Shut Up and Sing

I watched a really interesting documentary tonight called Shut Up and Sing, which tells the story of The Dixie Chicks controversy. The Republican hubby had no interest in watching it with me. I didn't realize how bad things had gotten for them, until I saw the footage of their police escort into a Dallas concert due to death threats. One letter actually said the date and time that their lead singer Natalie would be shot to death.

Back in 2003 I didn't realize that Natalie's comments were made during a London concert. It's no surprise to me that she got a very supportive reaction after telling the crowd "Just so you know, we're ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas." I have yet to meet a Brit who has anything good to say about Bush.

To date many radio stations south of the Mason-Dixon line still refuse to play Dixie Chicks music despite their most recent album debuting at number 1 on the charts. It would be quite an experience if Chris' job took us to one of those states. Either way, I just pray I'm home in time to vote in the next presidential election. After all, everyone knows overseas ballots have a way of disappearing :)

My favorite song from their recent album is "Not Ready to Make Nice", specifically the following verse...

I made my bed and I sleep like a baby

With no regrets and I don’t mind sayin’

It’s a sad sad story when a mother will teach her

Daughter that she ought to hate a perfect stranger

And how in the world can the words that I said

Send somebody so over the edge

That they’d write me a letter

Sayin’ that I better shut up and sing

Or my life will be over