Here we go again:

Dixie Chicks Remark Irks Country Fans

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP)—The Dixie Chicks are drawing harsh words from country music fans for remarks singer Natalie Maines made about President George W. Bush during a recent performance in London.

Maines told the audience earlier this week, “Just so you know, we’re ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas.’’

Angry phone calls flooded Nashville radio station WKDF-FM on Thursday, some calling for a boycott of the Texas trio’s music.

The group released a statement Thursday saying they have been overseas for several weeks and “the anti-American sentiment that has unfolded here is astounding. While we support our troops, there is nothing more frightening than the notion of going to war with Iraq and the prospect of all the innocent lives that will be lost.’’

In a separate statement Thursday, Maines said, “I feel the president is ignoring the opinion of many in the U.S. and alienating the rest of the world. My comments were made in frustration, and one of the privileges of being an American is you are free to voice your own point of view.’’

The Dixie Chicks will kick off a U.S. tour in support of their multi-platinum album “Home’’ on May 1 in Greenville, South Carolina. The group’s hits include “Wide Open Spaces,’’ “Ready to Run’’ and “Landslide.’‘

I was planning to take a day off on August 1 and go see their concert in Little Rock.  It would have been an opportunity not only to see the concert but to do some sightseeing in Arkansas.  But none of that will happen now.

While they have the right to say whatever they feel, I also have the right to spend my money with whomever I choose.  Perhaps my $65.00 won’t affect them much, but it’s my choice where to put that money.

You’d think, though, that the Dixie Chicks would know better than to make these kinds of statements in an overseas venue.  Country music fans are generally a patriotic bunch and they don’t take kindly to this kind of stuff.  Even if they don’t like the president, they won’t bring it up in front of non-US citizens.