They win five Grammys, including country album AND record of the year...without any country radio airplay. :mrgreen: I still think that Gnarls Barkley should have had song of the year tho*.
In 2003, they were dropped by country radio over here as being "unAmerican" for Natalie Maines saying that she was ashamed that the Chimperor was from Texas. Thats it, thats all she said--but they got pulled from the radio, had death threats, and some communities organized Chicks CD smashings with tractors and steam rollers. It was ghastly. :( They were just artists voicing an opinion in "the land of the free". But this was when every other car sported window flags, and "freedom isnt free" stickers. Ugh.
So country radio STILL refuses to play them three years later, but screw the establishment--they still had record sales and concert receipts. :D They join Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn, who have been snubbed by Nashville in recent years, only to be recognized by their peers at the Grammy awards.
The record, Taking the Long Way, is pretty good, imho. Most of the wingnuts say it won because of politics, but after a critical listen to it, Id have to say it stands on its own. Its a good pop record with a country edge, with more in common with the Eagles and Gram Parsons, than Bill Monroe or Earnest Tubb. Nothing wrong with that. Good songwriting. If you like a bit of sugary--but not too saccharine music, its worth a listen.
Heres the performance at the Grammys:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/02/11/the-dixie-chicks-win-the-grammy/
*St. Elsewhere is just astounding!