Monday, January 08, 2007

Dixie Chicks: Win Grammy Nominations, Lose Country Radio Airplay


Fort Myers "Media Matters" columnist Chris Wadsworth asked a few South Florida programmers a question he says he already knew the answer to and was not surprised by the answers:

They're not on our playlist at all. They're just deadly right now," said Randy Marsh, who oversees programming for U.S. 98.5. "I think you'll find that at nearly every country station in the country. Fans are just turned off by the Dixie Chicks and their political commentary."

We don't really have an official policy," said Mark Wilson, program director at Cat Country 100. "We basically play the songs that test well and unfortunately, their songs just don't test
well."


"We didn't really ban them per se, but like most of the other country stations, the hate scores on the music they put out has come out so high that it makes it impossible to play them," said Mark Phillips, programming head at Gator Country 101.9. "They had a bunch of great songs that tested power gold — that's our top oldies category — and when you take out all those songs at once, it leaves a giant vacuum in your music library."

I do know whether to pity or admire their steadfastness and can't help but wonder how long the group can stay together in the midst of this intense scrutiny and pressure, while literally gro$$ing about half what they once did.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

The below link is an Article published by Radio & Records. It highlights the lengths of deception the chicks have gone to to try and convince people that their rights were somehow violated and that people conspired against them. In all actuality, it is the chicks who conspired against the American people.

http://pdf.rronline.com/Cou/COU-20060619-3150.pdf?

Anonymous said...

Natalie Maines on being "country"


For me to be in country music to begin with was not who I was. I liked Martie and Emily's playing, but I did not grow up liking country music. And I guess I was ignorant to the fact that the stereotypes behind country music were true - and it was disappointing. And so at this stage, I can never... I would be cheating myself and not setting a good example for my children to go back to something that I don't wholeheartedly believe in. So I'm pretty much done. They've shown their true colors. I like lots of country music, but as far as the industry and everything that happened... I couldn't want to be farther away from that. And it's easier when you're financially set, because you can be a little more ballsy, and just do what you want to do." Natalie Maines

Anonymous said...

Martie Maguire on no longer being able to sell 10 million albums:

"Maybe Im a snob, but stuff that sells the best, usually isnt the best stuff. How many records does Sheryl Crow sell? Not 10 million. Maybe its snotty to say, but the popular stuff is the crappiest." Martie Maguire

Anonymous said...

Natalie Maines on loving her country:

"A lot of pandering started going on, and you'd see soldiers and the American flag in every video. It became a sickening display of ultra-patriotism."

"The entire country may disagree with me, but I don't understand the necessity for patriotism," [Natalie] Maines resumes, through gritted teeth. "Why do you have to be a patriot? About what? This land is our land? Why? You can like where you live and like your life, but as for loving the whole country... I don't see why people care about patriotism."