The Chicks, Once ‘Canceled,’ Shine at Democratic Convention

More than two decades after the country music world turned its back on them for criticizing then-President George W. Bush, The Chicks took to the stage at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday to sing the national anthem.

Once known as The Dixie Chicks, the group soared to fame in the late 1990s with their unique blend of bluegrass, rock, and country music.

Performing “The Star-Spangled Banner” a cappella, the trio captivated the audience at Chicago’s United Center, many of whom waved flags in their hands. Their performance ended with a dramatic flourish, drawing cheers from the crowd.

The Chicks were one of the best-selling female groups in history but saw their career take a hit after lead singer Natalie Maines made controversial comments about President Bush in 2003.

During a concert in London, Maines expressed her shame that Bush hailed from Texas, the band’s home state. She added that the band did not support the invasion of Iraq, which was imminent at the time.

This comment ignited backlash. Country radio stations stopped playing their music, including hits like “Wide Open Spaces,” “Goodbye Earl,” “Travelin’ Soldier,” and their popular cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide.”

They faced death threats, had their albums burned, and were condemned by fellow musicians. Country singer Toby Keith even toured with an altered photo depicting Maines alongside Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

In a bold response, The Chicks appeared nude on the cover of Entertainment Weekly, their bodies covered with words like “Traitors” and “Dixie Sluts”—epithets they’d been called since making their political statements.

The term “Dixie Chicked” became shorthand for being ostracized or criticized for taking a public political stance. Even years later, many artists, including Taylor Swift, have voiced fear of a similar fate.

The band recently changed their name to The Chicks, dropping “Dixie” to distance themselves from its associations with the slavery-era Confederacy, a change inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement.

In the summer of 2020, they released their comeback album “Gaslighter.”

Their performance on Thursday came just before Kamala Harris officially accepted the Democratic nomination for vice president. It carried a clear political message.

Recently, conservatives on TikTok have been using The Chicks’ song “Not Ready to Make Nice” to voice opposition to Harris. Ironically, the song was originally written as a protest against the backlash they faced in the early 2000s.

The use of the song by social media users seems to highlight a deep irony that may be lost on many.

Source: AFP, The Chicks