherd's Bush

Empire. " Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United

States is from Texas, " singer Natalie Maines told the audience.

Numerous US radio stations removed the group from their playlists. " In

my book the Dixie Chicks are traitors, " one columnist wrote at the time.

" Not only to America but also to everything good that country music

stands for. "

But that was in a year when Mr Bush, who actually comes from

Connecticut, enjoyed approval ratings of up to 70%. This month his

rating reached a new low of 36%, according to a CNN/Gallup poll.

The song's lyrics pull no punches: " Forgive, sounds good/Forget, I'm not

sure I could/They say time heals everything/ But I'm still waiting ...

And how in the world can the words that I said/Send somebody so over the

edge/That they'd write me a letter/Sayin' that I better shut up and

sing/Or my life will be over? "

Some Texas stations still refuse to air the group's music, but those

that have played it say it has been well received, and Billboard Radio

Monitor predicts a hit.

Maines describes the album as " pure therapy " . " I'm way more at peace

now. Writing these songs and saying everything we had to say makes it

possible to move on, " she says on the Dixie Chicks website.

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