Brian
05-06-2003, 08:08 PM
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20030506/ap_on_en_mu/djs_dixie_chicks_3
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Country-music station KKCS has suspended two disc jockeys for playing songs by the Dixie Chicks (news - web sites) in violation of a ban imposed after one group member criticized President Bush (news - web sites).
Station manager Jerry Grant said he banned the music after lead singer Natalie Maines (news) told a London audience on March 10: "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."
The comment was made as war was looming with Iraq (news - web sites), and Maines later apologized. But her remark brought the group a flood of criticism and media attention.
"We pulled their music two months ago, and it's been a difficult decision because how can you ignore the hottest group in country music," Grant said.
He said there has been discussion about whether to reinstate the music, but DJs Dave Moore and Jeff Singer became impatient.
"They made it very clear that they support wholeheartedly the president of the United States. They support wholeheartedly the troops, the military. But they also support the right of free speech," Grant said.
The station has received a couple of hundred calls and 75 percent favored playing the music.
Grant said Moore and Singer will be out for a couple of days.
"I gave them an alternative: stop it now and they'll be on suspension, or they can continue playing them and when they come out of the studio they won't have a job."
The station plans to play the group's music eventually.
"Most stations are starting to play them again anyhow a song here, a song there. I just have a problem with the way this was done. We would have put them in anyhow. But we'd like to do it on our terms," he said.
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I have one thing to say about this: It is stupid. I think the media and the radio stations across the U.S. are blowing this thing all out of proportion.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Country-music station KKCS has suspended two disc jockeys for playing songs by the Dixie Chicks (news - web sites) in violation of a ban imposed after one group member criticized President Bush (news - web sites).
Station manager Jerry Grant said he banned the music after lead singer Natalie Maines (news) told a London audience on March 10: "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."
The comment was made as war was looming with Iraq (news - web sites), and Maines later apologized. But her remark brought the group a flood of criticism and media attention.
"We pulled their music two months ago, and it's been a difficult decision because how can you ignore the hottest group in country music," Grant said.
He said there has been discussion about whether to reinstate the music, but DJs Dave Moore and Jeff Singer became impatient.
"They made it very clear that they support wholeheartedly the president of the United States. They support wholeheartedly the troops, the military. But they also support the right of free speech," Grant said.
The station has received a couple of hundred calls and 75 percent favored playing the music.
Grant said Moore and Singer will be out for a couple of days.
"I gave them an alternative: stop it now and they'll be on suspension, or they can continue playing them and when they come out of the studio they won't have a job."
The station plans to play the group's music eventually.
"Most stations are starting to play them again anyhow a song here, a song there. I just have a problem with the way this was done. We would have put them in anyhow. But we'd like to do it on our terms," he said.
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I have one thing to say about this: It is stupid. I think the media and the radio stations across the U.S. are blowing this thing all out of proportion.