We're always looking for a new way to fight back the tide of bigotry and hatred that is the Neocon movement (I specifically say Neocon because I don't want to lump the few rational fiscal conservatives in with the bunch). We've fought them in the newspapers, we've fought them on the blogsphere, we've fought them on Television, and we've fought them in the court of public opinion. But now I think I've found a new way to get back at the people destroying our country, and it's as easy as making a phone call and requesting a song.
As you may have seen in
this news article, country radio still continues to be afraid to play the music of The Dixie Chicks. Because, of course, they committed the unforgiveable sin of speaking out against President Bush...three years ago. Well, it's time we fight back, and have The Dixie Chicks back.
You may or may not have heard, but the band has a new album called "Taking The Long Way" in stores May 23rd. A new single is out now ahead of the album, called "Not Ready To Make Nice", and is currently sitting at #36 on the country charts. But it is only in rotation at 41 of the 123 country stations that Billboard monitors. It simply is being played in large urban markets, which accounts for the chart success thus far.
For your reading pleasure, a short quote from the song.
"I'm not ready to make nice
I'm not ready to back down
I'm still mad as hell and
I don't have time to go round and round and round
It's too late to make it right
I probably wouldn't if I could
`Cause I'm mad as hell
Can't bring myself to do what it is you think I should"
Sounds like the kind of thing we need country music listeners to be hearing. Who knows, that one 20 something kid from a swing state who hears that and thinks "what, there's another opinion besides what my parents told me?" might just cast a vote that turns the tide. You never know.
Here is an excerpt from the article which just chills me to the bone.
"Not all big cities are playing it, though. WIL-FM in St. Louis, which hasn't had the Chicks in rotation since 2003, gave "Not Ready to Make Nice" a trial run and decided against adding it to the playlist after listeners complained with calls and e-mails."
Can you believe that? Three years after their singer made a comment overseas, the fundie's and neocons are still so riled up that simply playing a song got the station enough complaints to keep the song off of the air.
Well, that's where we come in. Every single one of us has a local country music station...and every single one of us should be calling that station and requesting "Not Ready To Make Nice." Doesn't matter if you listen to the genre, doesn't matter if you'll even listen to see if they play it. These stations need to be hearing from the other side of the coin. They need to be hearing how much we want to hear this song and how we will be more than ready to switch the dial if another station does and they don't.
While pushing "Not Ready To Make Nice" into the top 10 might not win an election, it'd be a nice kick in the balls to an establishment that things they have all the control on this front. And some days, just getting to kick them in the balls is enough to keep you fighting another day.
I've called my station, I hope you all will call yours. Lets show these people we're willing to support the artists who dare to speak up, and won't accept blacklisting in the year 2006.