USA: The Dixie Chicks speak about "Shut Up and Sing", new film on controversy surrounding their criticism of American President George Bush

American country music trio Dixie Chicks star in a new film 'Shut Up and Sing', that takes a look at how they reacted to and stuck together in the immediate aftermath of the Bush controversy that threatened to break their careers. Directed by two-time Academy Award winning filmmaker Barbara Kopple and Cecilia Peck, the film follows the lives of The Dixie Chicks' lead singer Natalie Maines, Emily Robison, and Martie Maguire after a 2003 London concert that happened to coincide with the start of the Iraq war. At the concert in Shepherds Bush in London, Maines spoke of being ashamed of the fact that Bush was from Texas. The comment, although well received in London, created a huge political storm on the other side of the Atlantic and led to Bush supporters denouncing the band and many country music fans boycotting their music. Speaking to Reuters about the film, Maines said she believes that that those actions did not reflect the views of many, but just a handful of people. The singer who later said she regretted apologizing to President Bush about making that comment said she would not have done things differently if she had the chance. "I am proud to forever be associated with free speech and standing up for myself and my right for that. That's nothing I'll ever want to shake. I watch the film and I am proud of the way that we dealt with things and didn't sacrifice who were are for financial gain," she said. The outrage came at a time when support for the war and Bush's performance was at an all time high. The new film shows how country music fans went on a rampage and destroyed cds of the Chicks, calling them traitors and asking them to move to France. At some point Maines received death threats as well. Radio stations stopped playing their music and and television and radio talk show hosts condemned their words as anti-American. However, the group stuck together and continued to make music and perform. "I don't know, I think we are people pleasers a little bit more than Natalie has the drive to be and to a fault we are and I know in myself, I used to care what everybody thought about me and I didn't want anyone to not like me and I think in the last three years its so freeing to realize not everybody has to like you, not everybody has to approve of what you do. It's ok. You just have to know that you're doing the right thing for yourself and for your family and as a citizen," said Emily Robison, speaking on what it felt like to be targeted by so many. In the last few months, criticism has mounted on the Bush administration regarding the handling of the Iraq war. On Thursday (October 26) five U.S. troops were killed in Iraq, the military said on Thursday, edging their death toll for October close to 100. President George W. Bush faces pressure over the war, 10 days before tight congressional elections. The Reuters/Zogby poll found about 50 percent of likely voters believe U.S. troops should be pulled out of Iraq by the end of next year. Fifteen percent want an immediate withdrawal. 41 percent agreed troops should stay "until the situation is stable", despite losses that have seen 96 military deaths in October so far, the highest monthly toll for a year and nearly the highest in two. Considering all of this, do The Dixie Chicks feel vindicated now? "I am encouraged seeing people kind of asking more questions. I don't think its because of anything we did. But naturally just people used to just take what the president said at face value and not ask as many hard questions as they should have been asking and people are waking up a little bit more and I like to see that for sure," said Martie Macguire, speaking about how people react to them and their music now Maines' comments mean that the group has lost out on their core audience. But they are not unhappy about that. 'Taking the Long Way', their new album, released this past June is a far more political and revolutionary album for the trio than any of their previous albums. Robison feels that the controversy has strengthened their resolve to make better and stronger music, even if that is for a smaller audience. The film addresses that new-found inspiration and rediscovery. The film is also an effort to let people know of what it is like to be in the eye of the storm. "It didn't matter if we explained ourselves. We were going to be taught a lesson or used as an example to show that you don't speak out and that was that. So, eventually we just sort of sat back and let it all unfold and I think the movie is the first time the truth is out there. So I feel like there has been a need for us to continue to answer questions and try and get people to know what went on. But I think after the film, hopefully, there'll be no question that anyone can think to ask. Its all right there, very honest, we did not censor anything," said Maines. 'Shut Up and Sing' opens in theaters on Friday October 27.

ITN Source | November 2, 2006

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