Dixie Chicks Have No Regrets Over Controversy That Changed Their Career
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It’s been 17 years since the Dixie Chicks’ career imploded after Natalie Maines made a comment criticizing then-President Bush on stage at a London show, and now they are opening up about the controversy in a new interview with "Allure."
"I wanted the audience to know who we were and what we were about," Natalie shared about the incident. “I do not like when artists get on their soapbox — it's not what people are there for,” she added, “They're there to listen to your music,” but, "the politics of this band is inseparable from the music.”
As for whether she has any regrets about the whole thing, she notes, “I have no regrets, but the responsible part of me doesn't want to put people through s---.” She does add though, "Well, I always wish I had said something smarter!,” noting, "But when I think back, it's like that movie ‘Sliding Doors,’ right? Where would we be today if I hadn't said that? That's interesting. I really don't know if I would take it back."
- Interestingly, when the interview was conducted the writer notes that the band wasn’t allowed to talk about their new album “Gaslighter," but Emily Strayer did offer, “I'm so proud of this album. No matter what happens with it. It might be a slow burn; it might be a quick burn. I don't know, but it will find its way to our fans.” She adds, “No matter what happens with all the radio or outlets or whatever, it'll make its way."
- As for whether country music will embrace them, it sounds like they don’t care. When asked if they still feel a part of country, Natalie replied, “No, absolutely not," adding, "When we started doing this music, I liked the people in our industry. We always waved that country flag when people would say it wasn't cool. And then to see how quickly the entire industry turned on us...”
- ONE MORE THING! Whether they think the are country or not, it looks like country music may be welcoming them back in. According to Rolling Stone, iHeartRadio has thrown their support behind the Chicks’ latest single “Gaslighter,” which got close to 750 plays in less than 48 hours on their radio stations. In fact, 70% of spins in the first week came on iHeart stations.
- And...the Dixie Chicks were also featured on a "CBS Sunday Morning" profile, where they talked about their new song "Gaslighter," as well as their bond. When asked how they work together so well, Natalie shared, "I don't know; it is so lucky," adding, "I like so few people, it's amazing. It's meant to be. It just really is meant to be. We don't have to try."
Source: Allure
