Comments on: Stand Up and Shout! (How the Dixie Chicks won 5 Grammys for refusing to shut up and sing, and why it matters to you.) http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/14/stand-up-and-shout-how-the-dixie-chicks-won-5-grammys-for-refusing-to-shut-up-and-sing-and-why-it-matters-to-you/ About the craft and business of genre fiction Sat, 30 Aug 2008 01:08:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Jan http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/14/stand-up-and-shout-how-the-dixie-chicks-won-5-grammys-for-refusing-to-shut-up-and-sing-and-why-it-matters-to-you/#comment-4428 Sat, 17 Feb 2007 00:16:06 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/14/stand-up-and-shout-how-the-dixie-chicks-won-5-grammys-for-refusing-to-shut-up-and-sing-and-why-it-matters-to-you/#comment-4428 Yep! and it that same film (Protesting the Dixie Chicks), they do reference the Beatles incident. Yep! and it that same film (Protesting the Dixie Chicks), they do reference the Beatles incident.

]]> by: Therese Walsh http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/14/stand-up-and-shout-how-the-dixie-chicks-won-5-grammys-for-refusing-to-shut-up-and-sing-and-why-it-matters-to-you/#comment-4363 Thu, 15 Feb 2007 15:05:58 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/14/stand-up-and-shout-how-the-dixie-chicks-won-5-grammys-for-refusing-to-shut-up-and-sing-and-why-it-matters-to-you/#comment-4363 Interesting clip, Jan. I couldn't help but be reminded of those old videos of Beatles fans breaking and burning the group's records after John Lennon claimed to be more popular than Jesus. (I wonder if those same 'fans' hold tight to their anger today?) There will always be extremists, but I think that, in general, people respect others for saying what they think. And when there's conflict about it, it can spark discourse, and that discourse can lead to new thoughts, feelings and directions - unboxing, I think you could say. I'm glad so many have chimed in on this. Great topic, Marsha. Interesting clip, Jan. I couldn’t help but be reminded of those old videos of Beatles fans breaking and burning the group’s records after John Lennon claimed to be more popular than Jesus. (I wonder if those same ‘fans’ hold tight to their anger today?) There will always be extremists, but I think that, in general, people respect others for saying what they think. And when there’s conflict about it, it can spark discourse, and that discourse can lead to new thoughts, feelings and directions - unboxing, I think you could say.

I’m glad so many have chimed in on this. Great topic, Marsha.

]]> by: Kathleen Bolton http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/14/stand-up-and-shout-how-the-dixie-chicks-won-5-grammys-for-refusing-to-shut-up-and-sing-and-why-it-matters-to-you/#comment-4358 Thu, 15 Feb 2007 11:36:30 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/14/stand-up-and-shout-how-the-dixie-chicks-won-5-grammys-for-refusing-to-shut-up-and-sing-and-why-it-matters-to-you/#comment-4358 Chiming in late.... I think what's courageous about the Chicks was that they fought against expectations at a time when their fanbase was rabidly, militantly on the political right. It really took guts for them to stand by their words and their position without caving into the pressure to "make nice". I totally expected them to issue a "words were taken out of context" press release. Didn't you? Didn't everyone? There's a price to be paid for integrity, artistic or otherwise. Yes, the Chicks survived their moment, but there are thousands of others who didn't. God bless 'em for standing up for their rights as well. Chiming in late….
I think what’s courageous about the Chicks was that they fought against expectations at a time when their fanbase was rabidly, militantly on the political right. It really took guts for them to stand by their words and their position without caving into the pressure to “make nice”. I totally expected them to issue a “words were taken out of context” press release. Didn’t you? Didn’t everyone?

There’s a price to be paid for integrity, artistic or otherwise. Yes, the Chicks survived their moment, but there are thousands of others who didn’t. God bless ‘em for standing up for their rights as well.

]]> by: Jan http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/14/stand-up-and-shout-how-the-dixie-chicks-won-5-grammys-for-refusing-to-shut-up-and-sing-and-why-it-matters-to-you/#comment-4343 Thu, 15 Feb 2007 03:59:32 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/14/stand-up-and-shout-how-the-dixie-chicks-won-5-grammys-for-refusing-to-shut-up-and-sing-and-why-it-matters-to-you/#comment-4343 I’m interested to see what this adds to the dialog. Curious stuff in this independent film! : <a href="http://www.protestingthedixiechicks.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.protestingthedixiechicks.com</a> <a href="http://myspace.com/protestingthedixiechicks" rel="nofollow">http://myspace.com/protestingthedixiechicks</a> I’m interested to see what this adds to the dialog. Curious stuff in this independent film! :

http://www.protestingthedixiechicks.com
http://myspace.com/protestingthedixiechicks

]]> by: Jason http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/14/stand-up-and-shout-how-the-dixie-chicks-won-5-grammys-for-refusing-to-shut-up-and-sing-and-why-it-matters-to-you/#comment-4332 Wed, 14 Feb 2007 23:00:36 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/14/stand-up-and-shout-how-the-dixie-chicks-won-5-grammys-for-refusing-to-shut-up-and-sing-and-why-it-matters-to-you/#comment-4332 Hi, I usually just lurk around here, but... I don't see what the big deal was about what the Dixie Chicks said about the President either. How many comedians have gone after the president over and over again? On Comedy Central, John Stewart does it every night. On CC's program Last Laugh '06, the public voted Bush this years "Biggest Tool." Lewis Black, Frank Caliendo, and tons of others, all jabbing the president. I totally agree, we need our first amendment rights, especially those of us who do (or want to) support ourselves through our voice. Jason Hi, I usually just lurk around here, but…

I don’t see what the big deal was about what the Dixie Chicks said about the President either. How many comedians have gone after the president over and over again? On Comedy Central, John Stewart does it every night. On CC’s program Last Laugh ‘06, the public voted Bush this years “Biggest Tool.” Lewis Black, Frank Caliendo, and tons of others, all jabbing the president.

I totally agree, we need our first amendment rights, especially those of us who do (or want to) support ourselves through our voice.

Jason

]]> by: Melissa Marsh http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/14/stand-up-and-shout-how-the-dixie-chicks-won-5-grammys-for-refusing-to-shut-up-and-sing-and-why-it-matters-to-you/#comment-4331 Wed, 14 Feb 2007 22:33:13 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/14/stand-up-and-shout-how-the-dixie-chicks-won-5-grammys-for-refusing-to-shut-up-and-sing-and-why-it-matters-to-you/#comment-4331 Not a fan of the Dixie Chicks and I didn't watch the Grammy's, but I do believe in freedom of expression. Not a fan of the Dixie Chicks and I didn’t watch the Grammy’s, but I do believe in freedom of expression.

]]> by: bookbabie http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/14/stand-up-and-shout-how-the-dixie-chicks-won-5-grammys-for-refusing-to-shut-up-and-sing-and-why-it-matters-to-you/#comment-4330 Wed, 14 Feb 2007 22:17:48 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/14/stand-up-and-shout-how-the-dixie-chicks-won-5-grammys-for-refusing-to-shut-up-and-sing-and-why-it-matters-to-you/#comment-4330 Last month I was about to leave a comment on a blog that was critical of the current administration. Nothing threatening mind you, just a comment. And I actually hestitated, worried about who might read it. The whole censorship thing really hit me at that moment. I was afraid of my own government. Me, a mom, wife, writer, blogger...just a regular old citizen. I am 47 years old and I have never felt that way before. It doesn't matter whether you like what the Dixie Chicks said, or whether you are a republican or a democrat, we should not be afraid of letting our voices be heard. Period. Last month I was about to leave a comment on a blog that was critical of the current administration. Nothing threatening mind you, just a comment. And I actually hestitated, worried about who might read it. The whole censorship thing really hit me at that moment. I was afraid of my own government. Me, a mom, wife, writer, blogger…just a regular old citizen. I am 47 years old and I have never felt that way before. It doesn’t matter whether you like what the Dixie Chicks said, or whether you are a republican or a democrat, we should not be afraid of letting our voices be heard. Period.

]]> by: thea mcginnis http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/14/stand-up-and-shout-how-the-dixie-chicks-won-5-grammys-for-refusing-to-shut-up-and-sing-and-why-it-matters-to-you/#comment-4326 Wed, 14 Feb 2007 20:51:49 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/14/stand-up-and-shout-how-the-dixie-chicks-won-5-grammys-for-refusing-to-shut-up-and-sing-and-why-it-matters-to-you/#comment-4326 well, i still like the dixie chicks, they are amazingly talented, esp. the fiddlers. i don't agree with what natalie maines said but hey, its America. But U2 is very political, and they've won a poop load of grammy's and i am pretty sure no record company 'bought' the grammies for them. hey maybe it was a political vote that got the d.c.'s the grammies, but who cares about the grammies anyway. look how many people have won them and then we've never heard from the again. like who was that group...oh yeah, hootie and the blowfish. what ever happened to them? well, i still like the dixie chicks, they are amazingly talented, esp. the fiddlers. i don’t agree with what natalie maines said but hey, its America. But U2 is very political, and they’ve won a poop load of grammy’s and i am pretty sure no record company ‘bought’ the grammies for them. hey maybe it was a political vote that got the d.c.’s the grammies, but who cares about the grammies anyway. look how many people have won them and then we’ve never heard from the again. like who was that group…oh yeah, hootie and the blowfish. what ever happened to them?

]]> by: Mary Castillo http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/14/stand-up-and-shout-how-the-dixie-chicks-won-5-grammys-for-refusing-to-shut-up-and-sing-and-why-it-matters-to-you/#comment-4325 Wed, 14 Feb 2007 20:51:06 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/14/stand-up-and-shout-how-the-dixie-chicks-won-5-grammys-for-refusing-to-shut-up-and-sing-and-why-it-matters-to-you/#comment-4325 I was flabbergasted by the argument that the Dixie Chicks were unpatriotic by merely saying that they were embarassed that our president was from Texas. They didn't say kill the president or spit on soldiers sent to Iraq. They simply expressed an opinion that is protected by our First Amendment, perhaps the most cherished right of the builders of the constitution. So in my opinion, the Dixie Chicks did the most patriotic, most American thing one could ever do. I, for one, cheered when they won. That album is their best work to date and it's one that I'll be playing 20 years from now. Mary C. I was flabbergasted by the argument that the Dixie Chicks were unpatriotic by merely saying that they were embarassed that our president was from Texas. They didn’t say kill the president or spit on soldiers sent to Iraq. They simply expressed an opinion that is protected by our First Amendment, perhaps the most cherished right of the builders of the constitution.

So in my opinion, the Dixie Chicks did the most patriotic, most American thing one could ever do. I, for one, cheered when they won. That album is their best work to date and it’s one that I’ll be playing 20 years from now.

Mary C.

]]> by: Therese Walsh http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/14/stand-up-and-shout-how-the-dixie-chicks-won-5-grammys-for-refusing-to-shut-up-and-sing-and-why-it-matters-to-you/#comment-4324 Wed, 14 Feb 2007 20:43:21 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/14/stand-up-and-shout-how-the-dixie-chicks-won-5-grammys-for-refusing-to-shut-up-and-sing-and-why-it-matters-to-you/#comment-4324 Who knows what happens in any industry's dark alleys, really? It's still important to express ourselves without having to worry about censorship. And if the DCs have alienated themselves from "half of the public," my guess is they've endeared themselves to the other half. Who knows what happens in any industry’s dark alleys, really? It’s still important to express ourselves without having to worry about censorship. And if the DCs have alienated themselves from “half of the public,” my guess is they’ve endeared themselves to the other half.

]]> by: Marsha Moyer http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/14/stand-up-and-shout-how-the-dixie-chicks-won-5-grammys-for-refusing-to-shut-up-and-sing-and-why-it-matters-to-you/#comment-4323 Wed, 14 Feb 2007 20:34:14 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/14/stand-up-and-shout-how-the-dixie-chicks-won-5-grammys-for-refusing-to-shut-up-and-sing-and-why-it-matters-to-you/#comment-4323 If Columbia Records was able to "buy" Grammys for the Dixie Chicks, why didn't they "buy" country radio and sell several million records instead? Even if what Mr. Gordon says is true, the record company stuck its neck out to support its artists, and that's a good thing for those of us who make our living expressing ourselves creatively. If Columbia Records was able to “buy” Grammys for the Dixie Chicks, why didn’t they “buy” country radio and sell several million records instead? Even if what Mr. Gordon says is true, the record company stuck its neck out to support its artists, and that’s a good thing for those of us who make our living expressing ourselves creatively.

]]> by: Mark Gordon http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/14/stand-up-and-shout-how-the-dixie-chicks-won-5-grammys-for-refusing-to-shut-up-and-sing-and-why-it-matters-to-you/#comment-4317 Wed, 14 Feb 2007 17:24:14 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/14/stand-up-and-shout-how-the-dixie-chicks-won-5-grammys-for-refusing-to-shut-up-and-sing-and-why-it-matters-to-you/#comment-4317 It is now obvious that the Grammy's can be bought. If that were not the case, the Dixie Chicks would not have won anything. Let's face it. They have had little or no substantial radio play. Their CD and Concert sales have slumped. They are loathed by nearly all of the Country Music Fans and almost half of the public. We have been in the music business for a long time and don't know of anyone that voted for them. Their only hope for continuing sales was to have the group win some grammys (which the record company felt worthy of investing in (probably heavily). The truth is that when an artist decides to become political, the public has the right to "vote" for or against them. The public voted. The Grammys, however, were a paid political announcement. It is now obvious that the Grammy’s can be bought. If that were not the case, the Dixie Chicks would not have won anything. Let’s face it. They have had little or no substantial radio play. Their CD and Concert sales have slumped. They are loathed by nearly all of the Country Music Fans and almost half of the public. We have been in the music business for a long time and don’t know of anyone that voted for them. Their only hope for continuing sales was to have the group win some grammys (which the record company felt worthy of investing in (probably heavily). The truth is that when an artist decides to become political, the public has the right to “vote” for or against them. The public voted. The Grammys, however, were a paid political announcement.

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