OK, let me see if I’ve got this straight. Country music radio station program managers are upset with Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks because she wore a shirt that had the letters “FUTK” on it while performing at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Most viewers, including awards show presenter Vince Gill, interpreted the letters as an expletive aimed at Keith. After opening the envelope that revealed Keith had won the night’s biggest award — entertainer of the year — Gill quipped, “I think his name was on someone’s shirt tonight.”
For WXTU Philadelphia assistant program director/music director Cadillac Jack, Maines’ shirt was the show’s only disappointment. “With all the patriotism in the air that night, it was a downer and completely unnecessary,” he says. “I was disappointed with them yet again.”
“Just when you think it’s safe to add the Chicks back into rotation,” KZKX Lincoln, Nebraska, PD Brian Jennings says. “Oh, Natalie, why do you make it so hard to love you?”
There’s more bitching and moaning among the PDs after that. OK, fine, what Maines is not what I’d call mature, but do any of these peabrained PDs have a comment about what might have provoked Maines?
In his concerts, Keith has been showing on big screens behind the stage the doctored photo of Maines and Saddam Hussein that began circulating on the Internet a few months ago after Maines criticized Bush.
Frankly, I think a “FUTK” t-shirt is a fairly mild reaction to that. It’s also wholly appropriate. Thanks to TBogg for the catch.
“For WXTU Philadelphia assistant program director/music director Cadillac Jack, Maines’ shirt was the show’s only disappointment. “With all the patriotism in the air that night, it was a downer and completely unnecessary,” he says. “I was disappointed with them yet again.” ”
What has a shirt that reads “FUTK” got to do with patriotism? Is it un-American to express an opinion all of a sudden? It’s not as if all of a sudden you’re going to start seeing country music’s version of the East Coast / West Coast rappers feud.
OK, given what Toby Keith has been doing with the picture at his concert, I don’t see what’s wrong with Natalie Maines’ FUTK shirt. Quite frankly, my shirt would have spelled it out and I would have said it in the microphone.
So two entertainers have at each other in public. What else is new. Get back to bashing Republicans, will you? 馃檪
What’s so funny about all of this to me is that I think Maines has been expressing her opinion in a fairly immature and stupid way. But those who respond to her keep raising her opinions to a higher level by responding to them in an even worse way. If people would just shake their heads and say, “Oh, that silly Natalie is at it again,” it wouldn’t give her such credence. Instead, by banning Dixie Chicks music, and implying she is “unpatriotic” for expressing opinions, they only make themselves look far, far worse than she does.
And, of course, I’m sure they think Keith’s use of the photo at his concert was totally patriotic. Feh.
Natalie set her dumb self for the Saddam joke picture with her stupid remarks. Toby Keith, for the unknowing, made a million dollars off of that “we’ll put a boot in your ass” song. Guess which one country fans identify with more. It’s not too surprising to find TK making some hay with a funny photoshop. It’s not like he’s gonna sell more albums or tickets in Europe by flashing that on the screen at his concerts.
The fun part is that Natalie just can’t stop digging. What should be her natural fan base has turned against her, and the urbanites who think they’re being rootsy by buying their albums and seeing their concerts will be gone next week when the next Hot Thing gets designated by the star-making machinery.*
Now — get back to bashing Righties!
* apologies to Joni Mitchell…
Charles,
I hate for this to turn into a ‘he/she started it’ battle, but the truth is that Maines provoked Keith first. When his song ‘Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue’ was released, Maines erroneously claimed that it targeted all of Arab culture and described it as ‘ignorant.’ Keith responded with his own insult, hence the doctored picture of Maines and Hussein.
So when you say that it was ‘appropriate’ for Maines to wear that t-shirt, you should at least try to keep in mind the context. Maines couldn’t help but lie about and insult Keith’s music, so when she came under fire for insulting Bush overseas, he took the opportunity to repay the favor. If you want to find virtue in that, well, it strikes me as dumb.
It’s Fan Fair week here in the Music City, and today I saw a guy with a “FUDC” t-shirt on. The fun never ends.
Well, Natalie is who she is, and she can’t hide that. She has always been quite outspoken about her views and her opinions and rightly so. Unfortunately from a programming viewpoint getting over her constant fits is neither easily said nor done. The whole scuffle between she and Toby began with her commentary about how immature Toby’s “Angry American” was with its boot reference. Toby rebuked her and it could have ended there, but alas, it was not in the cards. Now we are met with the new country music version of Wimbeldon, all of us radio folk sitting along the sidelines nervously waiting for the next statement to splatter through our fans, and splatter it does. If we play the Chicks, we are damned. If we do not, we are. When we daypart, we find an unhappy medium. We are a military town. Ask the soldiers and their families how they feel. When you do, you too will receive a ninety minute dissertation on patriotism and the Bill of Rights. Please tell me someone has some Motrin.
Well, Natalie is who she is, and she can’t hide that. She has always been quite outspoken about her views and her opinions and rightly so. Unfortunately from a programming viewpoint getting over her constant fits is neither easily said nor done. The whole scuffle between she and Toby began with her commentary about how immature Toby’s “Angry American” was with its boot reference. Toby rebuked her and it could have ended there, but alas, it was not in the cards. Now we are met with the new country music version of Wimbeldon, all of us radio folk sitting along the sidelines nervously waiting for the next statement to splatter through our fans, and splatter it does. If we play the Chicks, we are damned. If we do not, we are. When we daypart, we find an unhappy medium. We are a military town. Ask the soldiers and their families how they feel. When you do, you too will receive a ninety minute dissertation on patriotism and the Bill of Rights. Please tell me someone has some Motrin.
I keep hearing “what about their right to freedom of speech”. Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t they voice their opinion? They made what I see as a hateful, mean spirited remark about the President of a country that made them rich! I find that just a little self-centered and self-serving! It offended me along with many Americans. It does not mean that those who were not offended are in some way less of an American. We aren’t talking about freedom of speech. We are talking about the response to what they said. Don’t we have the same rights? If they believed so much in what they said, why the apology? Do I believe it was a heart felt, “I’m sorry and I wish I hadn’t said it” or “I’m sorry this is going to cost me money”. I’m going with the latter! Then they pose on a magazine cover complete with slogans and a lot of skin. Maybe it’s just me but that was just another slap in the face. Now does this mean I think their career should end because of this? Of course not! But I will not help advance it with one cent. I don’t care if they become the greatest band in the history of country music or drive a cab. I couldn’t care less! It was “their freedom of speech” that changed my opinion of them. The “Chicks” have every right to say whatever they want. No argument! But they are learning that there are consequences and that they are not always good! I once admired them and enjoyed their music. “Just so know, I am ashamed that I was once a fan of the Dixie Chicks”!
By her own admission she does not fit this definition.
One entry found for patriot.
Main Entry: pa路tri路ot
Pronunciation: ‘pA-trE-&t, -“盲t, chiefly British ‘pa-trE-&t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French patriote compatriot, from Late Latin patriota, from Greek patriOtEs, from patria lineage, from patr-, patEr father
Date: 1605
: one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests.
By her own admission and statement she does not fit this definition.
One entry found for patriot.
Main Entry: pa路tri路ot
Pronunciation: ‘pA-trE-&t, -“盲t, chiefly British ‘pa-trE-&t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French patriote compatriot, from Late Latin patriota, from Greek patriOtEs, from patria lineage, from patr-, patEr father
Date: 1605
: one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests.
By her own admission and statement she does not fit this definition.
One entry found for patriot.
Main Entry: pa路tri路ot
Pronunciation: ‘pA-trE-&t, -“盲t, chiefly British ‘pa-trE-&t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French patriote compatriot, from Late Latin patriota, from Greek patriOtEs, from patria lineage, from patr-, patEr father
Date: 1605
: one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests.
By her own admission and statement she does not fit this definition.
One entry found for patriot.
Main Entry: pa路tri路ot
Pronunciation: ‘pA-trE-&t, -“盲t, chiefly British ‘pa-trE-&t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French patriote compatriot, from Late Latin patriota, from Greek patriOtEs, from patria lineage, from patr-, patEr father
Date: 1605
: one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests.
First Maines didn’t think anything about what she said until she heard about the uproar. It was then she started her explanations. First it was a joke. Second she is just a person that feels strongly about things and voices her opinions. Third she is sorry because it was inappropriate, (translated that means, “I’m sorry this is going to hurt my career”). Will the real Natalie Maines please stand up! I don’t think she is “unpatriotic”. She lives in a country that has made her rich. She goes to another country and in front of an anti-America crowd takes a cheap shot at our Commander and Chief, which was well received by her “Fans”. It played well for her over there! Then what does she do? She returns “home” and poses nude on a magazine cover. Yes sir, that’s the all American Girl! I see that as thumbing her nose at her critics some of which use to be her fans. She suffers from the American plague that is sweeping our nation, “It’s all about me syndrome”. That’s about as American as you can get! That IS the accepted American way! She has every right to voice her opinions and she did, but don’t try and tell me how to feel or respond. I don’t need any help. I don’t think she is unpatriotic at all! Personally, I think she is a thoughtless pompous ass! The sad part is, to many she will be a hero. Many of her critics will soon forget and things will go back to “normal”. She will no longer be accountable, because if she is that means we all have to be.
It seems that Natalie was correct after all with her comments about George Bush. Bush is a lazy, incompetent know-nothing lame excuse for a human being let alone a president.
t.k.sucks.
What do you think this means?