Dixie Chicks Mix (up)
Posted by: Jared
OK, so I'm back after a short unintended vacation (sorry, my thesis was/is calling). And I'm really torqued about the Grammys. As a sometimes-student of pop culture, I always attempt to look at things "objectively", but this went just too far.
As a sometimes listener to (good) country music, I am especially offended that the Dixie Chicks received the Grammy for "Best Country Performance by a Duo/Group"! THEY AREN'T EVER PLAYED ON COUNTRY STATIONS! For some of my more "saved" brothers and sisters who have never soiled their minds with the debauched revelries of country and don't know the story, the whole controversy started when the Dixie Chicks spoke out against GW and the war in Iraq. Well, country music fans wouldn't be characterized as "unpatriotic". The Dixie Chicks really took a thrashing, especially from Toby Keith; it was pretty spectacular. It made Yoko Ono look like a good thing for the Beatles.
Now, I really don't care if people agree/disagree with Bush's politics; but to make decisions such as these with such blatant political motivations (aren't the Grammys supposed to be about artistic achievement and all that?) and in direct contravention of the expressed will of the targeted audience (if it's such a "great" album and country song, why is it never played on country stations?) is the hallmark of complete, disconnected and even irrational arrogance.
So, those of you who do the "I buy the Grammy's 'Album of the Year' so I can hear what's new and fresh in music" thing, just remember-this year, you're listening to politics cheaply disguised as "art". You're listening to "country" music as NYC and LA -not true "country" people-define it. I'm really miffed, and I'm still "Not Ready to Make Nice Yet".
Ok, I feel a little better now. Breathe, relax; breathe, relax! I wonder, has Bono ever written a country song . . . (JK)
OK, so I'm back after a short unintended vacation (sorry, my thesis was/is calling). And I'm really torqued about the Grammys. As a sometimes-student of pop culture, I always attempt to look at things "objectively", but this went just too far.
As a sometimes listener to (good) country music, I am especially offended that the Dixie Chicks received the Grammy for "Best Country Performance by a Duo/Group"! THEY AREN'T EVER PLAYED ON COUNTRY STATIONS! For some of my more "saved" brothers and sisters who have never soiled their minds with the debauched revelries of country and don't know the story, the whole controversy started when the Dixie Chicks spoke out against GW and the war in Iraq. Well, country music fans wouldn't be characterized as "unpatriotic". The Dixie Chicks really took a thrashing, especially from Toby Keith; it was pretty spectacular. It made Yoko Ono look like a good thing for the Beatles.
Now, I really don't care if people agree/disagree with Bush's politics; but to make decisions such as these with such blatant political motivations (aren't the Grammys supposed to be about artistic achievement and all that?) and in direct contravention of the expressed will of the targeted audience (if it's such a "great" album and country song, why is it never played on country stations?) is the hallmark of complete, disconnected and even irrational arrogance.
So, those of you who do the "I buy the Grammy's 'Album of the Year' so I can hear what's new and fresh in music" thing, just remember-this year, you're listening to politics cheaply disguised as "art". You're listening to "country" music as NYC and LA -not true "country" people-define it. I'm really miffed, and I'm still "Not Ready to Make Nice Yet".
Ok, I feel a little better now. Breathe, relax; breathe, relax! I wonder, has Bono ever written a country song . . . (JK)
great post - Dixie Chicks my big foot.
Posted by
Liz |
Tue Feb 20, 01:33:00 PM 2007
i totally agree completely. i was watching the grammys feeling like i was at a political rally. they even said when interview back stage "it's a great night for free speech. it's like they're saying free speech is still ok in this country," (not a direct quote, but pretty close) and i wanted to ask what on earth their politics had to do with good music. because the answer is easy: NOTHING! thanks for being as miffed as i was jared!
Posted by
SarahK |
Tue Feb 20, 05:06:00 PM 2007
Personally, I like the Dixie Chicks and had no problem with them voicing their opinion. However, when I watched the Grammy's and they were nominated for an award, I said "I didn't think their album was doing any good. I haven't heard anything except that one song." I too was shocked to see them winning all those awards knowing that their newest CD wasn't that popular.
Posted by
Kim |
Wed Feb 21, 06:27:00 PM 2007