Shut Up and Sing

The Dixie Chicks are:

a) A bunch of anti-American, Troop-hating, Communist bitches
b) The most talented women to ever emerge from Country Music
c) People I'd like to hug, and probably be pulled off cause I could not let go
d) AWESOME
e) b,c, and d. 'a' is clearly a response formulated by ass-backwards redneck pieces of garbage like Toby Keith and all of the Cletuses of the world.

hahaha

I always wanted to get a letter to Natalie Maines. It would say:

Dear Natalie:

When I went to Lilith Fair in 1999, I went to see Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, and The Pretenders. Joan, dear friend that she is (and notice, always right! Damn it Joan!) told me all along that The Dixie Chicks were incredible, but my only frame of reference at that time was 'There's Your Trouble' being played literally all day long in the Electronics department at Wal-Mart, where I worked. I grew weary of that song, but it was the only one I'd really heard or paid any attention to. I'm not a huge Country Music fan; I like a few people, and that's about it.

But from the opening notes of The Chicks' set, I was kind of speechless. I've never seen such unbridled talent from a female group! Well, the rest is history, as I bought every record after and felt glad to know that such women were representing!

Then, Dear Natalie, Conservative America decided to turn on you. I won't re-hash the whole fiasco, as we all know the details. And, based on the last album, you're still not quite over it, and most likely will always hold some hurt feelings about it all, regardless of the strong demeanor you project to us, the public.

What I'd like to say to you is:
1) You have more integrity in a single strand of your blonde hair than the entire Bush cabinet.
2) My Hero in life, Madonna, said much worse (and it's all on DVD for us to listen to anytime we want!), but no one batted an eye. In fact, I'd guess that no one even knows she said worse. What I've always loved about her is that she says what she feels, at all times. And doesn't apologize. Good for her! And Good for YOU! I might not agree with either of you, or, I might agree with you both. Either way, I can't see hating on you, or anyone, because of something they said. See, I'm a Christian, which really means, I can't judge or hate on anyone. Not if I take this Christianity thing seriously. And I do. But I'm not sure others understand what it means.
3) Enough about politics and religion. I just want to hear your MUSIC. Which is really what you're about. And the music, well; it's fabulous.

Congrats on the #1 album, the successful tour, and the GRAMMYS!!! You never need to feel that your career is over; after all, I think one of the people in the documentary said it best:

I think you give the general public too much credit.
They're not that bright.

In other words, I'd ignore the CD-stompers, the people calling for boycotts, and the haters. I'd laugh, really, just as you did in the documentary.

I was present once when a very nice woman was mentioning how great Toby Keith's 'patriotic' anthem was. She was truly proud that he made such bold statements as "We're going to kick people's ass!" and "F You, America is THE BEST!"

What a Jackass. Yeah, that makes America look SMART. Sorry, that wasn't nice. Like I said, I am a Christian. So I'll try not to be so harsh on Toby. I just don't tolerate ignorance well, is all. Or Rednecks.

What truly wasn't funny at all were the death threats, the woman who said you should be strapped to a bomb and dropped in Iraq, and the woman who encouraged her child to yell out cruel taunts.

?????????

I don't know what's wrong with such people, but I pray for their well-being. Srong opinions are great, but threats and disrespect are never called for. Sheesh.

So, Natalie, I just wanted to end by saying Thanks. Thanks for sharing your talent with us; you, Emily, and Martie. Those girls are amazing, in more ways than one. And so are you. Thanks to all of The Dixie Chicks for the great music! Keep it coming. And please, Natalie, Don't ever shut up. There'd be too much silence. ;)

Sincerely,

Marty

Yeah, I wish ol' Natalie would surf the net and find my letter. The documentary was well-done, and worth viewing, for documentary fans, Chicks fans, and just anyone interested in learning about musicians. I've said before, but I do think it's sad that music, literature, and film are businesses, and the artist is put in such odd positions. Ah, to live in the days when you could be a complete drunkard and still be a great writer! I'm looking in your direction, Edgar Allan Poe. haha Poe Rules.

Anyhoo, check it out. Good stuff.

'Course, I love The Chicks. So it was all good for me.

Have a good weekend...