2008 Woodie Awards
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TechnographFamous politicos and Academy voters: an award-worthy match
By Jacob Dial
Posted: 2/19/07 Section: Opinion Columns
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When I was in grade school I listened to Weird Al Yankovic and Presidents of the United States of America. When I began to understand what real music was, I listened to Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton and Blues Traveler. I can barely read music and I don't hold a music degree but I played the oboe in grade school (quite well I think).
However, I think I should know what good music sounds like. And if I don't, then the American public should. The music that won awards at last weekend's Grammys is not it.
Congratulations are due to the Dixie Chicks. They took home five Grammys for their 2006 album "Taking the Long Way" that should have been earmarked for any other group than themselves (like the legendary Red Hot Chili Peppers for example.)
After Tipper Gore decided that censorship was needed for current music, I thought that Hollywood would be off the backs of Republicans. Isn't censorship supposed to be the monstrosity of the Republican Party?
However, the Dixie Chicks have proven that voting members of the entertainment elite have zero interest in music, only in politics.
The Dixie Chicks sold fewer albums last year than The Pussycat Dolls, the soundtrack of "High School Musical" and Nickelback (I didn't think Chad Kroeger knew how to form complete sentences.)
Evidently, politics can overcome disappointing sales. If you have opinions that the Academy agrees with (See: Green Day's "American Idiot") then all the better.
The Dixie Chicks themselves have abandoned country music. They understand that they really aren't welcome in Nashville anymore after lead singer Natalie Maines remarked at a London concert in 2003 that she was ashamed that President Bush also hailed from the state of Texas.
Yet despite four country artists selling more albums in 2006 than the Dixie Chicks (six additional country albums made the top fifty) they walk away with the country album of the year award not because of their talent, but because of a small group of Academy voters' displeasures with our President.
However, I think I should know what good music sounds like. And if I don't, then the American public should. The music that won awards at last weekend's Grammys is not it.
Congratulations are due to the Dixie Chicks. They took home five Grammys for their 2006 album "Taking the Long Way" that should have been earmarked for any other group than themselves (like the legendary Red Hot Chili Peppers for example.)
After Tipper Gore decided that censorship was needed for current music, I thought that Hollywood would be off the backs of Republicans. Isn't censorship supposed to be the monstrosity of the Republican Party?
However, the Dixie Chicks have proven that voting members of the entertainment elite have zero interest in music, only in politics.
The Dixie Chicks sold fewer albums last year than The Pussycat Dolls, the soundtrack of "High School Musical" and Nickelback (I didn't think Chad Kroeger knew how to form complete sentences.)
Evidently, politics can overcome disappointing sales. If you have opinions that the Academy agrees with (See: Green Day's "American Idiot") then all the better.
The Dixie Chicks themselves have abandoned country music. They understand that they really aren't welcome in Nashville anymore after lead singer Natalie Maines remarked at a London concert in 2003 that she was ashamed that President Bush also hailed from the state of Texas.
Yet despite four country artists selling more albums in 2006 than the Dixie Chicks (six additional country albums made the top fifty) they walk away with the country album of the year award not because of their talent, but because of a small group of Academy voters' displeasures with our President.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Joe Futrelle
posted 2/19/07 @ 1:29 PM CST
Regardless of what you think of the Dixie Chicks, it's factually incorrect to claim that "without [George W. Bush], they would just be one more country band that Hollywood wouldn't pay any attention to. (Continued…)
Ed Sommers
posted 2/20/07 @ 7:49 AM CST
Apparently, Republicans' skill in evaluating the talent of musicians, is no better than their skill in evaluating the talent of politicians.
Mr Dial says ". (Continued…)
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