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| From | "Michael Bennett" <mrhonorama@hotmail.com> |
| Subject | Re: Dixie Chicks on EW |
| Date | Fri, 25 Apr 2003 12:24:47 -0500 |
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Greg Sager wrote:
> Wait a minute. Who are you to judge the intentions of Keith and
>Worley? Why is the sincerity of artists who hold a different political
>position to yours suspect, while those with whom you agree (Maines) get
>plaudits such as "a triumph of art with commerce"? Where is the fairness in
>that? Or do you have firsthand knowledge that Keith and Worley are
>releasing
>patriotic-themed songs as a cynical marketing ploy? Frankly, I think that
>the Golden Rule and the principle "innocent until proven guilty" entitles
>Keith and Worley to every bit the presumption of sincerity regarding their
>political stances as Maines deserves regarding hers.
Very well said, Greg. I'm extremely left wing, and from that perspective I
take issue of the content of Toby Keith and Darryl Worley's songs, but I
didn't think of either as canny marketing ploys -- I thought this expressed
what they wanted to say.
Country music is rooted in populism. This often leads to dichotomys -- look
at artists like Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard, who often wrote songs that
strongly identified with the working class with a compassion that liberals
would love -- yet they could also go the other way -- "Okie From Muskogee"
anyone?
The fervor to scathe the Dixie Chicks seemed stupid to me, but the folks who
burned the discs, called the radio stations, etc. certainly had a right to
do so. Just like someone has a right to boycott Michael Jackson or R. Kelly
records due to the scandals that mar them.
Mike Bennett
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