The Chicks have no regrets being canceled for Bush remark: ‘Set us free’
nypost.comFormerly known as the Dixie Chicks, the country trio, composed of lead singer Natalie Maines, 48, and sisters Martie Maguire, 53, and Emily Strayer, 50, were asked if the politically-charged statement is still a “defining episode” of the group’s career.“It’s defining in the way it set us free,” Maines told the Los Angeles Times. “It got us out of this box of country music, which we never wanted to be in and never felt like that’s who we were.”“We didn’t have to do any of that bulls–t anymore.
It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, country music, please take us back.’ It was middle fingers: ‘Bye!’” she added.On March 10, 2003, while on stage in London, Maines told the audience the group was “ashamed” that Bush was from their home state of Texas.“Just so you know, we’re on the good side with y’all,” Maines said just days before the invasion of Iraq. “We do not want this war, this violence, and we’re ashamed that the president of the United States is from Texas.”The Guardian published the comment, and The Chicks were quickly shunned by American fans, country radio, and fellow country artists.But music heavyweights such as Bruce Springsteen and Madonna supported their right to speak out, although the Material Girl opted to delay her own graphic war-themed music video for “American Life” after the backlash.The Chicks’ music and concert sales also plummeted, and the Lipton iced tea brand pulled the plug on its promotional contract with the group.
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